Mariners Win and Take Series

I guess this is a small thing in a large

picture. The Astros won the division

title on Tuesday beating the Mariners

then Wednesday afternoon the M'S

won the series. I am sure most

Mariners would have preferred the

other away around.

The Mariners won 8-1 on Wednesday

so they still have a chance to make

the playoffs. Last year the Mariners

missed the playoffs by one game

and it may be as close this time

around too.

Scott Servais lost the job as manager

because the Mariners hitters had

trouble hitting the ball and like last

season came fow to striking out

way to much..This year things turned

around with the hiring of Dan Wilson

who brought his buddy and former

teammate Edgar Martinez back to

be hitting coach. He hss done a

good job at that. I figured the M's

would have to win 85 games and

the Astros would have to do the

same or less. The Astros spoiled

it. Now those who are still going

for the wildcard hss to do less as well.

This is sad since the Mariners had

the best pitching staff in the majors

and all the hitters had to do was a

little bit better over the course of

the season.  The Mariners have the 

talent at pitching to do so again

next season or at  least close to it

however it doesn't happen often. 

The Mariners won this game with

much of their starting lineup not

playing and making five errors on

the day. Former Mariners starter

Kikuchi went six innings  giving

up four hits and two runs which

neither was earned. In fact only

three tuns of the Mariners were

earned which means Seattle probably

would have won the game anyway.

The highlight of the game for the

Mariners offense was Julio had his 

20th home run of the season in

the 9th inning with a runner on base.

Pitching George Kirby had another

good outing going six innings giving

up the one run in the third. Like all

the Mariners starters he had to deal

with little support until he left. The

Mariners went rest of the way where

the bullpen didn't give up a hit. None

of high leverage guys pitched except

for Collin Snider who may have moved

back with George Santos being added

back onto the roster.  With three

games remaining against the A's 

those guys all may have to pitch.

Don't know yet the order of pitching

in the final three games against

Oakland but Luis Castillo, Bryan 

Woo and Bryce Miller will start.

We wish them all the best.