Joe Saunders spun 6 1/3 scoreless innings in Monday's 3-0 victory over the Astros.

He gave up six singles, walked one and punched out five batters. Saunders struggled in spring training and in his first start of the season, but it's nothing the Astros' lineup couldn't cure. He'll have a much tougher challenge this weekend against the Rangers.

Tom Wilhelmsen nailed down his first save chance of the season Monday, tossing a scoreless inning in a win over the Athletics.

Wilhelmsen issued a two-out free pass with a two-run lead but was able to retire Brandon Moss on a flyout to end it. "The Bartender" posted a 1.67 ERA and 9.5 K/9 rate while converting 29 of 34 save chances from June on last season and should be a quality fantasy closer again in 2013.

Tom Wilhelmsen notched his 26th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's win over the Blue Jays.

He struck out the first two of the inning and then got Yunel Escobar to fly out following a two-out walk. Wilhelmsen has turned into one of the best closers in baseball after assuming the job in early June, as he now boasts a 2.50 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 75 strikeouts over 68 1/3 innings.

Tom Wilhelmsen will be available on Saturday.

The Mariners' first-year closer was excused earlier this week after his wife went back into labor. Wilhelmsen is enjoying a solid season, with a sparkling 2.43 ERA, 15 saves and a 65/17 K/BB ratio over 55 2/3 innings.

Tom Wilhelmsen is back with the Mariners on Tuesday.

Wilhlemsen was excused from the Mariners on Monday after his wife went into labor, but she still hasn't given birth. He could be pulled away from the team again soon.

Tom Wilhelmsen retired all three batters he faced on Tuesday against the Yankees, picking up his 11th save.

He struck out two batters in the dominating outing. Wilhelmsen has made it impossible for Brandon League to regain his old job. The 28-year-old right-hander has double the K/9 rate of League's to go along with a 2.31 ERA on the season. Wilhelmsen has converted 11-of-13 save opportunities. He has become a valuable fantasy commodity since stealing League's gig.

Tom Wilhelmsen retired all three batters he faced on Saturday against the Rays, picking up his ninth save.

While the Mariners may have wanted to sneak Brandon League back into the ninth-inning role to build up his trade value, Wilhelmsen has made it exceedingly difficult with as well as he's pitched. The 28-year-old right-hander has a 2.40 ERA on the season and has converted 9-of-11 save opportunities.

Tom Wilhelmsen pitched a perfect ninth against the A's for his sixth save on Tuesday.

If he keeps this up, not only will he make stealing Brandon League's job a formality, but Wilhelmsen will make a compelling argument to be Seattle's All-Star representative. The 6-foot-6 right-hander hasn't allowed a run since May 23 and has averaged over a strikeout an inning every month this season. Although Seattle rarely generates save opportunities, Wilhelmsen (2.77 ERA) is 6-for-6 closing games since inheriting League's gig.

Tom Wilhelmsen struck out the side in the 10th inning against the Diamondbacks for his fifth save on Tuesday.

It doesn't appear as though Brandon League will be getting his job back anytime soon. Wilhelmsen is now 5-for-5 closing games in his place and hasn't allowed a run since May 23. He's averaged over a strikeout an inning every month this season and has walked just three batters since May 6.

Tom Wilhelmsen pitched a perfect ninth against the Giants for his fourth save on Saturday.

Expectations were that Brandon League would get his job back this week, but it looks like the outing in which he gave up two runs dealt him a mild setback. Wilhelmsen is now 4-for-4 closing games in his place.

Tom Wilhelmsen closed out the Mariners' first no-hitter in 19 years Friday as part of a 1-0 win over the Dodgers.

After Kevin Millwood came out with a groin strain, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League and Wilhelmsen combined to throw three hitless innings, with Wilhemsen notching his third save. It was the Mariners' first no-hitter since Chris Bosio turned in one against Boston in 1993.

Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his second save Wednesday with a scoreless ninth inning against the Angels.

Brandon League set him up with a flawless eighth. The Mariners figure to go back to League in the closer's role if he turns in a couple of more good outings, but since he'll be a candidate to be traded, Wilhelmsen still might be worth holding on to afterwards.

Tom Wilhelmsen picked up his first save by getting the final five outs Monday versus the Angels.

Brandon League had a nice outing tonight, and he still figures to get another shot at the closer's role. Wilhelmsen, though, may be the favorite for saves in the meantime. He's pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his last four appearances, lowering his ERA from 4.63 to 3.10, and he's struck out 36 in 30 innings this season.

Tom Wilhelmsen has a 3.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP through 17 2/3 innings this season.

We'll be honest: We thought regression was in order for the massive 28-year-old right-hander after a surprisingly solid rookie campaign. Instead, he's picked up where he left off, posting a 19/8 K/BB rate. Primarily a starter in his minor league career, Wilhelmsen's 2.33 SO/BB rate the last two years with the big club has illustrated an impressive aptitude for late-inning work. At this point, he's second in line to Brandon League. If Seattle flips League later on this summer, Wilhelmsen could instantly turn into a valuable fantasy commodity.

Tom Wilhelmsen could be stretched out as a starter next spring.

Wilhelmsen has pitched really well out of the bullpen lately, but he's been primarily a starter in his minor league career, so the transition shouldn't be too difficult. He hopes to develop a changeup over the offseason, something that's a necessity if he wants to move into the rotation.

Mariners recalled RHP Tom Wilhelmsen from Double-A Jackson.

Wilhelmsen made the M's Opening Day roster and posted a 5.59 ERA and 9/8 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings before being optioned to the minors in mid-May. The 27-year-old right-hander had a 5.49 ERA and 40/26 K/BB ratio over 60 2/3 innings at Double-A. Look for him in middle relief.

Mariners optioned RHP Tom Wilhelmsen to Double-A Jackson.

He was cleared to make room for Franklin Gutierrez on the active roster. Wilhelmsen, 27, was a nice story when he made the Mariners' bullpen out of spring training, but he posted an ugly 5.59 ERA and 9/8 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings. He'll be stretched out as a starter in the minors.

The Mariners will demote Tom Wilhelmsen to Double-A Jackson to create room on the roster for Franklin Gutierrez.

Wilhelmsen, who has posted a 5.59 ERA and 2.07 WHIP in 9 2/3 relief innings, will be stretched out as a starter for Jackson. The right-hander pitched mostly as a starter in the minors last season after decided to give his baseball career another try following a seven-year layoff.

Tom Wilhelmsen will open the season in the majors.

The 27-year-old turned in a 2.70 ERA over eight appearances for the Mariners this spring to earn the job. Wilhelmsen will operate mainly in middle relief.