Adam Lind Blast Away

Going into the ninth inning things did not look good for the Mariners to win Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox. Chris Sale the ace for the Chicago White Sox who started in the All-Star Game gave up one hit in the first inning to Franklin Gutierrez and sailed through the rest of the game.

There is a good possibility Sale would have pitched the ninth inning if Gutierrez had not gotten that hit in the first inning. The White Sox had a 3-0 lead going into the ninth inning on two home runs off of Mariner starter Wade LeBlanc. On the positive side LeBlanc and the Mariner relievers were able to keep the score at 3-0 otherwise the walk-off homer by Adam Lind would not have happened.

Franklin Gutierrez again started off the ninth inning with a single and scored on a hit by Kyle Seager. It was nice to see Seager bounce back from a terrible game on Sunday. The Mariners were still behind 3-1 when Adam Lind came to bat with two outs but like in a previous walk-off homer this one was no doubt either. Lind has not had the greatest season so far for the Mariners however he has done well especially these two times with his homers. This gives him fourteen home runs for the season. If the Mariners plan to trade him before the trading deadline Monday’s night game certainly game him more value. The Mariners could get a better player than just a minor league prospect. His homer gave the Mariners one game above .500 to stay in the hunt for a few more days anyway whether the Mariners are in the playoffs and being buyers or sellers before July is over.

The other Wade in Miley will be taking the mound for the Mariners on Tuesday night. For him to stay in the rotation since Felix will be starting on Wednesday afternoon Miley will almost have to match LeBlanc. There is a good possibility one of them will be going into the bullpen. Dave Rollins who got his first major league win Monday night likely will be sent back down to Tacoma when Felix is activated for Wednesday’s game.

I have heard that Aoki and Mike Zunino may be brought back up from Tacoma on Wednesday as well. In this case Dave Robertson and Jesus Sucre both will be sent back to Tacoma. Zunino was removed in Tacoma’s game Monday night when he was hit by a pitch. This likely was for precautionary reasons. If this is what happens on Wednesday Aoki will be back into the lineup and playing left field against right handers. Zunino and Iannetta who has been struggling with the bat will alternate behind the plate.

It is now five days until Ken Griffey Junior will be inducted along with Mike Piazza into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Junior got the most votes ever for a player and was three votes short of getting 100 percent which would have been the first time in Hall of Fame history. The three writers should be ashamed of themselves. They could have helped make history instead they choose not to do so.

Junior and Willie Mays who I loved watching as a kid are the greatest two centerfielders if not players in the history of baseball. I got the privilege of seeing more of Griffey then Mays because of television. I was only able to see Mays once a week on television at the very most. Since the Mariners were not yet around the weekly Saturday games showed a lot of the Giants. I am not sure who the best was between them but it was very close for sure. One was either 1a or the other 1b. If Mays not had to deal with the winds of Candlestick Park and Junior with injuries there is no doubt they would be number one and two in home runs ahead of Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron. Both had speed and power along with playing the best defense ever seen in centerfield. Junior chose not to steal a lot of bases though he could have if he wanted to. I believe that Mays stole more bases than Junior but he could have stolen more as well. Thank you both for allowing me to watch you play baseball in my lifetime. I hope that I will be able to see them shake hands on Sunday when Junior is inducted in. I won’t be able to be there for the ceremony however I was at the Hall of Fame five years ago visiting with my younger brother Jack.

We do hope the Mariners will be able to win the game on Sunday in Toronto on Sunday to honor Junior as well. Everyone in Seattle whether a big baseball fan or not I am sure will be thinking of you that day Junior. Thank you wants again for your great baseball and crashing into the fence on numerous times. The video showing you rounding third base and sliding into home with that signature smile of yours on the greatest hit in Mariner by Edgar Martinez. Go Griffey and the M’s.