Knobler: Did the Mariners win because of some (Ichiro) subtraction?

Only if Ichiro wanted them to. Natch.

So are they winning now because Ichiro Suzuki is gone?

“Like what, Ichiro’s gone and now we’re unbeatable? No,” catcher John Jaso said Friday, before the Mariners’ streak ended with a 6-3 loss to the Yankees.

There are those in the Mariner clubhouse who do think there’s a link, although I couldn’t find any willing to say so publicly. And to be fair, there are also plenty who insist there’s no impact, whether they’re speaking publicly or privately.

“I think we were a bunch of young kids who were starting to figure it out,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “I thought the kids after the [All-Star] break would play pretty good.”

...Still, it’s clear that Mariners management loved the idea of moving past the Ichiro era, and that Wedge loved the idea of being able to write young players’ names into the top three spots in his lineup.

What isn’t clear is whether there’s any greater meaning in the recent hot streak, whether it’s either a result of Ichiro leaving or even simply a sign that Zduriencik’s rebuilding plan is beginning to work.