This one could not have started any better for Michael Pineda...
He struck out the first FIVE batters he faced and got the sixth to pop-up.
Unfortunately, it couldn't have ended much worse...
The 3rd inning unraveled very quickly and included a Wedge ejection. Eric was just teeny tiny bit perturbed with the home plate umpire. Trumbo led off with a single, the Halos first hit of the game. Then Conger tried to check his swing on a 3-2 pitch with the runner going. Miggy threw a strike to Brendan and everyone is thinking strike 'em out, throw 'em out double-play! BUT - the check swing was called a ball and BOTH runners were safe. Wedge got his money worth (as he was apparently tossed before he even entered the field of play to get in the umps face). Not to go all "whiny Seahawk fan" on you but, he had a valid argument and it CLEARLY made a difference in the game going forward.
Sure, Michael has to learn how to control his emotions (just as Felix has had to do) BUT - the difference between NO ON, TWO OUT and TWO ON, NO OUT is obviously night and day and the blown call changed the game DRAMATICALLY. MP would commit an error on the next play and go on to allow SEVEN runs in the next THREE innings (oh those Halo Homers - two by Torii this time - a 3-run job in the fateful 3rd inning and a 2-run shot in the fifth - Michael's last).
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| AP Photo |
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| Getty Images |
The offense tried to battle back...
Both teams had TWELVE hits (and one error) and each had one double. There were only two M's without a hit (Justin and Kyle) and five with two hits (Ichiro, Dustin, Miggy, Greg and Carlos).
Gray and Ray got some much needed work...
and each gave up a run and a walk.
Here's hoping for a super Happy Felix Day tomorrow - gotta salvage this last game of the series and go into the break on a somewhat positive note.
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