M's 2 | A's 5It started so well...
Ichiro's 2000th hit of his major league career was a no-doubter double, Guti bunted him to third and Lopey drove him in with a solid single.
but it was all downhill from there...
Doug wasn't as sharp as he was vs. the Yanks and Halos, walking the lead-off batter, then allowing a single. None scored in that inning, but it would prove to be a bit of an omen for his outing as he had runners on base in every inning but one. He was able to escape a bases-loaded, one out situation in the 5th (which would be his last inning due to the blister he developed in the 3rd) to limit the overall damage to one run (as solo shot in the 4th)
Shawn retired batters in order in the 6th, but...
the wheels fell off in the 7th when he loaded the bases without an out, was able to induce a strikeout to Sweeney, but then Hairston (who fouled out in the same situation in the 4th) did the granny damage.
And that was all she wrote.
AP Photo/Ben Margot
I think it says a lot that the M's aren't laying down without 2 of their 3 best pitchers, Ichiro not scoring near as much as he should and Branyan being out (by far their best offensive player).
ReplyDeleteWak should be right up there for AL manager of the year in my opinion
Agree with you about Wak, Daniel.
ReplyDeleteHe has made the best of what was given him.
Not to mention the huge turn-around in the clubhouse from last year (though much credit goes to Jr and Sweeney for that as well).
But, likely the award will go to Girardi (for corralling all the egos) or Scioscia (for overcoming immense adversity)
Don't forget Wash either.
ReplyDeleteTheir best pitcher is Feldman (Feliz has been around for the past month, so, he doesn't count, although, he's nice for my fantasy team) for god sake!
Right now, I think Wak, Wash, Scioscia and Girardi are all pretty close.
hmmmm, Feldman.
ReplyDeleteI seem to remember you poo-poo'ing him early in the season.
He certainly showed you (and many others, I'd imagine) didn't he?
What with his 15 wins and sub 4 ERA ;-)
But yes, you're right.
Ron W is among the deserving candidates.
Oh, I still think he's overachieving like all hell. I wouldn't be surprised if he was like Santana and Saunders next year with a mid 5 era!
ReplyDeleteThe wins I could care less about, but he's pitched very well on the road!