G25 | hey, we got a lefty in the pen :-)

(updated at 9:39PM)


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

M's 8 | A's 7 (in 15)

And whadayaknow? He gets the improbable win...
by pitching in the 13th, 14th and 15th! Yes, Jason Vargas was thrown into the fire that was Safeco Field on Sunday afternoon. And, he not only survived, he thrived. He struck out the first three batters he faced and would go on to allow one walk, two singles, two fly-outs and strike out one more batter before his work was done as he was awarded the "W".

Flashback (to the regulation innings)...
The game didn't begin as lovely as the afternoon was. Jaku, who has run very hot and very cold so far this season, started out on his cold side, allowing three runs in the first. He settled down for a couple of innings, and the M's got within one on Mike Sweeney's first homerun as a Mariner (also the 200th for his career). But then Jaku started to struggle again and the A's plated another run in the 5th and in came the calvary... before it was all said and done, every bp pitcher would take the mound (and soon they would be looking for volunteers from the bench).

The relievers (on both sides) would hold serve until Ichiro singled Wlad home in the 7th to get the M's back within one. And then, in the 9th Kenji would deliver the blow, a solo shot into the visiting bullpen to tie it up. Immediately, Franklin pushed a bunt do the 1st base line for a hit and Yuni singled, but an Ichiro strikeout and a Jose ground out (he couldn't quite get it done vs. Springer, like Friday night) would stifle the rally.

The 'extries'...
Through the next three innings, no batter reached further than first. Then, what appeared to be disaster struck in the 13th when the wheels fell off for Miggy and he allowed three runs to score and was only able to record two outs (that's when Vargas came in).

"You just never know."....
That's what Blowers said to Sims on the TV broadcast after Adrian got a lead off base hit in the bottom of the13th. After a couple more singles, a couple of walks and a fielder's choice - the M's had tied it up AGAIN.

In the bottom of the 15th...
A's reliever Gonzalez (who had thrown 108 pitches!!!) was relieved by starter Eveland who promptly gave up a single, FC, made an error himself, IBB'd Ichiro and gave up the winning bloop hit to ~ none other than Friday night's hero ~ Jose Lopez!



AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Whew!! Glad it was at home, so at least the guys can sleep in their own beds after what must have been an extremely exhausting day ~ 'specially for the bp guys ~ yowsa!


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson


Here's to a complete game for Felix tomorrow :-)