One Down Two to Go

Tony Gonzales may have lost in New York however he had won five straight so if he continues on the same way I will take this loss.

I find it interesting about the fifth inning. I am sure I have mentioned it before but that seems to always be a key inning. Often pitchers falter in the fifth inning. If they can make it through that inning than often is a success; it is like getting through the first inning as well. I know to that some pitchers may have trouble in other innings as well whether before or after the fifth inning.

I have mentioned before that the most difficult job for a manager is when to take a pitcher out of the game. I think it would be when they are starting to tire but how is determined as well. The importance is that the pitcher is honest with the manager when they go out to the mound to check on them. It is difficult when the manager doesn’t know the pitcher that well because they are knew on the scene.

On Tuesday night’s game against the Yankees it was a tie going into the fifth inning. Earlier in the season Gonzales struggled in the fifth inning but in recent times he has been able to go into the sixth and seventh inning. Like I said he had won five straight games so a lapse makes sense we just hope he can get back onto going further into the games.

The positive side the Mariners didn’t have to use up their bullpen however the Yankees didn’t either. Gonzales pitched six and one-third innings before taken out for Nick Rumbelow who recently called up and pitched in his second game. He went the remaining one and two-thirds innings. The final score of the game was 7-2 and most of the scoring came from the long ball. I mentioned yesterday that was a key to the game. We can hope the Yankees got it out of their system.

Felix Hernandez goes for the Mariners Wednesday night and we hope that he rises to the occasion. It will be good to see some of the old Felix or the new Felix or whatever. The key is for him to be able to go at least six innings without giving up many runs and win the game. It would be nice for the Mariners to go into Thursday’s game with a win regardless what happens then. Of course I want them to win these two games in New York but the key is to get at least one win before going into Boston. I still believe the Mariners can split the road trip 5-5 it will be a success though 6-4 would be even better.

The offense only got two hits in the game with Dee Gordon hitting a double leading off the game and then Nelson Cruz hitting a home run in the seventh inning so the Mariners have only getting ahead with the offense as well.

Whenever doubt comes in the Mariners always turn things around so I expect that to happen once again. Go M’s.