g162 | too much Gio

Mariners 0 | Athletics

Cute as he is, I'm thinking Anthony is not quite ready for primetime...
though, to be fair, he didn't get much of a shot to right himself (pulled after only two innings)

The M's bats were certainly not much help...
as they were helpless vs Mr. Gonzalez (and shut out for the second night in a row)

the bullpen was looking strong and stellar...
some decent pieces to build upon for next year to make it even more so

the defense made some nice plays...
-a running, leaping catch by Ichrio
-a nifty DP started by Tom to Kyle to Justin
-who says Mike can't play LF? TWO beautiful catches!

AP

Meanwhile, elsewhere around baseball....
at the start of September, Atlanta and Boston each LARGE leads in their respective wildcard races
and, at the start of play tonight...
-Atlanta and St. Louis were tied for the NL Wildcard
-Boston and Tampa Bay were tied for the AL Wildcard
TWO of the FOUR games went into extra innings and, at the end of the day, the teams with the large leads at the start of the month would end up going home and out of the playoffs.

Congrats to the Rays and the Cardinals!

I was pulling for the Braves, hoping Jack Wilson would get into the first post season of his career...

Getty Images

g159 | Jeepers, Sweepers...

Mariners 5 | Rangers 12

I was trying to listen here and there but...
the noise at Century Link was overwhelming my radio :-)

On a day where the M's score 5 runs on 4 home runs...
You'd expect that they would come away with a win.

Problem is, the Rangers scored 12...
The M's used FIVE pitchers and they ALL gave up runs (Furbush and Ruffin with the worst of the damage)

There were also a couple of errors, seems best just to turn the page on this one.

g156 | the substitute gives up the game-winner

Mariners 2 | Twins 3

Blake had a strong outing...
seven innings - six hits - two runs - zero walks - four strikeouts
Too bad he wasn't able to record the victory.

Steve came in for Ceasar in the 8th...
with runners at 1B and 3B and got a much needed DP.  He wasn't so lucky/good in the 9th - giving up two walks and an RBI double that was the game-winner.

The hits kept coming but, the runs were scarce...
Great to see Justin coming round after so much time off - three more hits and an RBI today.  And, some thievery going on too - Kyle and Trayvon both with SB's.  The defense looking good with two DP's and an outfield assist.

g149 | The Twist, the Bartender, the Teacher .... Luis!!!

Mariners 2 | Yankees 1

That was fun!
Yes, even thought the M's are hopelessly out of contention this season, it's always fun to beat the Yanks!

What a strange series...

• The Yanks stomp all over Felix for the first time in ... seems like ever!
• Charlie pitches decently and gives them a great chance to win the second game but, the hitters strikeout 17 times and they lose by one run
• Then tonight, Jason, who has struggled MIGHTILY vs. the Yanks, pitches like a charm, as does the bullpen, and they win it by one run in twelve innings despite another 10 strikeouts and 0-11 w/RISP

It was not only fun, it was really encouraging, in more ways than one.

Jason still using "the twist" (ala Felix/Bedard) and it appears to be working...
He threw a lot of pitches (101) for 6.2 innings but, he only allowed THREE hits and ONE run and struck out SIX.  Yep, I'd say it's working.

And what about the 'pen?!?   
Jamey and Brandon combine for 2.2 scoreless
Tom (the bartender) and Steve (the substitute teacher) combined for 3 HITLESS, scoreless innings (and Steve records his first major league win.

Some nice D all around the outfield - Trayvon, Michael, Ichiro all with some nice catches...

AP PHOTO

Getty Images

AP PHOTO

OK, 0-11 w/RISP and 10 strikeouts doesn't usually bode well for a win but...
And, how cool was it that Luis's mom was in attendance watching her son for the first time "in person" in a major league game when he hit not only two doubles but a game-winning home run in the twelfth!

AP PHOTO

AP PHOTO

g146 | oh, so close

Mariners 1 | Royals 2

Pitchers, once again, solid...
~ Anthony Vasquez needed only 86 pitches to get through six innings.  He scattered seven hits and gave up only two earned runs.  It was enough for his first quality start in the majors.
~ Shawn gave up an inherited runner in the 7th and Chance threw a scoreless inning for the 8th.
~ Steve Delabar made his major league debut by retiring the side in order in the 9th (flyout, strikeout, strikeout)

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Hitters, once again, not so much...
only six total hits and no runs until the 8th, when Josh singled, Michael ran for him and scored on Ichiro's double.  There was a bit of hope in the 9th when Justin singled with two outs in the 9th and Trayvon ran for him - but, Miggy hit a long fly ball ... for the third out.

Getty Images

Bring on the Yanks!
I'll be in King's Court tomorrow night!!!

Congrats to Alex Liddi!

And, maybe he'll get to add some Major League runs and ribbies to those totals!
He and fellow Rainiers teammates, Michael Saunders and Steve Delabar will be up will be up with the big club as of tomorrow!