Game 48

Athletics 5, Mariners 6 (10)

Yet another extra innings win for the Mariners. I find myself wishing for bonus baseball now, whenever we have a close lead. Mainly because I’m reasonably sure the Mariners’ pen will blow it, but also because Seattle has lost only 1 game all year that has gone out of regulation.

Tonight was another Ichipalooza. For the second straight night , the Man from Orix owned the basepaths. But he had just a little help, from

KABOONE!

It seems that while hitting .240, Bret Boone seems to have remembered how to hit for power. He’s still hacking away at imaginary weeds growing up from home plate, but at least a few batted balls are falling in the field lately, rather than in the stands behind home plate. The incredible youth movement has not been lost on “team leader” Boone, whose days are numbered in remaining Plate Appearances. And he’s one of a vanishingly small number of Mariners left from the 2001 miracle team.

Who should we fire next? Today we gave Silent H his papers, calling up pitcher Bobby Madritsch. Bobby is now the 16th Mariners player who has worn a Rainers jersey this year.

Of course, I don’t have one yet, so I can’t wear it to the games. Mind you, if they were actually sold in Tacoma, I’d have one several times over. Alas, the days of wine and money are over (for now), so I’ll have to wait until next year. But it seems likely that the Mariners team store may start selling them soon, since most of our players seem to be wearing them of late.

Meanwhile, Bucky Jacobsen steps up to bat for the fifth time in the ninth. After a bajilllion throws to first, Randy “have I been traded yet, or what” Winn is finally tagged out, and we go to bonus baseball.

Which brings us back to Bobby. Far be it for Bunting Bob to leave Guardado, (who is on metaphorical fire of late) in the game for one more inning. No no, can’t do that, he’s supposed to finish games, not…damn.

Bob’s thought process must have been something like this: “Time to test the new kid out, since a) it’s been two weeks since he was last on the DL, b) George Sherrill has been in as many games as Bucky since the two were called up last week, c) Blackley and Putz have been shelled in Piniero-esque fashion, and finally:

d) Seattle loves Raniers players.”

Against all odds attendant with Bob’s Favor, Madritsch “Gits ‘R’ Done.” A quick top 10, and then back to…

Bucky. The crowd roars and comes alive. I’ve seen this kind of buzz before, but it was for another Seattle DH. I weep for my old man,and embrace the new man with teary eyes.

Tears of joy, that is. Like the return of Raul Mojo earlier tonight, wishes do come true, and Jacobsen sends the first pitch he sees deep into center field.

M’s win.