Article: SEXSON, BELTRE MUST WARM UP ENGINES.(Sports)

Byline: TED MILLERP-I COLUMNIST

PEORIA, Ariz. -- If you stopped paying attention to the Mariners before the All-Star break last year, you probably did so after reaching two conclusions: 1) The Mariners are infuriating to watch because they can't win close games; and, 2) Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson are $23 million worth of a whole lot of nothing.

Before the break, 23 of the Mariners' 46 defeats came by one or two runs. That's notable but not astounding. But a 7-13 start featured nine one- or two-run losses, and an enthusiasm-killing six-game losing streak in late May featured five one- or two-run defeats.

On May 25, Beltre was batting ...

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