Friday Night Mariners Blow Lead

The Seattle Mariners blew a lead Friday night against the Angels. They had a 5-1 lead late in the game however when the Mariners had Andrew Moore come into the game to relieve in the sixth inning with a 1-1 tie. He was able to pitch well in the sixth inning however things fell apart with two outs in the seventh inning. I am not sure why manager Servais didn’t have someone ready to come in before he gave up four runs to tie the game.

After the game Servais talked about having limited pitchers to use out of the bullpen; Moore was brought up from Tacoma when James Paxton went on the disable list. The intention was to Moore and then likely sending him back down to Tacoma. According to Jerry Dipoto the twelve pitchers in Seattle and the twelve in Tacoma will be ready to pitch any time. So we will probably see a fresh arm come up from Tacoma.

I think the problem Friday night was that Servais played a defensive game when coming to the bullpen. Actually he started offensively on the fact that he took out Gonzales with one and runners on base in the fifth inning. He brought in Emilio Pagan to get the final two outs. Pagan got both outs on a total of six pitches. He then went to Moore. I am not sure why he didn’t leave Pagan in other than he wanted him to be available Saturday night as well. He brought Moore in the sixth inning. I am sort of curious because I am not sure whether Moore has pitched in relief at all. In any case he should have had someone ready in the same manner as when he pulled Gonzales. I am sure Servais didn’t think that the game would fall apart. I hope that he will do things different next time.

When I mean being offensive Servais should have someone ready anytime throughout the game. Erasmo Ramirez starts for the Mariners Saturday night. Since he has tired in the third or fourth inning I would have someone ready to go then. I would have at least one pitcher available per inning after that. In fact to be offensive I would not necessarily have someone pitching a full inning. Whoever comes in could pitch to one or two batters instead. My idea is that the Mariners pitch the game as though they are already in the playoffs. We will have to see what happens starting tonight. Of course we can’t forget it is Edgar Martinez retiring number as well. Be sure that you tune in if you have any chance to do so on either radio or television. Go M’s.