17 Justin Smoak, 1B

Believe it or not, Justin Smoak has been on a pretty good run over his last 21 games, batting .314 (22 for 70) with a .970 OPS. He also has 16 walks compared to just 17 strikeouts during that stretch, demonstrating the plate discipline that helped define his minor-league career and top-prospect standing.

The problem? His home run that briefly gave the Mariners the lead in the 10th inning Monday at Cleveland was just his third this season. He could walk 100 times and not amount to anything at the deep first base position if he tops out at a dozen homers.

For what it's worth, both Smoak and Eric Wedge think the home runs will come if Smoak continues to wait for his pitch and not try to yank everything out of the ballpark -- something he struggled with his first few years in the league -- but until we see some evidence of it, I don't see the need to rush out and grab him in Fantasy.

Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak connected for a solo home run in the top of the 10th inning Monday at Cleveland, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead and Yan Gomes hit a walk-off, three-run homer to win the game in the bottom of the inning. It was Smoak's third home run and second in three games.

He extended his hitting streak to five games Monday. Smoak is batting .350 (7 for 20) with one double, two home runs, two RBI, three walks and five runs in that span.

Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak enters play Sunday against the Indians batting .328 (20 for 61) with a .468 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage and .992 OPS in his last 19 games. His batting average has risen from .188 to .254 in that stretch.

"I’ve been squaring balls up," Smoak said to MLB.com. "I’ve hit a couple doubles. The homers will come. In the past I’ve got too pull happy trying to be a homer guy. It’s not good for me, as we’ve seen in the past. I’m just trying to get good at-bats, hit the ball where it’s pitched. It’s a long season. Good things will happen."

Manager Eric Wedge feels Smoak's hot streak has staying power.

“I feel like Smoak and [Dustin] Ackley have been getting their hits, but now with Justin he’s starting to create a little more damage," Wedge said. "But he’s been getting on base, he’s had long at-bats. Those have all been good things to see."

Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak went back-to-back in the ninth inning with Raul Ibanez Saturday in a loss at Cleveland.

Smoak hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot off closer Chris Perez. He went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored. He added a double and is batting .254.

The 26-year-old has hit in three straight and is 5 for 11 with three walks over that span.

Mariners first basemen Justin Smoak has been on a doubles tear. Smoak, who has six two-baggers this year, has doubled in each of his last four games at Safeco Field.

The only previous Mariners to double in four straight games at Safeco were Ichiro Suzuki in 2002 and Michael Morse in 2006.

Smoak entered Saturday's tilt against the Athletics hitting .318 ( 14 for 44) with one home run and three RBI over his last 13 games.

"I haven't really felt bad all year," Smoak told MLB.com. "I've hit balls hard. I just have to keep having good at-bats and squaring balls up, and sooner or later they'll start going over the fence or in the gap."