Going
into the Sixth Inning the Mariners were leading the Houston Astros 4-2 on
Tuesday night. It looked like the Mariners were on their way to another
victory. I thought it would be nice if they could score a couple more runs to
have a safe lead. Felix struggled giving up two runs in the first inning
however his pitch count was low and should be able to get through the seventh
inning at least if not the eighth inning. Then something happened that caused
this to go the wrong way and give the victory to the Astros. With one out and
two runners on base a ball was hit straight to Marte who was close to the
second base bag and Robinson was there to make the routine double play. Marte
had other thoughts and decided to make the play all by himself. Like in other situations
in the season he was erratic. He stepped on second and then threw the ball past
first base for an error. The inning should have been over and the score still
at 4-2. Felix would than go on and pitch the seventh inning. The runner on third
scored to make it 4-3. OK the Mariners have been in a lot of one run games so
this will be another one of those. It would be nice if they could score another
run or two however that is not what happened. Next thing I knew the Astros
scored six runs in the sixth inning to make it 8-4 and the Mariners onto a loss
they could not afford. In fact this loss may have cost them a place in the
playoffs. The Mariners now have five games remaining and are two games behind
the Baltimore Orioles. Those same Orioles had lost that day to the Toronto Blue
Jays who look like the team to be the first wild card. The win for the Mariners
which should have happened would have put them one game behind the Orioles.
During
the season the Mariners have lost several games in a similar fashion to this
game however they could not really afford a loss here. They now have to win all
five remaining games and hope the Orioles lose three games. The season that
could have been or better said should have been the Mariners lose out on the
playoffs; a disappointment for all of us
over a play that should have been routine.
Even
before this play occurred I was wondering why Marte was playing so close to
second base with a right handed batter up to bat. In fact the whole game it
looked like he was playing that way. Was he told by the coaches to do so or he
decided on his own? If Marte had been playing at standard shortstop position
the first hit would have likely been an out and no runs would have scored in
the sixth inning. A lot of media and fans alike have wondered about Marte
whether he is the right man playing shortstop. Even some were thinking that
Shawn O’Malley should be playing shortstop. I was giving him the benefit
however now I believe like most O’Malley should be at short and what is the
future for Marte at short and the Mariners. Just like catcher and centerfield
the shortstop position is one of three key positions on the field. You must
have someone who can play a consistent game and make the routine plays. He messed
up a play that was nothing more than routine. He didn’t have to dive for the
ball all he had to do is flip to Cano who would then throw it onto first base.
Obviously we see that Marte has talent. He can run and he has hit good a lot of
the season except recently but his defense is not solid at all. The question
now is shortstop the best position for him. Maybe he would be better at second
base. If that is the case than the Mariners will need to trade him during the
off-season because we know that Robinson Cano will be the second baseman for
several more years. During the trading deadline Dipoto tried to get a veteran
shortstop from the Cincinnati Reds however the time runs out. I am sure he will
get back together with the Reds during the off-season to see if they are still
interested in making a trade. Since the Reds are in a rebuilding mode I would
not be surprised if they include Marte in the trade. So the Mariners should
move on at shortstop. Well they have five games remaining in the season so let’s
see if they can win these games and by some miracle get into the playoffs. Go M’s.
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