The Mariner Monitor

 Jim Bryant/AP 

The sight of backup catcher Jaime Burke taking the mound in the 15th (it was the 15th, right? I lost count after 12) was incredible not because a position player was forced to pitch in a tie game. What was incredible is that Burke taking the mound isn’t even the saddest part of what has been an abysmal season. If anything, it gave us fans a reason to smile while we continue to die a little bit inside every day.

Detroit got the best of the Mariners, 2-1, and by “got the best of” I mean they finally decided to win the game after 14 innings of complacency. I mean someone has to do it and Detroit had no excuses once they saw a backup catcher take the mound.

The sad part is that, based on his inning of work, I’m convinced that Burke could be Seattle’s No. 4 or 5 starter. Why not, right? Miguel Bautista has had much worse innings and I’m pretty sure he can’t throw as hard as Burke.

Yuniesky Bentancourt was the only Mariner to drive in a run, plating William Bloomquist in the third inning with a double. And Ichiro reminded the fans that, yes, Seattle does indeed have a legitimate all star. His diving catch in the fourth inning was like a perfect golf shot: no matter how bad your game is, when you rip that one shot, it keeps you coming back for more pain.