M's making their move.

Byline: Adam Jude The Register-Guard

SEATTLE - It was the kind of night that offered the unmistakable feel of October, providing the Seattle Mariners and their fans a buzz that has long been missed at Safeco Field.

The theater was so riveting at the ballpark that the Mariners dragged out the drama a little longer than they had to Wednesday night, nearly giving away what was no doubt their biggest game in four years.

In the 12th inning, on center stage under the late-night lights, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt hit a walk-off single to lift the Mariners to an 8-7 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, which brought Seattle within three games of the Angels in the American League West and just a half-game back in the wild-card chase.

The thrill of a late-summer pennant race has returned to the Northwest.

"It was a game we had to win," Betancourt said after being swarmed by teammates on the field. "It was very emotional for us."

With the series win, Seattle (59-47) affirmed its place as a postseason contender. A loss would have dropped the Mariners five back in the division, a much more imposing obstacle with less than two months left in the regular season.

Lights-out closer J.J. Putz, who has typified Seattle's unexpected emergence, blew a rare save opportunity to temporarily quiet a raucous Safeco crowd. The Angels scored three runs in the ninth to tie the score at 7-7, but after he had carried the club all season, the Mariners for once picked up Putz.

Before the start of the series Monday, many in the Seattle clubhouse said the goal was to prove to the Angels they are a legitimate threat.

"They know we're there," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "We know what's at stake, and we're ready for it."

The Mariners are again the hot commodity in Seattle, with the series that starts tonight against Boston nearly sold out. The club's latest promotion promises that the "Mojo is Rising" again. That the M's might have anything resembling "mojo" has to be a good thing for fans craving a championship.

The Mariners haven't reached the postseason since 2001 and haven't played a meaningful pennant-chasing game since 2003. That the Mariners are in this position is something few envisioned before the season, when most projected Seattle to finish last in its division for the fourth year in a row.

"It's a great feeling to know you're playing a game that means something," said McLaren, who took control of the club July 2 after Mike Hargrove's abrupt resignation. "This is why you wear the uniform, and hopefully we'll win a ring."

For that to happen, Ichiro has to continue to be as great as a one-named star should. The All-Star Game MVP was hitting .351 entering Thursday, best in baseball, and last month the Japanese center fielder signed a five-year contract extension, reportedly worth about $100 million with incentives.

"I can see the determination of Ichiro," McLaren said. "He's found that he can be a leader here, and he's starting to pick up on that. ... And it's great for us, because he's our best player and when your best player speaks up, it carries extra weight."

Seattle's bullpen, led by Putz, whom McLaren called the best reliever in baseball, has five pitchers 26 or younger, but the group has posted an impressive 3.65 ERA.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre has powered the offense lately, hitting .314 with 30 RBIs in July. Right fielder Jose Guillen (team-high 63 RBIs) has been a welcome offseason addition, and the team ranks fourth overall in the majors with a .280 average.

Seattle did not make any acquisitions before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline, a gesture that most in the clubhouse accepted openly, agreeing that the chemistry is too good to mess with.

"I'm very confident with the team we have in the clubhouse," McLaren said. "We don't have a glaring hole, I don't think, and we're happy with where we are."

That doesn't mean there aren't question marks - because there are plenty - and at least one significant change was made this week.

After Wednesday's victory, McLaren announced that the club will today call up outfielder Adam Jones, its top prospect and someone McLaren labeled a future superstar after tearing up Triple-A this season. Fans and local media have been calling for Jones' arrival for weeks, especially with the recent struggles of veterans Raul Ibanez (six HRs) and Richie Sexson (.198).

The starting rotation of Felix Hernandez, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista probably wouldn't scare any opposing lineup in a short playoff series, to say nothing of Horacio Ramirez (6.52 ERA) and the volatile Jeff Weaver (2-10).

But again, the fact that postseason scenarios and matchups can be considered at this juncture is a sure sign of the club's turnaround from the past three seasons.

"Things are going pretty good, man," Hernandez said. "We're playing good, and we're going to win a lot more games."

In other words, the mojo is back.

Elaine Thompson / The Associated Press

WEDNESDAY

Ex-Beaver Jamie Burke perseveres with Mariners. Read it online at www.registerguard.com/

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THURSDAY

John McLaren is in a position that few expected. Read it online at www.registerguard.com/

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TODAY

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