1.   A hitting drought affecting almost the entire Mariner lineup began a week ago and never ended.

2.   Doug Mirabelli blames the hitting drought on a photographer in the bullpen and starts flicking sunflower seeds at him.

3.   Now, he catches the Diamondbacks in a hitting drought.

4.   The hitting drought occurred with Butch Huskey, who has had a balky right knee, in the dugout, benched in the sixth inning.

5.   Their mistakes are countered by clutch plays, their hitting droughts are broken by surges of power.

6.   Though Buhner bounced into double plays in his final two at-bats, there were signs that he is emerging from a dreadful hitting drought.

7.   USC might be inconsistent, lack bullpen stoppers and prone to hitting droughts, but the Trojans win with starting pitchers and experience.