Final score: Mariners 7, Blue Jays 2

Hey, Mariners fans. Guess what?

The Mariners are actually looking good these days.

Shh, don’t repeat that too loudly. I’m not trying to incur the laughter of 29 other MLB teams (okay, 19) who aren’t floundering 12 games out of first place.

If the Blue Jays manage to roll over a third time, however, the Mariners could be looking at their eighth win and second sweep in a ten-game homestand.

Amidst the colorful and uncreative insults of 21,432 Toronto fans, Jason Vargas retired the first 7 Blue Jays and pitched his way to a fifth consecutive win, staying through 7 innings with 5 hits, 2 earned runs, a walk, and 4 strikeouts.

Over the past month, he’s gone 5-0 with a 1.46 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. Raise your hand if you’re happy he’s still a Mariner after the trade deadline expired today.

Speaking of players the Mariners refused to shed this week, Brendan Ryan collected the most hits out of a 12-hit game, going 3-for-4 with a handful of singles and an RBI. Not to discredit the magnitude of this win, or the contributions of every player (save Casper Wells and Michael Saunders, both 0-fer tonight), but there’s little that can top Ryan getting showered with beer and ketchup after crossing the Mendoza line.

Tomorrow, win or loss, the Mariners finish their homestand and gear up for a 9-game road trip to New York, Baltimore, and Anaheim. It will be the second time since last week’s trade that they will face the hot-hitting Ichiro, who has recorded a hit for each game he’s played in pinstripes.

Next game: vs. Blue Jays | August 1 | 7:10pm