g22 | three-in-a-row ever elusive

Mariners 1 | Athletics 9


It has become evident that my decision to exchange my ticket for tonight's game in favor of Felix's Thursday start was a good one.  In a nutshell, the pitching finally faltered (big time) ending a streak 24 scoreless innings, the A's took advantage of opportunities and the M's didn't.

AP Photo

Jason looked good in the first couple of innings (despite being hit in the foot by the ball off the lead-off batter's bat) and the offense had all kinds of early chances to get to Cahill, but just couldn't get over the hump.  Figgy was thrown out at the plate trying to score on Adam's double in the first - can't really fault the aggressiveness there, the A's had to make a great play - and they did.  Then in the second, the M's got three singles that earned a run - but that would be it.

The A's tied it up in the 3rd and could have gotten more.  Crisp was on second and could have easily scored the go-ahead run on Barton's single to right field but there appeared to be some mis-communication between him and his 3B coach because he doubled back after making the turn at 3B.  That would be the last break of the game for the M's and they certainly didn't make any of their own - in the bottom of the third, Saunders knocked a lead-off double but got thrown out trying to steal 3B.

Things really unravelled quickly for Jason in the 4th  He found it again in the 5th but then in the 6th a walk and a single would lead to his exit.  Josh Lueke's entrance only made things worse.  He struck out the last two batters he faced but, unfortunately, the damage of a homer, a double, two singles and a walk had already been done.  The lone bright spot of the staff tonight was Tom Wilhelmsen who threw two scoreless.  And, despite the lead-off single in the 9th (you could almost hear the thought bubbles ... "here we go again!") Chris Ray was improved.

Here's to THREE of FOUR - you go, Mr. Fister.