AMERICAN LEAGUE: AROUND THE HORN MARINERS' HOT START A REAL HEAD SCRATCHER.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

TORONTO - Even the Seattle Mariners are surprised by the hot start of the Seattle Mariners.

Off to a 19-4 record going into the weekend, the Mariners have their best start in franchise history. The 19 wins equal the most ever in April, tying the 1997 Atlanta Braves.

For their first 19 games of the season, all against AL West opponents, Mariners manager Lou Piniella simply wanted to stay above water. But the Mariners went 15-4.

``Ten wins, even nine wins, would have put us in pretty good shape,'' Piniella said. ``This is one of those thing you don't expect. It's been a real good start. But all I'm taking it for is a real good start.''

Said center fielder Mike Cameron: ``This is fun, like Little League where you win every day. I'm definitely enjoying it.''

Ichiro Suzuki has been a big part of the team's success, but it was never like this when he played for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan.

``I've never been on a team like this,'' he said.

--Little big man: Angels infielder David Eckstein is listed in the media guide at 5-foot-8, 170 pounds, but he's closer to 5-7, 160. Either way, the Angels overlooked his lack of size when they claimed him off waivers from the Boston Red Sox last August.

It has paid off, and Eckstein has emerged as a key player for the club this season. Going into the weekend, he was hitting .322 and held a team- best on-base percentage of .424.

``It didn't keep us from taking a chance,'' Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said, referring to Eckstein's size. ``But I would venture to say it would keep other teams from taking a chance. Scouts today are looking for the biggest, fastest, strongest guys. But one thing we talk to scouts about is heart, how he plays with the tools he has. It showed up in our (scouting) reports and it showed up when he arrived in spring training.''

--Take it easy, boss: The New York Yankees are looking up at the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East, struggling to stay above the .500 mark. Owner George Steinbrenner, though, has not exploded. Yet.

``I talked to him the other day and we both agree things will get better,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said.

Torre has a way of handling Steinbrenner's antics during times of trouble, and his message to the Boss was a simple one.

``Last (September) taught me to be more aware of where you are in the division instead of your record,'' he said. ``You want to make sure you are within range when you put a streak together.''

--Thanks, ump: During last Wednesday's game between the Angels and Cleveland Indians, Angels reliever Al Levine threw a couple of inside pitches that forced the Indians' Russell Branyan to jump out of the way.

After the second one, Branyan glared at Levine. Aware that Levine wasn't trying to hit anyone - it was a two-run game - home-plate umpire John Schulock stepped in and had a little chat with Branyan.

Branyan complained Levine was trying to hit him. Schulock told him no, that Levine was setting him up to throw a pitch outside. So Branyan got back in the batter's box, and on the next pitch, he lined a fastball on the outside corner to left field for a double.

--Giambi in limbo: First baseman Jason Giambi and the Oakland A's remain at an impasse in talks about a contract extension. They've talked about a deal for $91 million over six years, but the holdup seems to be Giambi's insistence on a no-trade clause.

``I'm playing this year out,'' Giambi said. ``And hopefully something will get done before that comes along. But if not, then that will be a decision that's made at the end of the year.''

--Bobbleheaded Thome: Last week the Indians had a Jim Thome Bobblehead giveaway, but Thome was in such a slump he wasn't in the starting lineup. He did enter the game in the ninth as a pinch hitter and struck out.

The game went extra innings and Thome got another chance. With the Indians trailing the Tigers 3-2 in the 11th inning, he hit a game-winning, two-run homer.

--Never say die: Travis Phelps, an 89th-round draft pick, has been called up by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, becoming the lowest draft choice to reach the majors. His record should stand because the draft lasts only 50 rounds now.

``It didn't seem possible at the time (he was drafted),'' said Phelps, who replaced former Angel Ken Hill on the roster.