M's 3 | O's 5I wasn't able to follow the game today (dang 1:40pm weekday starts) but, according to various accounts, all the breaks were falling the M's way for most of the game and several Mariner pitchers were doing their bet Houdini impressions. Unfortunately, David Aardsma wasn't one of them.
Starter Jason Vargas managed to get through five innings without giving up a run despite allowing at least one runner to reach base in every inning (3H - 5BB - 6K). Miggy threw a 1-2-3 sixth, but loaded the bases without recording an out in the seventh. Garret then came in, struck out the first batter he faced and then induced a double-play (whew!). All was looking rosy for the top of the ninth with the D.A. coming in with a 3-0 lead....
Then, the appendix burst...
David gave up five runs - two were unearned as Jose went from hero (having hit the two-run home run in the first inning that held up until the ninth) to goat (two errors in the ninth)
AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
It happens to the best of them...
For instance, so far this season it's happened to Papelbon and Nathan twice, Mariano once.
This was David's second blown save and I think he's allowed the two mulligans before the break - one from over work (in May vs. the Angels after pitching four days in-a-row) and one from under work (today he hadn't pitched in four days).
As I type this, Texas gets the victory down in Anaheim (8-1) which means the Rangers ride into town with a 4.5 game lead over the M's.
Time for the Mariners to take care of their own destiny and finish strong before the break.
Go Felix ~ Go M's!
painful, when winnable games are just blown!
ReplyDeleteI certainly know that feeling!