G132 | not so heavenly night at The Safe

M's 0 | Angels 10

Move along. Nothing to see here.

Well, nothing good anyway. M's shutout for the second game in-a-row...
once by the worst team in the AL and once by one of the best (at least they don't discriminate!)

Luke and Chris just didn't have what it took to plow through that Halo lineup...
in fact they got pretty plowed themselves. At least Randy finally got through an inning without giving up a run and Mark was able to throw a scoreless inning even though it was a blowout.

The tone seemed to be set in the first inning...
when you load the bases and fail to score, it's never a good omen.

At least Ichiro and Adrian will be back tomorrow and it will be interesting to see who gets called up from the farm.


AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

G131 | Royally owned.

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AP Photo/Ted S. Warren


M's 0 | Royals 3

Well, RRS certainly performed as requested ...
going a career long 8 innings, allowing only 3 runs on 5 hits

Unfortunately, against Cy Zack, the bats were ice...
ZERO runs - ONE hit

"That's one of the better pitched games I've seen in a long, long time," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "Just a clinic today. The guy was almost unhittable. I think you go into a ballgame like this offensively with a guy that struck out 15 in his last appearance, and really the only way you beat a guy like that is try to get his pitch count up.

"You look up on the board in the last inning, on his 113th pitch it's 96 miles per hour, and with that he complements it with a 65-66 mph curveball with command," he said.

Ryan and the Mariners are happy to tip their cap and say, "G'day, Mr. Greinke!"

:-)

G130 | small paychecks, big dividends

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

M's 8 | Royals 4

No Ichiro
No Adrian
No Russell

With a combined paychecks of only 5mil...
the M's Saturday night lineup was able to get to old friend Gil Meche for seven runs in four innings, including 3 doubles and 2 home runs.

Ian records his 5th victory (3rd as an M)...
he had been pitching very well, but was hit on the forearm by a batted ball with one out in the 5th. Things looked very scary for a few moments, but he was able to finish the 5th and was later seen out on the rail (hopefully a good sign)

Miggy made things a bit scary in the 7th...
loading the bases with no one out, but was able to escape with no damage.

Randy had an interesting 9th...
he surrendered back-to-back homers, but then retired the next three batters to secure the victory for the M's

The good news, in addition to the win...
is that the bullpen was rested.

Here's hoping that RRS can go deep tomorrow, to ensure that the pen is rested and rarin' for the Halo series.
(the first game with LAA will be the 14th game in the midst of a 20-in-a-row stretch)

G129 | and they call that VERSATILITY

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

M's 6 | Royals 3

This one was fun to be at!
From Mike Sweeney scoring from 3B on a tapper back to the mound, to the defensive "scramble" in the 4th inning.
Russell tweaked his bat striking out in the 3rd, so Don had an interesting substitution...
~ Jack H from 3rd to 1st
~ Bill from RF to 3B
~ Ryan from LF to RF
~ Micheal Saunders in at LF

Yowsa!
That would be enough to give Felix a headache (if he hadn't already woken up with a doozy of a sinus headache to begin with). But, despite not feeling or performing his best, Felix gutted it out through seven innings and saw his team do everything possible (defensively and offensively) to help him earn (finally!) his 13th victory.

It will be interesting to see how Jak Z addresses the offensive need in the off-season, but I sure am loving the defense and flexibility he has acquired in nearly every acquisition.

G128 | A. Royal. Pain.

M's 4 | Royals 8

Missed most of this one....

and I guess that was a good thing, as it appears Mr. Fister is human after all. He did get through six innings but allowed four homers (to the Royals?) and one of those to old pal Yuni B.

"I believe I still have some fans here in Seattle," Betancourt said. "It's an amazing feeling."

And another anomoly...

the M's only homer was off the bat of Jack Wilson (his first as a Mariner) but it was way too little, way too late.





AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

G127 | Sweepers!

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

M's 5 | A's 3

Nice catch, Jack!

For the M's, this series seemed to have all the ingredients...
~ stellar pitching
~ solid defense
~ taking advantage of opponents mis-cues
~ just enough offense (usually via the long ball)

Pretty good recipe for success :-)

Congrats to Mr. French on his third victory as a Mariner!

G126 | Ryan "walk-off" Langerhans

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson


M's 4 | A's 2

I don't imagine it often happens that the victorious team's batting order strikes out 13 times....
Then again, I don't imagine it often happens that the same batter hits a walk-off home run in extra innings twice in the span of 18-days either.

M's only run was Russell's blast in the 2nd until...
they got a little help from Adam Kennedy in the 8th and tied the game. Wak pinch-hit Junior for Jack H but he ended up striking out. In the top of the 9th. Bill replaced Jack at 3B and Ryan replaced Bill in RF. The drama would come later....

RRS wasn't real sharp...
but made it into the 7th having surrendered only 2 runs. The BP came in and did their thing.

And then came the the 10th....
with one out, one on and a 2-2 count, Ryan launched the game-winner to right field.

G125 | Birdie in the House!

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AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

M's 3 | A's 1

I think she should come to the games more often - Kenny seems to like to "hit 'em out for mom" ;-)

Very encouraging start by Ian...
He seems to be improving consistently, posting a win in his second consecutive quality start

And nice job by the pen...
~ Sean with two scoreless
~ David a bit scary, as per usual, allowing a lead-off double, but getting it done in the end

Have the M's found their LFF?
left-fielder forever - Michael making a a pretty good case lately - couple really nice plays out there

A little love for new-comer Bill Hall as well...
Nice job patrolling Area 51 in Ichiro's stead

G124 | Who's your Daddy? M's say uncle to 09 Tribe...

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AP Photo/David Richard

M's 1 | Indians 6

't was another "not so happy Felix day"...
As the road trip started in Detroit, so it ends in Cleveland - a Felix start that ends in a Mariner loss. Though this time, Felix recorded a loss as well, even though only 3 of the 6 runs he allowed were earned. Other than Junior's 624th home run, it was a pretty sucky day all the way around.

At 2-4 it wasn't the worst road trip of the season...
that was back in May when the M's went 1-7 vs. the Twins, Royals and Rangers. But, pretty pathetic nonetheless - one lead blown in the 8th, another in the 9th and an extra inning loss that should never have gone to extra frames.

Back home to continue a stretch of 20 consecutive games without a day off...
to host a 10-game home stand smack in the middle:
-three vs. OAK
-four vs. KCR
-three vs. LAA

G123 | and the Tribe taking it right back

M's 3 | Indians 4
Watched a little on TV before heading to the Seahawks first home pre-season game and then tried to listen here and there - but Qwest is a pretty loud place, even in pre-season :-)

Another "what could have/should have been"....
despite his third quality start and some sparkling defense (as evidenced by the photos posted here) Mr. Fister denied his second victory as the M's lost for the second time on this road trip in extra-innings in a game they could have, should have, easily won.

It's the same-old, same-old with the bats...
the exasperation of not being able to get the runner in from third with less than two outs (happened at least twice by my count - once prior to the extras, once during).

Wak also was pretty upset about Michael's error in the 7th....
saying it definitely turned the tenor of the game (though he was quick to point to it as a learning - as is the reality with young players). Wak was prepared to let Doug go the distance, but plans changed when that routine fly ball dropped.

AP Photo/Tony Dejak



AP Photo/Tony Dejak

G122 | Taking it to the Tribe

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AP Photo/Tony Dejak

M's 9 | Indians 4

't was a hit parade...
14 hits including 3 doubles and 3 homers
(Russell getting back to it, Jose staying hot and what's up with Josh Wilson? 3 homers already!?!

Welcome to Seattle (by way of Cleveland) Bill Hall...
2 hits, 2 RBI and 2 walks

Congrats to Mr. French...
Nice quality start for his 3rd win as a Mariner

G121 | M's get to Jarrod ~ but Tiggers get to pen

M's 6 | Tigers 7

The M's didn't greet their old pal Jarrod too kindly...
they touched him up for 6ER in 5 innings. The ball were flying out before the rains came - 4 homers for the M's and 2 for the Tigers - but, the M's (and Ryan) were still leading when the game was called. Though the game was in jepordy - bases loaded and only one out.

Play resumed after an hour and things really went downhill fast...
Jak (who had warmed up prior to the delay and then had to sit for an hour) ended up allowing all three inherited runners to score.

From there, the M's clung to a one-run lead...
until the bottom of the 9th :-(

OK - everyone's had their blowups lately...
maybe it's all out of their system!
Here's hoping the Tribe got all their runs out of theirs (beat the Halos today 11-3)

AP Photo/Duane Burleson

G120 | Ian get's first M's W ~ way to rebound, Mark!

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AP Photo/Duane Burleson

M's 3 | Tigers 1

oh yeah, and that Ichiro ain't too bad either ;-)
(2-run shot off none other than Justin Verlander!)

't is all about the pitching...
~ Ian had a bounce-back outing for his first win as a Mariner (still walked 3 in 5.2 innings, but baby steps when moving from the NL to the AL)
~ Very nice to see Mark back up on the horse after two consecutive horrendous outings - sits 'em down 1-2-3 in the 8th
~ David allows a blooper (as per usual) but is able to lock down his 28th save

but about those bats...
~ hitters 2-5 went 0'fer - OUCH!
~ Franklin struck out 3 times - double OUCH!!
~ Russell got the golden sombrero - triple OUCH!!!
~ But maybe the most unbelievable of all - Jose saw a TOTAL of SIX pitches in FOUR AB's :-(
This from the guy who seems to have been hanging in with long AB's all season long - I imagine Wak will be having a little talk with him regarding his patience (or lack thereof)

Next up - Hyphen vs. our old pal Jarrod

G119 | Typical Felix ~ A-typical Mark

M's 3 | Tigers 5

Felix has gone six or more innings...
in each of his last three starts, striking out twenty-six batters and allowing only four runs - yet that thirteenth win has been elusive.

Mark, on the other hand....
after going scoreless in seven consecutive appearances has given up runs in back-to-back games for the third time this season (others: Apr 29&May2 and Jul 3& 4). The good news is, last time he did this, he went unscored upon in six consecutive outings.

I didn't get to see any of the game...
and only heard the last inning. Sounds like they put up a bit of a fight in the 9th - Jose had a 12-pitch at bat with runners at 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs before striking out to end the game.

From the sounds of it...
an error a miscue and no help from the umpire were the culprits (aside from being able to get runners in) in this loss.

AP Photo/Duane Burleson

Tomorrow - here's hoping 4th time's the charm for Ian!

G118 | Congrats, Mr. Fister!

M's 10 | Yankees 3

Lots of firsts for Doug today...
~ first run allowed (Jeter doubled in Pena)
~ first home run allowed (Swisher w/A-Rod aboard)
~ first strikeout of a Yankee (Alex Rodriguez)
~ first Major League WIN!!!!

his final line: 7IP - 8H - 3ER - 4K

and my favorite part .... ZERO WALKS!!!

OK, I really like the 7 innings and only three runs, but the walks have just seemed to be such an epidemic lately, it had to be highlighted :-)

Nice to see the bats come 'round...
~ everyone but Ryan had at least ONE hit (but he walked and scored a run)
~ most had TWO hits, Jose had another THREE
~ FIVE doubles, Jose had TWO
~ every run came with TWO OUTS!!!

AP Photo/John Froschauer

An interesting little tid-bit to contemplate...
With today's win, the Mariners equaled their entire win total of last season. Just think about that for a moment - they didn't record their 61st win until the last day of the season last year.

Anyway, after suffering through Friday night and Saturday night (among Yank fans galore) I was finally rewarded by witnessing a win. And a fairly resounding one at that. Sure, it sucks that they lost the series (was realistically thinking a split was doable) but at least they go off on the road trip on a good note.

G117 | missed, mis-played and stolen opportunities

M's 2 | Yankees 5
This one hurt.
(and it didn't help that I had to sit next to a Yankee fan the entire game - at least he wasn't obnoxious - never said a word, just clapped politely/gave a fist pump when the Yanks did something good)

the mis-plays...
Ichiro made an awesome catch of a deep fly ball and had two hits and scored a run. But, he was also involved in two very unfortunate plays....
~ a rare mis-communication between Ichiro and Franklin led to 4 UNearned runs in the 2nd inning
~ then, in the 8th inning, Ichiro attempted to steal 3B with a runner at 2B, 2 outs and Russell at the plate

the missed...
Luke lost his composure a bit after that little miscue in the 2nd inning (and he had thrown so many pitches by the end of it, seemed likely he wouldn't reach the 3rd) but, he stayed in and got through 6IP without giving up a run despite allowing base-runners in every inning except one after the second, none scored. If only he could have gotten a little run support.

AP Photo/John Froschauer

the stolen...
Apparently, CB Bucknor has quite a reputation. Tonight was a prime example of why. There were 2 outs in the 6th, bases loaded with Mariners and on a 3-2 pitch to Ryan Langerhans that was clearly ball four (even Yankee fans admittedit) CB rang him up. Who knows what would have been at that point - one run game with Ichiro coming to the plate with the bases loaded...

a tweet from Shannon Drayer...

Seriously CB Bucknor? Posada caught that 6 inches of the ground. Brutal.

Oh well. That's baseball.

Looking for the salvage game tomorrow - go Mr. Fister!

G116 | Great .... for eight

M's 2 | Yankees 4

the good...
Awesome job by Hyphen to go 7 full innings and give up only 3 hits and 2 runs to the team with the best record in baseball.

"He worked his tail off," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said.

the bad...
Other than a few scattered singles and a total of 3 walks (2 of them in the 8th) the offense couldn't get it going vs. Andy (10K's)

the ugly...
Mark's third change up in-a-row to Tex in the 9th that went out to right field nearly hit the UW Medicine sign that broke the 2-2 tie. Mark had pitched a great 1-2-3 8th (only throwing 8 pitches). I haven't looked up the numbers, but it seems like more often than not, Mark doesn't do well in multiple innings.

At least it was a great game through 8 innings (unlike the previous debacle). Aside from the anemic offense (that has score all of 5 runs in the past 4 games, the loss of the all-star left side of the infield could really become an issue.

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Looking to the future...
Besides the fact that RR-S has, for the most part, been more than solid since returning to the rotation, there was good news out of Tacoma last night - Brandon threw a complete game shutout!

I'll be leaving shortly for the 3rd game of the series ...
here's hoping for a good-guy win to keep those Yankee faithful that have over-run Safeco Field silent (especially the ones sitting next to me)

:-)

G115 | pin-striped.

AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Jim Bates


M's 1 | Yankees 11

Well, THAT wasn't much fun to watch.

Here's hoping that the games I plan to see in person (Fri, Sat, Sun) are at least a little more competitive.

And there goes the left side of the infield - AGAIN....
The news started off bad regarding Jack Wilson and got worse regarding Adrian.

But, carry on they must. So they called up Josh Wilson to play SS
(is it a prerequisite to have the same initials as the guy you're replacing? ;)
and put Jack Hannahan back at 3B

CC was ON...
tip o' the cap to Mr. Sabathia - 10K's in 8IP and only 3 measly hits

M's have now scored all of 3 runs in the past 3 games after scoring 28 in the previous 4 games.

As bad as Ian looked (I mean, giving up 8 runs is never a GOOD thing) at least he was able to get through 7 innings and his command was MUCH better (3 BB in 7, as opposed to 6BB in 1.1) In his post game comments, he admitted to being pretty awe-struck by AL hitters in general and the Yankee lineup in specific. He said he's just gotta keep going out there, keep working and learning. Garrett wasn't too great either, but he went 3 and they both gave the pen a MUCH needed rest.


Hyphen's going tomorrow - Go, Ryan!
And come on bats, let's see you give him a little support - like you did on Sunday!

G114 | Peanut butter to go with that jam??

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M's 1 | White Sox 0
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to start watching the game until about the 8th inning (little did I know, it was just getting started!)

Where do I begin? There was SO much to take in...
Obviously, Felix was AWESOME (I'm claiming the hi-socks were the ticket)
7IP - 6H - 0ER - 4BB - 10K
His outing was far from trouble-free (but from what I saw of the highlights, he was having an awful lot of fun getting out of jam after jam ;-)

Not enough superlatives for the defense...
Only two double plays, but LOTS of other fun stuff - including an outfield assist (Ichiro to Rob - OUT at the plate) an awesome pick-off at 3rd (Rob to Adrian) numerous great catches and throws - love, love, love it!!!

And then there was the BP....
definitely back to their old form - despite being banned from displaying their gladiator helmets, their warrior mentality still shines through. Sean, Shawn, Mark and Chris were fabulous - combining for 7 IP - 4H - 0ER - 2BB - 6K
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Of course the Chi-Sox arms and leather weren't too shabby either...
BUT - they don't have JUNIOR anymore :-)

Game winning RBI w/2outs in the bottom of the 14th!!!!


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

G113 | Welcome, Mister Fister!

M's 1 | White Sox 3

Quite an impressive debut for Doug!

Mister Fister goes a full SIX innings of...
ONE-hit ZERO-run ball recording FOUR strikeouts

Talk. About. Poise.


Unfortunately, a rare lost case for the DA...
Which denies Doug of his first major league victory and
means a further loss of ground in the playoff hunt


Another THREE double-plays...
Yes - JW in all of them


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

G112 | Rainy win...

M's 6 | White Sox 4

The walk epidemic continues, but doesn't prevent the win.

Luke was able to hold the Sox scoreless through 4+
He ran into trouble in the 5th allowing 2 runs and the 6th (walking 3). Then Sean came in and couldn't keep the inherited runners at bay and 2 more scored.

But, that would be it and the bats came through again...
~ another Russell moonshot (his 24th)
~ Kenji with a 2-run shot that got the lead for good

8th and 9th pretty darn solid....
Awesome job by Mark - striking out Thome and Konerko and getting Quentin to fly out and the D.A. closes his 27th

Oh yeah - lovin' the leather...
3 double plays turned - and yes, Jack Wilson was involved in all of them


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Michael sure is a tall drink o' water...
but, man, can he fly!
(Lee Tinsley calls him "Condor" :-)

G111 | Sunny Safe, Primo Pitching, Hot Hitting

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AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

M's 11 | Rays 2

What a day at The Safe!

I took my Dad for a belated Father's Day celebration
(he was out of town on the actual day)
and we had a fabulous time in our "fancy Terrace Club seats" :-)

"Hyphen" didn't disappoint - way to go, Ryan!
No doubt he'd like to cut down the 4 walks (seems to be an epidemic lately)
but he got through 6.2 innings, striking out 6 and only giving up the 2 runs on Navarro's homer in the 2nd.

And then there was the offense...
~ another 14 hits and 11 runs - who ARE these guys?
~ 2 doubles and two homers
~ Russell's first grand slam as a Mariner
(which was also his first grand slam since 2003 and his first homer to left field since 2006)

And the defense just keeps getting "niftier"...
A couple great DP's and nice outfield catches

G110 | ugh - LEE

M's 4 | Rays 10
If Ian had a few butterflies in his first start as a Mariner (in Texas) he must have had a locust swarm last night...
6 BB in 1.1IP and 3 ER (I'm having Bob Wolcott flashbacks ;-)

What a sad state of affairs for the arms...
Chris came to the rescue in the 2nd and was able to induce a ground ball DP to get out of the bases loaded jam he inherited. Then he got through the 3rd and 4th 1-2-3 but after allowing a lead off homer to Longoria in the 5th, his confidence appeared shaken as he walked a batter and then allowed another homer.

Unfortunately, Sean and Garrett didn't help matters - each gave up 2 runs and combined for 3 more walks (for a total of 10 walks in the game - eeeek!).

But, at least the situation allowed for Doug Fister to have a soft-landing for his first cup of coffee (how's that for a mixing metaphors?). He came in for the 9th and recorded his first hit allowed (double) his first walk allowed and his first strikeout and prevented further damage in his first inning pitched.

AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Tale of two lineups...
The top of the order (Ichiro, Russell, Jose and Jr) were ALL hitless
Franklin and Michael were hot - each recording 3 hits and accounting for all 3ER

Heading out to the rubber match soon...
Go RR-S!!!

Go Mariners!!!

G109 | extra-inning walk-off wins are FUN!

M's 7 | Rays 6
Especially in person!
I was in my usual seats and flanked by "opposites"...
~ to my left - a gentleman about 10 years my senior attending his first ever Mariners game and soaking in every moment.
~ to my right - a guy about 10 years my junior attending with his wife and two young daughters familiar with all the players and boisterously cheering.

We all rode the roller-coaster through to the thrilling finish...
~ from Russell's moonshot in the first
~ to Felix's struggles (he only gave up 5 hits and 3 runs, but allowed 6 walks and only made it through 6 innings)
~ to Junior's homer (yes - on his bobblehead night!) that started the scoring barrage that would tie the game in the 7th
~ to the awesome performance by the pen that would keep the Rays scoreless through 5 innings
~ to Jason Bartlett's deflating homer in the top of the 11th
~ to the improbable win in the bottom of the 11th ... Franklin had drawn a walk (after striking out 4x previously) and with 2 outs, on a 2-2 count, Ryan LAUNCHED a 'no-doubter' into the right field seats.

Pandemonium ensued.

Oh, and the guy to my right? He sort of called it. He was looking up at Ryan's stats as he walked to the plate and said quietly, "This would be a great time for his second home run."

:-)

G108 | So much for the sweep ...

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

M's 2 | Royals 8

Another hit parade...
~ Adrian 4-4!
~ Mike with his 100th career homer in Kaufman Stadium

But, not enough counted.

The bad news - Jason Vargas...

The good news - Jason Vargas...

To say he struggled mightily in the first is an understatement - 5 ER on 32 pitches. But, somehow, he managed to stay in the game through 7 and Jaku came in for the 8th. So, sucks to get the loss, but at least the bullpen was salvaged for the Tampa Bay series at home.

G107 | Welcome, Luke!

M's 11 | Royals 6

The bats sure gave Luke a warm welcome...
- everyone in the starting lineup had at least one hit
- five had 2 hits
- "hot-Jose" had 3

but he did have some butterflies...
For Luke French’s first start as a Mariner – and his sixth major league start, period – Seattle’s offense put him ahead, 8-4, after five innings and 84 pitches.

In the top of the fourth, he had a long wait while the Mariners scored six runs. “I’ll wait all day for a six-run inning,” he said. “Truthfully, I’m just glad to get this first one out of the way. It felt like my first big-league start all over again.”

:::

“He was nervous,” Wakamatsu said, “but he got out of a bases- loaded situation in the second inning. The main thing tonight was just getting him acclimated, making him feel
a part of the team.”

G106 | ugly win - better than a pretty loss

M's 7 | Royals 6

Tough night for Ryan against KC tonight (after no-hitting the Blue Jays through 6 last week - go figure). But, the bats battled and kept comin' back and comin' back ...
14 hits including a homer and 4 doubles!

Pretty much the Ichiro show...
~ from the lead off home run (the 30th of his MLB career)
~ to the 3 runs scored
~ to the 1 walk
~ and then, the topper - the game saving catch.

Nice to see Michael gettin' his hits (even though 2 of them were bunts - hey whatever it takes - he scored twice!) and Jack Wilson doing well (recorded his 3rd double since joining the team).

't wasn't easy, but the D.A closed his 26th case and the M's record their 26th one-run victory (vs. 14 losses).

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

And the M's improve to 26-13 in one-run games.
Hey, the Halos even lost for a change ;-)

G105 | Welcome to the league, Ian!

M's 2 | Rangers 4

Sucky way to lose a game....
The game ended in controversy when Wilson insisted that the final pitch tipped off his bat for a foul ball. But home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn ruled that Wilson swung and missed at the pitch in the dirt, and when Wilson didn't run to first, Saltalamacchia grabbed the ball and tagged Wilson out to end the game.

While the Rangers spilled out of their dugout to celebrate, the umpiring crew huddled on the infield. After a quick consultation, Reyburn gave the out sign.

"I know I got a piece of it," Wilson said. "I didn't get a lot, but I make a lot of contact, especially with two strikes. If I swing and miss, I'm running to first. So I was getting ready for the next pitch, and the next thing I knew, I was out. It was a tough way to end the game."

But, that's the way the ball bounces and now the M's find themselves 10 games back (after the Halos pound the Twins 13-4 today) having lost 3 of 4 in Texas.

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

BUT (yes, there is a BUT) the encouraging and rather exciting thing is - Ian's debut!

6IP - 3H - 2ER - 3BB - 4K

Not too shabby for a guy pitching his first game in a new league...
in one of the toughest parks to toe the rubber...
vs. a pretty danged potent offense

Congrats, Ian!
Here's hoping the bats can eventually find it in their hearts to give you more run support than they did Jarrod ;-)

G104 | Felix and the Hit Parade!

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AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

M's 7 | Rangers 2

Nice 'development' occurring with Felix..
Even when he's not got his best stuff - he pitches through it and more often than not, gets the W (for himself AND the team). No better example of that than tonight's game. He only had one 1-2-3 inning, walked 4 and hit a batter. He was the recipient of a couple of nifty double plays behind him (including an assit by Ichiro to get Vizquel out at the plate) and showed how well he can field his position by catching a liner right at him for the third out in the 7th.

As for the bats...
a rare 16-hit barrage including 7 for extra bases! ~ Jose and Junior* each a triple shy of the cycle ~ Jack W with 2 doubles ~ Ryan with a triple

*Junior's #622 career homer and Tommy Hunter became the 400th pitcher to surrender a homer to him