Just how good have Mariners starters been lately?

Erik Bedard allowed three hits over 8.0 innings with nine strikeouts in his last outing, at San Diego. / Drew McKenzie, Sportspress Northwest

In their past nine starts, and heading into Monday’s game at Minnesota, Mariners starting pitchers have thrown at least 7.0 innings and allowed two or fewer runs. Collectively over that span, Mariners starters have posted a 0.77 ERA and an opponent batting average of .160.

More impressive is that over the course of this month, Mariners starters have a combined 2.09 ERA and a strikeouts-to-walks ratio of 4.76. Both numbers are the best in a calendar month by an American League starting rotation since 2000.

Year	Month	Team	SO	BB	SO/BB	ERA
2011	May	Mariners	119	25	4.76	2.09
2011	May	Tigers	82	32	2.14	2.10
2002	August	Athletics	125	49	2.55	2.34
2005	August	Athletics	146	52	2.81	2.34
2007	April	Athletics	116	48	2.42	2.44
2005	Sept.	Indians	131	48	2.73	2.54
2011	May	Athletics	98	36	2.72	2.54
2006	June	Twins	122	27	4.52	2.60
2002	Sept.	Yankees	156	39	4.00	2.70
2003	July	Athletics	143	48	2.98	2.74
2008	May	Indians	113	43	2.63	2.76
2010	April	Rays	128	54	2.37	2.76
2011	April	Athletics	132	48	2.75	2.76