g161 | relief and DEE finish strong, starters and OH - not so much

Mariners 0 | Athletics 7

The main positive of the evening was...
I attended with my good friend Marilyn and, frankly, we talked more than we watched.  Sure, it would have been great if the Mariners had won but, it was one of those nights where just being there, with a good friend, sharing the ambiance and soaking up the last drop of baseball before winter sets in, was enough.  Oh, and getting our photo with Dave...

As for the game itself...
other than the FOUR combined innings of scoreless relief from Jamey, Ceasar, Shawn and Wilhelmsen, there was not much positive.  Blake finished up his season with one of his worst outings - hopefully he'll learn from facing a bit of adversity and go into the off season focusing on the good that came out of this, his first season in the bigs.  The offense only managed FOUR hits (kudos to Cahill) with Kyle's double the only one for extra bases.  The DEE was looking pretty sharp - when they actually got a chance to field as opposed to craning their necks as they watched home runs fly out of the ballpark (OK, there were only two but it seemed like more)

Thanks again to the M's for the great seats in which to enjoy my last visit to The Safe this season!
It's been an interesting one.  Despite the record, there is hope and intrigue going into the off-season, whereas last year there were only questions and unrest.

September wrap-up and season retrospective to be posted in the coming days....

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.

g155 | series victory in Minny

Mariners 5 | Twins 4

Kevin Slowey had them baffled for a time...
In fact, the only M's base-runner in the first five innings was Ichiro who got aboard via an error in the third.

And then, adjustments were made...
With TWO outs in the 6th, Ichiro singled and then the "Carolin Connection" came through - doubles by both Seager and Ackley scored TWO and tied the game.  In the 7th, the M's would add three more singles (Justin, Miggy, Tray) and a double (Ichiro) for a total of THREE more runs.

Michael's last start wasn't his best effort but, he had a great rookie season...
for one thing, he leads all rookie pitchers in K's (173).  Heard it mentioned on the post game show that he'll be perfecting his change up and a two-seam fastball over the winter/spring.  He's only just begun!

It was a tale of two bullpens...
-Jeff and Cesar getting in and out of trouble in the 5th and 6th respectively
-Shawn retiring the side in order in the 7th with 2 K's
-Tom faltering a bit by giving up a run in the 8th (only his second ER in 15+ innings)
-Brandon making it a bit too close for comfort in the 9th, giving up a run on three singles but, hanging on on for his 36th save.

g151 | slugfest at the Safe...

Mariners 6 | Rangers 7

't was looking pretty good in the bottom of the second...
when the M's took a 4-1 lead via three singles (Adam, Brendan and Ichiro) a walk (Saunders) and a double (Seager).  But, the Rangers came roaring right back to tie it up with THREE solo homers in the top of the third.  They would put up another three-spot in the top of the fourth via three singles and a walk to take a 7-4 lead.  Mike Carp hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to get the M's to within one - but that would be the final score.

Not sure Anthony Vasquez had a chance in this one...
he looked pretty good the first couple of innings but, you just can't keep these guys down for long (amazing that the M's were able to shut them out last night).  Hopefully, Anthony learned some valuable lessons from his short outing.

As for the bullpen...
Jeff wasn't too sharp, but gave them some innings.  Then Cesar, Chance and Jamey combined for 3.2 scoreless ... not too shabby.

Trayvon made an AWESOME catch, going into the stands in LF...

Apparently, going into this game, the M's have NEVER gotten a hit off Neftali Feliz...
And, they still don't.

As an aside...
It was kinda cool when the M's fans cheered every time there were fireworks going off next door at Century Link Field - they knew it meant goooooooooooooooallll!!!!!!

After the M's game, I went across the street to cheer for the men in rave green.  Apparently, they didn't need my cheering, as I got there just as the second half was starting and before I got to my seat there was another goal (3-nil Sounders at that point - which would end up being the final).

g140 | What doesn't bode well for a win? FIVE errors, that's what!!!

Mariners 3 | Angels 7

I won't waste too much space talking about this one - definitely one of the ugliest games all season...
If only scoring THREE runs on ELEVEN hits was abysmal, then committing FIVE errors was atrocious.

According to the box score, only one of the SEVEN runs that Vasquez gave up was UNearned but, it sure seemed like more.  The bullpen put up 2.1 scoreless despite two of the errors committed during their stint.

All the rooks got their requisite 1-2 hits (they were a combined 8/19)


Onward and upward.

ST4 | vs. White Sox

M's 1 | White Sox 6

ANOTHER NICE OUTING FOR LUKE
For Brandon and Cesar, not so much.

GOOD AMOUNT OF HITS
EIGHT, to be exact.  Along with SIX walks.  Trouble was that whole pesky RISP - 0/12

NEWS AND NOTES

• The Unit visits The King, and court | Seattle Times
• And still no news on Guti's tests...