TUCSON - It might have been “just spring training,” as Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly said, but the action can get quite heated at times — which it did at Tucson Electric Park on Monday.

Seattle seems to have a good feeling about the strength of the Diamondbacks organization.

SEATTLE — A woman may be elected vice president of the United States in November. Another woman nearly became the Democratic nominee for president, winning primaries in 21 states.

TUCSON - After pitching in a Cactus League game Saturday for the first time in two weeks and just the third time this spring, Curt Schilling said he has one more objective to accomplish this spring.

SEATTLE — Eric Byrnes does not care what his role becomes. Just hearing Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik say he believes Byrnes can still contribute after two injury-plagued season was good enough.

Four teams, 1,400 hits, two bad hamstrings, a broken left hand and a hit TV show later, Eric Byrnes is ready for something new. Even if it is a little strange wearing another uniform.

Unless Seattle wins 12 more games, it will become the first “100-100” team in major league history. It is not a good thing. The Mariners would be the first team to lose 100 games with a payroll of at least $100 million.

TUCSON - It might have been “just spring training,” as Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly said, but the action can get quite heated at times — which it did at Tucson Electric Park on Monday.

The only thing the Mariners can't limit with Ken Griffey Jr. as he begins his return to Seattle is his humor — already in midseason form.

Seattle is coming after some of the Diamondbacks' top executives.

Like the Diamondbacks, Seattle has made starting pitching an offseason priority, and it appears the Mariners have the high offer on the table for Japanese free agent Hiroki Kuroda.

SEATTLE — There were no apologizes coming from the Seattle Mariners clubhouse for how they finally got back above the .500 mark. All Arizona's Tony Clark wanted to do was say he was sorry. The most routine of plays — a throw across the infield — resulted in a wacky finish that left players and managers on both sides stunned and speechless.

PEORIA, Ariz. — The memories hit Jeff Weaver when he's alone, along with questions he still doesn't know the answer to. Funny how life works. One day, you're being designated for assignment because your little brother took your job. The next you're a hero, a World Series hero, an improbable inspiration.

Good thing there is a retractable roof at Safeco Field — the sky is falling.

Jose Lopez is not a happy camper, and he doesn't like to play baseball that way. The Seattle Mariners infielder is frustrated with a spring training position switch. The 26-year-old Lopez has played second base almost exclusively for the past four seasons, but this spring he's being tried out at third base.

He was Dan the Man to his fans, and Dan Wilson is the man again, if you ask the Seattle Mariners’ catchers.

SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners have agreed to pay veteran free agent right hander Miguel Batista more than $24 million in a three-year contract, according to newspaper reports published Tuesday.

SEATTLE — The potential for this kind of moment was what brought Ken Griffey Jr. back to Seattle this spring after a decade away.

PEORIA — Russell Branyan's first home run of the spring wasn't even his most impressive hit. That came on the Seattle first baseman's double off the 30-foot high wall that stands atop a 12-foot high wall in center field, which drove in two runs during the Mariners' 11-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

TUCSON — The anticipated spring pitching matchup of Seattle ace Cliff Lee and his Arizona counterpart Dan Haren ended abruptly when Lee was tossed from the game for allegedly throwing at the Diamondbacks' Chris Snyder.

It was easily the most cluttered area of the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse at Peoria Sports Complex on Tuesday — rows of suitcases, with a sign above them reading “Japan luggage.”