The Mariner Monitor

Tuesday night was a battle between the American League’s two worst teams and someone had to win the game. So the Mariners graciously accepted the role of loser and endured nine innings of jail love en route to a 12-8 loss to the Tigers.

Oh, a four-run loss doesn’t sound too bad, you say. It is when you consider Detroit had an 11-1 lead going into the seventh inning. And even ignoring that, when you score eight runs against a group of players more content with sleeping before the game rather than looking over scouting film, you should be winning. But, this should come as no surprise to Seattle fans. This game was just a microcosm of the entire season.

Poor pitching: Carlos Silva gave up nine hits, seven runs and one walk in four innings without striking out a single batter. Che Seung Baek was on pace to do better than Mr. Silva by giving up four runs off six hits in just two innings of work.

Poor fielding: An easy grounder skipped passed Jose Lopez that allowed the game-tying run to come in and open the floodgates. And Yuniesky Betancourt’s mental error–covering second on a hit and run when he wasn’t supposed to–set up the Tigers’ five-run fourth inning.

Poor hitting: Well, the team did score eight runs but seven of them came way too late. When your pitcher is being beaten like a rented mule and you’re going up against a starter who is 1-7 going into the game, you have to give more support than just one run in the first six innings.

Unfortunately the Mariners have to take the field 116 more times this year, so one can’t get too down after a game like this. The way the team is playing, there will be plenty of games like this one.

The good news is that I can catch the carnage live this evening! I’m just a short car ride away from Comerica Park and I have the night off so I will be going to tonight’s game and taking photos.

Hopefully I can get close enough to catch John McLaren crying in the dugout.