G69 | Snake Sweepers!

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DANIEL HOUGHTON / THE SEATTLE TIMES


M's 3 | Diamondbacks 2

't weren't a particularly pretty way to win, but I can guarantee that it was an even uglier way to lose. So .... we'll take it!

The sweep was completed today without the following offensive leaders on the club...

• Home Run Russell ~ day-to-day with a sore forearm (hit by a pitch in Saturday night's game)
• Doubles Adrian ~ day-to-day with a sore/stiff shoulder
• RBI Jose ~ out indefinitely on bereavement leave

But the pitchers did their jobs, as per usual...

• Felix was stellar and it's a darned shame he didn't get the win. He just continues to improve and mature evidenced by how he can perform even without his best stuff or sub-par command.
• Kudos to Olson who was able to throw a few pitches and give the bullpen a break (even though he is scheduled to start in 2 days)
• Lowe made things a little too interesting in the top of the 9th, but he did what good pitchers do when they get themselves into trouble - he got out of it

And the offense was JUST enough...
Granted, the 11 hits should have yielded more than 3 runs, but the patience was very nice to see (7 walks!) especially Ronnie's in the 9th since he ended up scoring the winning run - after Ichiro's single got him to 2B, a ground out got him to 3B and an ill-fated throw to 1B got him home.

But, the defense might have been the forgotten story...
Not only did the M's not make any errors (which unfortunately seems to be a rarity these days) but they made some SPECTACULAR plays. Wladdy had another nice catch "in the stands" as well as a last second dash to a blooper. But, probably the most exciting was in the second inning - the bases were loaded with NO outs, there was a grounder to 3B (Chris) and he fielded, stepped on the bag and threw to Jamie at home who was able to tag the runner coming home several feet from the plate for the completion of the DP (oh - and Felix K'd the next batter for good measure ;-)

Day off at home tomorrow ~ should do some aching bodies good!