Grip on Sports: When Robinson Cano hits, so do Mariners

Thursday: Want to hear something odd and strange? Robinson Cano had four hits last night. Yes, in one game. No, I haven’t been drinking.

For just the third time in his Mariners career, though the first this season, Cano had four hits. They led to three RBIs. And a 7-0 win over San Diego. The win, the second consecutive shutout of the Padres, was the M’s first win in back-to-back games since June 20. And only the third since May 27. Back-to-back wins three times in more than a month?

That’s shocking.

If you are wondering how Cano was able to collect four hits, look no further than where he hit the ball: up the middle or to left. In other words, he stayed inside the ball and didn’t roll over on anything. A big part of his problem this season has his inability to stay back, let the ball travel and drive it hard the other way. When he’s doing that on fastballs away, he (and most everyone) becomes a better hitter. By waiting longer, he sees the ball better. And isn’t fooled as often by the off-speed pitch.

If you’ve noticed this season, Cano has an awful lot of 3-1 or 3U outs. He’s been getting out front, rolling over and pulling the ball weakly to the first baseman. The timing issue was a big reason why Cano, a career .307 hitter, was at .239 headed into last night’s contest.

So what does last night mean? Maybe little, as three of the hits came off James Shields, a guy Cano’s owned for years. But it could mean a lot and, if it does, mean a lot to the M’s as well. If Cano heats up, the lineup heats up. It’s as simple as that. He’s the catalyst to the M’s offensive success.

Part of that is where he hits in the lineup. The No. 3 hitter is your bell cow, the best you’ve got. He’s the best the M’s have – when he’s right. His struggles this season and the M’s struggles? They aren’t a coincidence. Because of the other part of the equation.

Cano has always been a good hitter, and a decent role model in the batter’s box. (Running out routine grounders, not so much.) When he’s spraying the ball all over the field, driving pitches every which way and driving pitchers nuts, he’s a carrier. Others in the lineup want to contract the very same disease. They follow his lead.

When he’s not hitting worth a darn, then others in the lineup have to attempt to pick him up, they try to do too much and they get out of their comfort zone. It’s pretty simple. Cano hits, the M’s hit. He doesn’t, they don’t. It’s July 2. There is still time to save the season. But, in large part, it’s on Robbie.

Wednesday: What is it about a shirt with U-S-A written across the front, even if it’s not really there? Why does it cause a seemingly rational adult male to root loudly for a women’s team in a sport, at times, he can barely tolerate? Is it jingoism, nationalism, idiocy.

The only sporting event I watched from (near the) start to the finish yesterday was  the U.S. Women’s 2-0 win over Germany in the World Cup semifinals.

At first I was disgusted by the U.S. women’s play. I hate turnovers in any sport and, after watching an occasional Premier League match with my son, I understand they don’t always have to happen on every pass in a soccer match. But that seemed to be the case last night, at least early for the U.S.

Only the stout nature of the United State’s defense – and one completely choked penalty kick from tournament leading scorer Celia Sasic – kept the Americans in the match.

This guy will be watching the final. And, though it’s not something I do much anymore, cheering. For a sport 10 years ago I really didn’t understand. Yes, I get the reason I’m in to it has to do with the name on the front of the jersey. It’s our country’s team and we want it to do well. But I’ve come to appreciate the sport when it’s played well. And this team plays it well, especially on the defensive end.

So the U.S. women have 90 more minutes. Ninety minutes of competition then either four years to celebrate or four years like they spent the last four. I’m sure, as is the case with the rest of us, they would rather have the former.

Tuesday: Let’s say it. A hot, dry day at the end of June isn’t conducive to doing a lot outside. Or to a lot of local news stories.

I didn’t expect a lot of new stories around here today and, surprisingly, I was right about something. Heck, Mondays are usually a bit quieter anyway, but throw in a debilitating weekend and on off-day for the Mariners and what do you have? Not much.

If Russell Wilson had only said something controversial on his national interview last night, we might have had more. But hoping for Wilson to say something controversial is like hoping for it to snow today. You’re going to come up empty.