Game 63

When last we left our heroes…..

Ichiro was poised to win his second MLB batting title…..

Edgar teeters on the brink of career death….

Bret Boone is awarded $9 million for the worst offensive year of his career…

Jamie Moyer has tied the Mariners record for most home runs given up in a season, with 38 games to go..

And the Mariners are one game away from the worst record in the American League, possibly mandating the first change in the second half of their line at right since such things became tracked here.

Esteban arrives just ahead of the southbound presidential candidate, having dodged 3 wrecks and two stoppages while westbound. Not the best of days for him, but my luck is turning for the better.

Our parking spot is just where we left it, and Steve has his magic hat in the truck. After a quick stop at Joe’s, we arrive to discover plenty of Ichiro hats left, and also that the night previously known as “Ichiro Cap Night” is now retitled “Japan Night.”

The last time Safeco Field and the Mariners celebrated Japanese baseball in Seattle, they flew in legendary players From the Pacific League, and regaled a packed house to the tales of their darring-do. A walk through museum of Japanese Baseball history, and its roots here in Seattle, was set up in the standing area of Left center Field. A full week of buildup and in-stadium promotion was used to inform the city.

Tonight, nothing. Almost as bad as last night’s disaster of “Native American Baseball Night.” A promotion which necessitated my inebriation to avoid raging against something or other. During our exit from game 62, we waded through paper mountains of rolled up posters, meant to symbolize the rich tradition of Native American MLB legends.

(I dare you to name 3 of the 14. Hint, only one is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame)

Japan Night?

Tonight, one former Japanese player was in attendance, mainly because he lives in Kirkland. He was previously honored in this season for a completely different reason, but since he was Japanese, he got a phone call. Shortened video spots of Pacific League heroes (the same ones used for the last version of this promotion) were flashed before the uncomprehending eyes of Joe Sixpack, and there may well have been free caps left over at the end of the game. One was even thrown onto the Right field warning track in the 9th inning

Pathetic.

Much like the first four innings of Mariner baseball. Aside from Ichiro’s inevitable 201st hit (presaged by a rebroadcast of Mark’s bobbing head), there was little to cheer about before 8:00 PM. No baserunners and no hits after the first frame, until this exchange(courtesy of MLB.com).

Bottom 5th B:3 S:2 O:1
Scott Spiezio lines out to right fielder Abraham Nunez.

Bottom 5th B:0 S:2 O:1
Miguel Olivo homers (13) on a fly ball to left center field.

Bottom 5th B:1 S:0 O:1
Jose Lopez homers (2) on a fly ball to left field.

Bottom 5th B:0 S:1 O:1
Hiram Bocachica homers (3) on a fly ball to right center field.

Bottom 5th B:2 S:1 O:2
Ichiro Suzuki grounds out, third baseman Joe Randa to first baseman Matt Stairs.

Bottom 5th B:2 S:2 O:2
Jolbert Cabrera singles on a line drive to left fielder Aaron Guiel.

Bottom 5th B:0 S:1 O:2
Raul Ibanez doubles (21) on a ground ball to right fielder Abraham Nunez. Jolbert Cabrera to 3rd.

Bottom 5th B:2 S:3 O:3
Bucky Jacobsen called out on strikes.

The bell rings its sad, Seattle lullaby three times. However, factoring in the other two HRs of the inning (the ones issued to the Royals in the top of the frame) the Mariners still trailed 4-3.

Not the best of plans, if you want to avoid having the worst record in the league after 9.

Certainly not that great for Meche, even aided by another HR by his batterymate in the 6th. He leaves on the hook for a loss, and the M’s bats go back to sleep.

In the top of the 8th, Bunting Bob watches the Royals regain the lead, when Abraham Nunez hits his second bomb in as many days.

Who are these guys? At least I’d heard of a few of the Devil Rays, even the ones that didn’t previously play for us.

Bottom 8, Slumpy McBoone and the SS. Spezio decide that they should hit home runs too, since everyone else is doing it. (Also, because everything else they hit finds an empty glove. ) You astute readers got that right, 9 total HR for the night, the super-majority of which were hit by Seattle batsmen. Miraculously, the Mariners manage to protect a 2 run lead, and win in regulation.

Win. Has a nice ring to it. And he wasn’t in the lineup tonight either.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Tomorrow, Join Bhagwan and the Ricker as they face the perils of….Doubleheader Parking!