Three Down and One to Go

  Saturday’s game for the Mariners became another frustrating game after the great ceremony for retiring Edgar Martinez number 11. It now sits next to Griffey’s number 24 and Jackie Robinson 42.

The Mariners now have lost three games to the Angels in the series with one remaining on Sunday so the Angels will look to sweep the Mariners in Seattle on a special weekend. Erasmo Ramirez pitched a wonderful game for six innings and not returning to pitch the seventh with the Mariners leading 3-1. The one run was actually on an error by first baseman Yonder Alonso trying to flip the ball to Ramirez on what should have been the third out however he was able to get the next runner out. That took place in the top of the fifth to make the score 2-1 however Kyle Seager hit a home run to center field to make it 3-1 and the Mariners final scoring for the game.

In the seventh inning former Mariner farmhand Valbuena hit a two-run homer with one out off of reliever Casey Lawrence to tie the game 3-3. With the loss of David Phelps the Mariners really don’t have a real setup man to come in the game either in the sixth or seventh inning. The closest guy they have who is being successful is Emilio Pagan. He pitched two-thirds of an inning on Friday night and threw only six pitches. I think they could have used him once again for an inning. I am not sure whose fault it is however the Mariners need to use relievers in the game like they are in the playoffs already.

I am not sure who is still available on the teams that are not in contention however Dipoto needs to find at least one reliever on one of those teams. How much I would like them to get a starter the last three games show the problem is more in the bullpen.

Tony Zych came in the eighth inning and gave up three runs. I am not sure why he was in the game instead of Nick Vincent. The only explanation I would have they wanted to save him with the Mariners ahead.  Personally I would have Zych go in the seventh instead of Lawrence though the results may have been the same.

Another option would be to have Ramirez go into the bullpen and have Chris Bergman start. At this point the Mariners have four starters in Ramirez, Miranda who goes Sunday, Gallardo and Gonzales. Right now not sure who will start on Tuesday.

I hope things will change around today against the Angels before facing the Baltimore Orioles in a three-game series.

In football the Seattle Seahawks face the Chargers in San Diego Sunday night. Right now Thomas Rawls is the starting running back however Lee Lacy is on his tail looking to start instead. Both of will see some action before the Seahawks will have others out there to play. Most likely see a lot of reserves in the third and fourth quarter. Doug Baldwin won’t be in the game so we will see more receivers than would be expected. Go Hawks!