John Blanchette

For a pitcher, relief is both a job and an intent. The point, simply, is to lower the angst. Phil Klein grasped the concept immediately Tuesday night and in doing so managed to change the entire tenor of what became a 10-3 romp over Boise that kept the Spokane Indians tied for first atop the Northwest League’s East Division.

For a pitcher, relief is both a job and an intent. The point, simply, is to lower the angst. Phil Klein grasped the concept immediately Tuesday night and in doing so managed to change the entire tenor of what became a 10-3 romp over Boise that kept the Spokane Indians tied for first atop the Northwest League’s East Division.

SEATTLE – With a dragnet out to find the offense missing from Seattle sports here this weekend, it turns out we only needed to look across Royal Brougham Boulevard. But who would have thought we’d find the ’27 Yankees of footie?

SEATTLE – Since the All-Star break, even throwing a shutout was no guarantee of victory for a Seattle Mariners pitcher. Felix Hernandez didn’t have that problem Saturday night. A shutout would have been enough. He just didn’t have one in him.

SEATTLE – Ten years later, Lou Piniella does second-guess himself, if only a little. “What could I have done differently?” he said. “I could have brought Jamie Moyer back on really short rest.”

SEATTLE – With a dragnet out to find the offense missing from Seattle sports here this weekend, it turns out we only needed to look across Royal Brougham Boulevard.

SEATTLE – When in doubt, play to your strength – and this weekend, the Seattle Mariners will do exactly that. No, not dribble out feebly to the pitcher. Well, they’ve been doing a lot of that, too.

When in doubt, play to your strength – and this weekend, the Seattle Mariners will do exactly that.

SEATTLE – On Bastille Day, what did the Seattle Mariners decide to celebrate at the ballpark? Nordic Heritage Night.

On Bastille Day, what did the Seattle Mariners decide to celebrate at the ballpark? Nordic Heritage Night. Uff da. Can’t anybody here read a calendar?

If you don’t have at least a minor rooting interest for Adam Shackleford, there just may be a hole in your soul. This should go double for the folks down at the Chamber of Commerce. Here’s a guy who came to town with the impossible task of improving on the instant dynasty that was our indoor football enterprise and yet eventually did, made friends, got himself on a bobblehead, won a championship – and then got fired for his trouble. Rather than bolt town in a slow burn, he continued to make his home here, rustled up a job down the freeway he commutes to and has his new team in its championship game.

If you don’t have at least a minor rooting interest for Adam Shackleford, there just may be a hole in your soul.

An apology? The Spokane Indians treated their customers to a baseball game and a fight on Monday afternoon and the club is apologizing?

An apology? The Spokane Indians treated their customers to a baseball game and a fight on Monday afternoon and the club is apologizing?

Not all the rantings, encouragement, rebukes and advice have stuck with Terrence Lewis, but he hasn’t forgotten at least one thing his college coach once told him. “If you treat it right,” Kelvin Sampson said, “basketball will take you around the world.”

Not all the rantings, encouragement, rebukes and advice have stuck with Terrence Lewis, but he hasn’t forgotten at least one thing his college coach once told him. “If you treat it right,” Kelvin Sampson said, “basketball will take you around the world.”

That noted sports sociologist Dick Vitale took to the Twitter soapbox the other day with his trusty razor to dissect what currently ails us: “Fans once again thrown to the curb with these LOCKOUTS,” he typed. “GREED GREED & MORE GREED!”

Of the many variations on the old joke, the guess here is the folks at Washington State prefer the Spike Milligan version. “All I ask,” the British treasure once said, “is the chance to prove that money can’t make me happy.”

When Eric Beal’s Hoopfest team lost its first game on Saturday, it took a friend by surprise. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you lose down here,” he said.

When Eric Beal’s Hoopfest team lost its first game on Saturday, it took a friend by surprise.