EVEN RHUBARB SMACKED THE COVER OFF THE BALL >>>

Remember how I was scared of losing Mike Wilson and Carlos Peguero to the Rainiers' big, bad brother to the north? How I said the loss of two of the Rainiers' FEW offensive producers could leave some holes in the lineup ... decrease run production, decrease the number of homeruns hit, decrease the team's combined OPS ... all while increasing the need to drink at the ballpark.

Nuts to that. As the Rainiers proved in last night's 13-3 shellacking of the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the team can drive in runs without Peguero or Wilson.  I mean, it won't be easy. But they can do it. They've shown they can.

-Franklin Gutierrez provided a healthy dose of offense in last night's smack down over the RedHawks. Guti went 2-for-4 with a three run double. Good stuff from a guy who has had Mariners and Rainiers fans anxiously fearing word of another mysterious illnesses.

-It wasn't just Gutierrez last night, either. Most of the team got in on the sweet action. The team's fifteen hits tied a Rainiers season high. The team scored in seven of the nine innings.  Matt Tuiasosopo and Alex Liddi went yard.  Five players hit doubles. At one point late in the eighth inning, the third baseman from the RedHawks threw his glove down in disgust.

Well, technically I'm not sure if that last part happened because it wasn't reported on the radio or shown on MiLB.tv. But it probably happened. Because the Rainiers kicked ass.

-Of course, this week hasn't been all ass kicking. The team has lost four of its last five, including a 3-1 loss to ex-Rainier Ryan Roland-Smith. Luckily, no one really minds when the Hyphen beats you. He's such a lovable Ausi. Just look at his twitter.

Our boys of summer try to continue their hitting ways today against the RedHawks before traveling to Metairie, Louisiana to face the Zephyrs. No word yet on which players will stay behind in Oklahoma to catch the Mark Harmon Celebrity Weekend. Johan Limonata seems like a huge NCIS fan.