The Seattle Mariners weren’t supposed to be two-and-a-half games out of first in the second week of June.

They were supposed to be in the cellar of the AL West, looking up at the A’s, Angels and defending AL champion Rangers.

But here they are on June 11th, two games over .500 and within striking distance of the Texas Rangers.

Here are five reasons why the Mariners strong start in 2011 is not a fluke.

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