THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE, Aug. 21, 2014

How can you tell the Seattle Mariners are getting better?

A couple of weeks ago, when the Mariners inducted former manager Lou Piniella into their hall of fame prior to a game vs. the Chicago White Sox, Seattle went out and only lost the game 2-1 in extra innings.

One year earlier, when they inducted Ken Griffey Jr. into their hall of fame, they promptly went out and got pounded 10-0 by the Milwaukee Brewers.

That's progress.

I remember watching Griffey, during his induction speech, tell the current Mariners - who were watching along the top step of the dugout - to hang in there, that things would get better if they kept working at it.

At the time, it seemed like something polite that someone from a team that was good would say to a team that wasn't so good. But as it turned out, he was right.

Of course, it helped that they were able to sign Robinson Cano, giving them an accomplished hitter to take the pressure off the others, most of whom hit in the mid to low .200s.

Then again, who thought Cano was going to a better team when he signed with the Mariners after nine seasons with the Yankees?

OF COURSE, the reason the Mariners winning is that their pitching is downright filthy - from Felix to Iwakuma to the seemingly 25 or so relief pitchers they can bring in every night.

They don't score a lot of runs, but with that pitching, they don't need a lot of runs to win. A two-run lead for them is almost insurmountable these days, anything bigger than that is a blowout.

It helps that there are no powerhouse teams this year. The Red Sox and Rangers have taken the year off, and the other division leaders and contenders are running hot and cold.

And to heck with settling for the second wild card - if they're not careful, if the Mariners can keep up their current level of play, they could overtake Oakland and the Angels and win the AL West. The Angels are back on track and playing well after a few years in neutral, but the A's have struggled after trading away their best hitter.

Seattle losing two of three this week to the Phillies, who have been in decline since their World Series title in 2008, is a little troubling.

But overall, it's gotten to the point where Mariners fans can look at an upcoming series with anticipation of winning it, rather than fear of getting trucked.

Taking eight of nine in a recent homestand which featured the Braves, White Sox and Blue Jays was impressive, especially Seattle's three-game sweep of Toronto - which is also competing for a playoff spot.

And the M's took four of six from the Tigers, who have played in the AL Championship Series each of the last three seasons.

Who knew?

THE GOOD news recently was seeing that DirecTV has added the SEC Network to its sports lineup.

The bad news is there is no news concerning DirecTV adding the Pac-12 Networks.

And it doesn't sound like the news will get any better soon.

"We remain in contact with the Pac-12 and are open to exploring any options to provide Pac-12 Network that offer the right value to all of our customers, whether they are Pac-12 fans or not," DirecTV spokesperson Robert Mercer said. "Fortunately, dozens of the best Pac-12 football games are always available to all DirecTV fans courtesy of channels like ABC, FOX, NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1 and other networks."

Talk to the folks at the Pac-12, and it sounds a little more grim.

"There has been no movement," said Kirk Reynolds, vice-president of communications for the Pac-12 Networks. "They have indicated that they do not intend to add Pac-12 Networks again this year leaving many of their customers without access to a network they clearly want. It is disappointing.

"In other words, all those Washington State fans in Idaho can watch Mississippi State or Tennessee play every week but can't watch the Cougs."

So why could DirecTV strike a deal with the SEC Network, but not the Pac-12 Networks?

Why else? Money. The parties won't discuss financial particulars, but carrying the SEC Network apparently doesn't cost DirecTV as much as carrying the Pac-12 Networks.

"We were able to forge a sensible compromise with ESPN to provide the SEC Network that represents a good value to customers living inside the 11 states with SEC schools and their alumni elsewhere around the nation," Mercer said.

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.