Wednesday, September 10, 2003
WIND TAKEN OUT OF SAILS
So goes Tuesday’s undisputed death knell of the Mariners 2003 season. Like Steve Sandmeyer said, the Mariners were going along for 7+ innings winning the game like all Mariners fans were used to seeing the first few months of the season -- a few early runs, some great starting pitching, and then handing it over to the bullpen. That last part was the hang-up today though. It’s become pretty apparent to me that the Mariners can’t get it all together. SOMETHING has to go wrong, and something will go wrong. Something will not be dependable. If the hitting’s there and the starting pitching’s there, the bullpen blows up. If the bullpen and starting pitching are great, the hitting sucks. If the hitting and bullpen are great, the starting pitching had already dug a hole too big to come out of. They just can’t have it all going.
Two great voice mails on the KJR “Groz and Gas Mails” segment. One featured a guy who was hawking fake Mariner merchandise, featuring a Benitez bobblehead that would explode if within 100 yards of Palmeiro. Another piece of merchandise here was a tee-shirt saying “TWO ON AND NO OUTS…SO WHAT!!” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Another caller posed as Rafael Palmeiro with a horrible accent. Actual quote: “I pound balls here at Safeco Field like I pound [my woman] with The Big Pfizer Riser.” Hilarious.
Now, to the game notes, aided by SportsLine where necessary.
Top 1: Young took a first-pitch ball, and got ahead 2-0. Franklin battled back to even the count at 2-2 before he whiffed Young. Blalock took a first-pitch ball, later had a 3-1 count, fell into a full count, then flew out to Winn. Rodriguez grounded out to Guillen on the first pitch. Decent inning for Franklin: 13 pitches, 8 strikes.
Bot 1: Ichiro took a first-pitch ball, got ahead 2-0, then flew out to Jason Jones in RF. Guillen took a first-pitch strike then flew out to Jones on 1-1. Boone took a first-pitch strike, got to 1-2 then flew out to Jones. In case you didn’t notice, all three hitters flew out to the rightfielder. Easy inning for Mounce: 11 pitches, 7 strikes.
Top 2: Raf Palmeiro took a first-pitch ball, got to 2-2, full, then flew out to Cameron on the warning track in right-center. Teixeira took a first-pitch ball then lined out to Cameron, who made a running catch. Nix took a first-pitch ball, got to 1-2, then fisted a single into rightfield. Jones took a first-pitch strike, then flew out to Winn. Good inning after battling with Raf; Franklin: inn - 15 pitches, 10 strikes; tot – 28 pitches, 18 strikes.
Bot 2: Edgar took a first-pitch strike, got behind 0-2 then flew out to Nix in center. Olerud took a first-pitch ball, got a 2-0 count, fell back to 2-2, then grounded out to Young at second. Cameron took a first-pitch ball then flew out to Jones in right. Another easy one for Mounce: inn – 11 pitches, 7 strikes; tot – 22 pitches, 14 strikes.
Top 3: Laird (who the hell is he) flew out to Boone on the first pitch. Clark (ex-Mariner Rule V-er) took a first-pitch strike, went to 2-2 and full counts then bounced out to Guillen. Young took a first-pitch ball, then bounced out to Sanchez on 1-1. Fairly easy inning for Franklin: inn – 10 pitches, 6 strikes; tot – 38 pitches, 24 strikes.
Bot 3: Winn took a first-pitch ball, got a 2-0 count, fell back to 2-2 then flew out to Clark in left. Sanchez took a first-pitch strike then bounced out to second. Wilson took a first-pitch strike then hit a single back up the middle. Ichiro took a first-pitch ball and hit a double into the left-center gap. Runners were on second and third with 2 out for Guillen. He took a first-pitch strike, got behind 0-2, battled to 2-2, then singled to rightfield to score Wilson and Ichiro, but got nailed trying to stretch it into a double. Mounce was in some trouble after getting the first two out. Mounce: inn - 18 pitches, 13 strikes; tot – 40 pitches, 27 strikes. SEATTLE 2-0.
!!!!!17543 in Atlanta Monday!!!!!
+++Paniagua released by Sox after flipping off ump+++
Top 4: Blalock hit a first-pitch double over Winn’s head in left. Cameron has that ball if he’s playing left. I guarantee it. Alex took a first-pitch strike, fell back 0-2, then hit a hard liner to Ichiro who almost overran the ball and had to jump to get it. Raf flew out to Cameron on the first pitch, as another sigh swept through the park. Teixeira took a first-pitch ball, got a 3-1 count then flew out to Cameron. Frankin does great, and strands Blalock on second with nobody out; great job by Franklin: inn – 11 pitches, 8 strikes; tot – 49 pitches, 32 strikes.
Bot 4: Boone took a first-pitch strike, got a 3-1 count, went full and hit a hard single to center. Mounce had Boone picked off first, but Teixeira threw the ball into center field trying to nail Boone at second. Boone was credited with a stolen base and ended up on second. Edgar took a first-pitch ball then hit what looked like a lazy fly ball to rightfield, but it had enough carry on it to get over the fence. The Mariners have a 4-0 lead for the first time in forever, and it looks good at this point. Olerud takes a first-pitch ball, went to 1-2 then grounded out to second. Cameron took a first-pitch ball, then flew out to left. Winn took a first-pitch ball, went to 2-2, full and then hit a single to left to give himself a 5-game hit streak. Sanchez took a first-pitch ball then flew out to rightfield. More trouble for Mounce: inn – 25 pitches, 14 strikes; tot – 65 pitches, 41 strikes. SEATTLE 4-0.
Top 5: Nix took a first-pitch ball and got to 2-0 and 2-2 before bouncing out to Boone. Jones hit a first-pitch foul, got to 1-2 then doubled into the rightfield corner. Laird took a first-pitch strike then hit a single to center on 1-1 to score Jones. Clark got a first-pitch ball, 2-0, 3-1, and full counts before flying out to Cameron. Young got a first-pitch foul then singled to center. Blalock got a first-pitch ball, 2-0, 2-2, and full counts before bouncing out to Boone. Franklin has trouble, but gets out of it, though he threw way too many pitches. Franklin: inn – 30 pitches, 17 strikes; tot – 79 pitches, 49 strikes. SEATTLE 4-1.
Bot 5: Wilson took a first-pitch strike, got to 2-2 and full counts before flying out to right. Ichiro hit a first-pitch groundout to the pitcher (CLUTCH!!). Guillen took a first-pitch strike, fouled off the second pitch, then was caught looking. EASY inning for Mounce: inn – 11 pitches, 8 strikes; tot – 76 pitches, 49 strikes,
Top 6: Alex took a first-pitch strike then singled to left. Raf hit a first-pitch foul, went 2-2 and full then bounced into a 4-6-3 double play. Teixeira flew out to Olerud on the first pitch. Nix took a first-pitch ball, got behind 1-2 then flew out to Winn. Franklin gets a gift from the defense and gets through unscathed. Franklin: inn – 14 pitches, 8 strikes; tot – 93 pitches, 57 strikes.
Bot 6: Erasmo Garcia came on to pitch for Texas. Boone whiffed for a first-pitch strike, got down 0-2, and bounced out to second. Edgar took a first-pitch ball, got to 3-0 and 3-1 and walked. Olerud hit a first-pitch foul then flew out to center. Cam hit a first-pitch foul, then bounced a 1-1 pitch to Blalock who forced out Edgar at second. Decent inning for Garcia: 13 pitches, 8 strikes.
Top 7: Jones hit a first-pitch strike and got down 0-2 before bouncing out to Boone, who had to dive to make the putout. Great play by Boone. Laird took a first-pitch strike before flying out to Sanchez on 1-1. Clark took a first-pitch ball before flying out to Guillen in foul territory. Franklin: inn – 10 pitches, 7 strikes; tot – 103 pitches, 64 strikes.
Bot 7: Winn bunted foul before flying out to right. Sanchez bounced out to short on the first pitch. Wilson took a first-pitch ball before bouncing out to third. FRIGGING EASY INNING for Garcia: inn – 5 pitches, 4 strikes; tot – 18 pitches, 12 strikes.
Top 8: Though I was surprised to see Franklin out there to start the 8th, I shouldn’t have been so surprised because he had thrown well over 105 pitches in quite a few of his recent outings. Melvin had a short leash on his pitch count in the beginning of the season, but it got longer. Young took a first-pitch strike and flew out to left on the next pitch. This is where it gets dicey. After 105 pitches (and with at least 10 or 15 left in the tank), Melvin pulls Franklin for Rhodes to face the lefty Blalock. Of course, hindsight says leave Franklin in. At the time, I think “God, don’t put in Rhodes.” Why? Can you remember the last time Rhodes came through in the clutch? Well, it wasn’t here. Franklin: inn – 2 pitches, 2 strikes; tot – 105 pitches, 66 strikes. Blalock took a first-pitch ball and FRIGGING RIPPED the next pitch into the corner in rightfield for a single, not a double thanks to Ichiro’s arm. Bottom line is, Franklin was told he was going to be pulled after the first hitter before the inning no matter what. Other bottom line: Rhodes’ only job is to get lefties out, and he friggin didn’t even do that. Rhodes: 3 pitches, 2 strikes. Hindsight again: if worst-case scenario happens and Franklin gives up a bomb to Blalock, the worst that could happen is Seattle 4-2, with one out and nobody on for whoever relieves him. Instead, Rhodes craps the bed and doesn’t get anyone out and is yanked for Benitez. Alex takes a first-pitch ball, gets down 1-2 then Benitez throws three straight balls. Texas has two on and one out for Raf. Raf takes a first-pitch ball then gets a 2-0 count. What do you think Benitez is going to throw here? His best pitch is the fastball. Before this pitch, I was thinking, “OF COURSE Benitez is going to groove this one.” You just knew it was going, and it did so to rightfield to tie the game. And of course, there’s the “where the hell was Soriano” question. I don’t know the answer to that one. He was well-rested and had only thrown 8 pitches on Sunday in Baltimore. Teixeira took a first-pitch strike, got to 1-2 and 2-2 then flew out to Ichiro. Nix took a first-pitch ball then took THREE MORE BALLS to walk on four pitches. Benitez was yanked for Mateo. Benitez sucked (18 pitches and SIX STRIKES), that can be said. But I’m not getting Rhodes get away with not doing his job either. He HAS to get Blalock out, and I’ve been pissed at this guy for three damn months, as well as this team’s performance as a whole. Jones took a first-pitch ball from Mateo then got to 2-0 and 2-2 before knocking Olerud off his feet with a line drive into his glove. This is easily the most demoralizing inning of Mariner baseball for the season, and it’s their death knell, as I said earlier. Mateo: 5 pitches, 3 strikes. More about this later.
Bot 8: Some stiff named Ron Mahay came on to pitch for the Rangers. Ichiro took a first-pitch ball, got to 2-0 and 2-2 then STEPPED UP and doubled to right field. Guillen (DUMB PLAY HERE) only has to bunt the runner over, and instead BUNTS THE FRIGGING BALL IN THE DAMN AIR ON THE FIRST PITCH. One out, just like that. Damn you to hell, Guillen. Fundamentals just go out the window with this damn team. Boone took a first-pitch ball, then got (hitter’s counts) 2-0 AND 3-1 before going full and lining out to left. Note: a good bunt from Guillen and Ichiro scores from third on this and gives the Mariners the lead. Edgar was put on base to face Olerud. Great strategy. Olerud takes a first-pitch ball then gets a 2-0 pitch and weakly flies out to left. FRIGGIN CLUTCH. Mahay: 18 pitches, 7 strikes.
Top 9: Hasegawa in for the Mariners, though you could just use Mateo and save Shig for when/if you get the lead. Why just use Mateo for one out when he’s primed for long relief? Laird bunt-flew the first pitch to Shig. Clark took a first-pitch strike, fell behind 0-2 then whiffed through a low-and-away breaking ball. Young bounced out to Shig on the first pitch. Easy inning for Shig: 6 pitches, 5 strikes.
Bot 9: Cam took a first-pitch strike, got to 3-1 then flew out to first. CLUTCH! Winn took a first-pitch strike, got down 0-2 then flew out to center. CLUTCH! Sanchez fouled off a first-pitch strike, then fouled a ball (barely) down the line on 1-1. On 1-2 he singled to center. Wilson fouled off a first-pitch strike, got down 0-2 and 1-2 before flying out to right. CLUTCH!!!! Mahay: inn – 16 pitches, 11 strikes; tot – 34 pitches, 18 strikes.
Top 10: Blalock took a first-pitch strike then flew out to Ichiro. Alex took a first-pitch ball, got to 3-1 then walked. Then Raf took a first-pitch ball, then got ahead 2-0 and 3-0 before falling full and singling to center. Texas had runners on the corners with one out. Teixeira singled on the first pitch to score Alex. Nix fouled off two pitches, then grounded out to Shig on 1-2. Christenson took a first-pitch ball then flew out to left. Shig: inn - 20 pitches, 10 strikes; tot – 26 pitches, 15 strikes. TEXAS 5-4.
Bot 10: Cordero pitched for Texas. The game was over by this point. Ichiro took a first-pitch strike, got to 2-2 then bounced to third. CLUTCH! Guillen took a first-pitch ball then got to 1-2 and whiffed. CLUTCH! Boone (see Guillen). GAME OVER.
I’d elaborate, but the game is in seven minutes.
Two great voice mails on the KJR “Groz and Gas Mails” segment. One featured a guy who was hawking fake Mariner merchandise, featuring a Benitez bobblehead that would explode if within 100 yards of Palmeiro. Another piece of merchandise here was a tee-shirt saying “TWO ON AND NO OUTS…SO WHAT!!” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Another caller posed as Rafael Palmeiro with a horrible accent. Actual quote: “I pound balls here at Safeco Field like I pound [my woman] with The Big Pfizer Riser.” Hilarious.
Now, to the game notes, aided by SportsLine where necessary.
Top 1: Young took a first-pitch ball, and got ahead 2-0. Franklin battled back to even the count at 2-2 before he whiffed Young. Blalock took a first-pitch ball, later had a 3-1 count, fell into a full count, then flew out to Winn. Rodriguez grounded out to Guillen on the first pitch. Decent inning for Franklin: 13 pitches, 8 strikes.
Bot 1: Ichiro took a first-pitch ball, got ahead 2-0, then flew out to Jason Jones in RF. Guillen took a first-pitch strike then flew out to Jones on 1-1. Boone took a first-pitch strike, got to 1-2 then flew out to Jones. In case you didn’t notice, all three hitters flew out to the rightfielder. Easy inning for Mounce: 11 pitches, 7 strikes.
Top 2: Raf Palmeiro took a first-pitch ball, got to 2-2, full, then flew out to Cameron on the warning track in right-center. Teixeira took a first-pitch ball then lined out to Cameron, who made a running catch. Nix took a first-pitch ball, got to 1-2, then fisted a single into rightfield. Jones took a first-pitch strike, then flew out to Winn. Good inning after battling with Raf; Franklin: inn - 15 pitches, 10 strikes; tot – 28 pitches, 18 strikes.
Bot 2: Edgar took a first-pitch strike, got behind 0-2 then flew out to Nix in center. Olerud took a first-pitch ball, got a 2-0 count, fell back to 2-2, then grounded out to Young at second. Cameron took a first-pitch ball then flew out to Jones in right. Another easy one for Mounce: inn – 11 pitches, 7 strikes; tot – 22 pitches, 14 strikes.
Top 3: Laird (who the hell is he) flew out to Boone on the first pitch. Clark (ex-Mariner Rule V-er) took a first-pitch strike, went to 2-2 and full counts then bounced out to Guillen. Young took a first-pitch ball, then bounced out to Sanchez on 1-1. Fairly easy inning for Franklin: inn – 10 pitches, 6 strikes; tot – 38 pitches, 24 strikes.
Bot 3: Winn took a first-pitch ball, got a 2-0 count, fell back to 2-2 then flew out to Clark in left. Sanchez took a first-pitch strike then bounced out to second. Wilson took a first-pitch strike then hit a single back up the middle. Ichiro took a first-pitch ball and hit a double into the left-center gap. Runners were on second and third with 2 out for Guillen. He took a first-pitch strike, got behind 0-2, battled to 2-2, then singled to rightfield to score Wilson and Ichiro, but got nailed trying to stretch it into a double. Mounce was in some trouble after getting the first two out. Mounce: inn - 18 pitches, 13 strikes; tot – 40 pitches, 27 strikes. SEATTLE 2-0.
!!!!!17543 in Atlanta Monday!!!!!
+++Paniagua released by Sox after flipping off ump+++
Top 4: Blalock hit a first-pitch double over Winn’s head in left. Cameron has that ball if he’s playing left. I guarantee it. Alex took a first-pitch strike, fell back 0-2, then hit a hard liner to Ichiro who almost overran the ball and had to jump to get it. Raf flew out to Cameron on the first pitch, as another sigh swept through the park. Teixeira took a first-pitch ball, got a 3-1 count then flew out to Cameron. Frankin does great, and strands Blalock on second with nobody out; great job by Franklin: inn – 11 pitches, 8 strikes; tot – 49 pitches, 32 strikes.
Bot 4: Boone took a first-pitch strike, got a 3-1 count, went full and hit a hard single to center. Mounce had Boone picked off first, but Teixeira threw the ball into center field trying to nail Boone at second. Boone was credited with a stolen base and ended up on second. Edgar took a first-pitch ball then hit what looked like a lazy fly ball to rightfield, but it had enough carry on it to get over the fence. The Mariners have a 4-0 lead for the first time in forever, and it looks good at this point. Olerud takes a first-pitch ball, went to 1-2 then grounded out to second. Cameron took a first-pitch ball, then flew out to left. Winn took a first-pitch ball, went to 2-2, full and then hit a single to left to give himself a 5-game hit streak. Sanchez took a first-pitch ball then flew out to rightfield. More trouble for Mounce: inn – 25 pitches, 14 strikes; tot – 65 pitches, 41 strikes. SEATTLE 4-0.
Top 5: Nix took a first-pitch ball and got to 2-0 and 2-2 before bouncing out to Boone. Jones hit a first-pitch foul, got to 1-2 then doubled into the rightfield corner. Laird took a first-pitch strike then hit a single to center on 1-1 to score Jones. Clark got a first-pitch ball, 2-0, 3-1, and full counts before flying out to Cameron. Young got a first-pitch foul then singled to center. Blalock got a first-pitch ball, 2-0, 2-2, and full counts before bouncing out to Boone. Franklin has trouble, but gets out of it, though he threw way too many pitches. Franklin: inn – 30 pitches, 17 strikes; tot – 79 pitches, 49 strikes. SEATTLE 4-1.
Bot 5: Wilson took a first-pitch strike, got to 2-2 and full counts before flying out to right. Ichiro hit a first-pitch groundout to the pitcher (CLUTCH!!). Guillen took a first-pitch strike, fouled off the second pitch, then was caught looking. EASY inning for Mounce: inn – 11 pitches, 8 strikes; tot – 76 pitches, 49 strikes,
Top 6: Alex took a first-pitch strike then singled to left. Raf hit a first-pitch foul, went 2-2 and full then bounced into a 4-6-3 double play. Teixeira flew out to Olerud on the first pitch. Nix took a first-pitch ball, got behind 1-2 then flew out to Winn. Franklin gets a gift from the defense and gets through unscathed. Franklin: inn – 14 pitches, 8 strikes; tot – 93 pitches, 57 strikes.
Bot 6: Erasmo Garcia came on to pitch for Texas. Boone whiffed for a first-pitch strike, got down 0-2, and bounced out to second. Edgar took a first-pitch ball, got to 3-0 and 3-1 and walked. Olerud hit a first-pitch foul then flew out to center. Cam hit a first-pitch foul, then bounced a 1-1 pitch to Blalock who forced out Edgar at second. Decent inning for Garcia: 13 pitches, 8 strikes.
Top 7: Jones hit a first-pitch strike and got down 0-2 before bouncing out to Boone, who had to dive to make the putout. Great play by Boone. Laird took a first-pitch strike before flying out to Sanchez on 1-1. Clark took a first-pitch ball before flying out to Guillen in foul territory. Franklin: inn – 10 pitches, 7 strikes; tot – 103 pitches, 64 strikes.
Bot 7: Winn bunted foul before flying out to right. Sanchez bounced out to short on the first pitch. Wilson took a first-pitch ball before bouncing out to third. FRIGGING EASY INNING for Garcia: inn – 5 pitches, 4 strikes; tot – 18 pitches, 12 strikes.
Top 8: Though I was surprised to see Franklin out there to start the 8th, I shouldn’t have been so surprised because he had thrown well over 105 pitches in quite a few of his recent outings. Melvin had a short leash on his pitch count in the beginning of the season, but it got longer. Young took a first-pitch strike and flew out to left on the next pitch. This is where it gets dicey. After 105 pitches (and with at least 10 or 15 left in the tank), Melvin pulls Franklin for Rhodes to face the lefty Blalock. Of course, hindsight says leave Franklin in. At the time, I think “God, don’t put in Rhodes.” Why? Can you remember the last time Rhodes came through in the clutch? Well, it wasn’t here. Franklin: inn – 2 pitches, 2 strikes; tot – 105 pitches, 66 strikes. Blalock took a first-pitch ball and FRIGGING RIPPED the next pitch into the corner in rightfield for a single, not a double thanks to Ichiro’s arm. Bottom line is, Franklin was told he was going to be pulled after the first hitter before the inning no matter what. Other bottom line: Rhodes’ only job is to get lefties out, and he friggin didn’t even do that. Rhodes: 3 pitches, 2 strikes. Hindsight again: if worst-case scenario happens and Franklin gives up a bomb to Blalock, the worst that could happen is Seattle 4-2, with one out and nobody on for whoever relieves him. Instead, Rhodes craps the bed and doesn’t get anyone out and is yanked for Benitez. Alex takes a first-pitch ball, gets down 1-2 then Benitez throws three straight balls. Texas has two on and one out for Raf. Raf takes a first-pitch ball then gets a 2-0 count. What do you think Benitez is going to throw here? His best pitch is the fastball. Before this pitch, I was thinking, “OF COURSE Benitez is going to groove this one.” You just knew it was going, and it did so to rightfield to tie the game. And of course, there’s the “where the hell was Soriano” question. I don’t know the answer to that one. He was well-rested and had only thrown 8 pitches on Sunday in Baltimore. Teixeira took a first-pitch strike, got to 1-2 and 2-2 then flew out to Ichiro. Nix took a first-pitch ball then took THREE MORE BALLS to walk on four pitches. Benitez was yanked for Mateo. Benitez sucked (18 pitches and SIX STRIKES), that can be said. But I’m not getting Rhodes get away with not doing his job either. He HAS to get Blalock out, and I’ve been pissed at this guy for three damn months, as well as this team’s performance as a whole. Jones took a first-pitch ball from Mateo then got to 2-0 and 2-2 before knocking Olerud off his feet with a line drive into his glove. This is easily the most demoralizing inning of Mariner baseball for the season, and it’s their death knell, as I said earlier. Mateo: 5 pitches, 3 strikes. More about this later.
Bot 8: Some stiff named Ron Mahay came on to pitch for the Rangers. Ichiro took a first-pitch ball, got to 2-0 and 2-2 then STEPPED UP and doubled to right field. Guillen (DUMB PLAY HERE) only has to bunt the runner over, and instead BUNTS THE FRIGGING BALL IN THE DAMN AIR ON THE FIRST PITCH. One out, just like that. Damn you to hell, Guillen. Fundamentals just go out the window with this damn team. Boone took a first-pitch ball, then got (hitter’s counts) 2-0 AND 3-1 before going full and lining out to left. Note: a good bunt from Guillen and Ichiro scores from third on this and gives the Mariners the lead. Edgar was put on base to face Olerud. Great strategy. Olerud takes a first-pitch ball then gets a 2-0 pitch and weakly flies out to left. FRIGGIN CLUTCH. Mahay: 18 pitches, 7 strikes.
Top 9: Hasegawa in for the Mariners, though you could just use Mateo and save Shig for when/if you get the lead. Why just use Mateo for one out when he’s primed for long relief? Laird bunt-flew the first pitch to Shig. Clark took a first-pitch strike, fell behind 0-2 then whiffed through a low-and-away breaking ball. Young bounced out to Shig on the first pitch. Easy inning for Shig: 6 pitches, 5 strikes.
Bot 9: Cam took a first-pitch strike, got to 3-1 then flew out to first. CLUTCH! Winn took a first-pitch strike, got down 0-2 then flew out to center. CLUTCH! Sanchez fouled off a first-pitch strike, then fouled a ball (barely) down the line on 1-1. On 1-2 he singled to center. Wilson fouled off a first-pitch strike, got down 0-2 and 1-2 before flying out to right. CLUTCH!!!! Mahay: inn – 16 pitches, 11 strikes; tot – 34 pitches, 18 strikes.
Top 10: Blalock took a first-pitch strike then flew out to Ichiro. Alex took a first-pitch ball, got to 3-1 then walked. Then Raf took a first-pitch ball, then got ahead 2-0 and 3-0 before falling full and singling to center. Texas had runners on the corners with one out. Teixeira singled on the first pitch to score Alex. Nix fouled off two pitches, then grounded out to Shig on 1-2. Christenson took a first-pitch ball then flew out to left. Shig: inn - 20 pitches, 10 strikes; tot – 26 pitches, 15 strikes. TEXAS 5-4.
Bot 10: Cordero pitched for Texas. The game was over by this point. Ichiro took a first-pitch strike, got to 2-2 then bounced to third. CLUTCH! Guillen took a first-pitch ball then got to 1-2 and whiffed. CLUTCH! Boone (see Guillen). GAME OVER.
I’d elaborate, but the game is in seven minutes.
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