Sleep can wait; the M’s are rallying

• I mean, really, how could anyone go to bed last night at a decent hour? The A’s had lost . The Tigers had won. Felix Hernandez had pitched six shutout innings and the Mariners were in a scoreless tie with the Astros. The clock may have been about to strike 10, but there was no way the TV was going off and the pajamas on. This is pennant-race baseball. Don’t we all have memories of pennant-race baseball? Given enough time, I can trace mine all the way back to 1965, though there was a moment in the early 1980s that really stands out. Kim and I, newlyweds to the core, were vacationing in a Canada while the Dodgers were trying to hunt down the Braves in one of those typical National League West races of the day. Thanks to TBS (though I think it was called WTBS back then), we could still watch baseball when we called it a night. I remember we checked into some $10-a-night hotel in middle-of-nowhere Alberta, where we had to dodge bugs and stains on the carpet. But we were still happy because the TV had the game. And when the Braves’ Rafael Ramirez let a 10th-inning ground ball go through his legs – I remember that clearly – and the Dodgers miraculously won, we expressed our happiness. Loudly. Which warranted a knock on the door from the manager. Damn Americans. But such expressions of happiness have been rare around here recently. If your allegiance is to the Mariners, September excitement the past few years has been reserved for an occasional no-hitter or a call-up who seems to have a future. Games that matter? Hah. This year is different, though. Last night was all about the action, boss. And Brad Miller supplied it , coming through with a two-out, sixth-inning single to put Seattle up 1-0. And, after Brandon Maurer had let Felix’s win fly away, Miller lined a triple to right center in the eighth (pictured below), putting the M’s on top 3-1. But bed still wasn’t possible. Not with Fernando Rodney in the pen. Sure, the M’s drove Miller home and led 4-1 going into the ninth. But you just never know what Rodney will do, good or bad. So you have to wait until the last pitch, nibbling on your fingernails just as Rodney nibbles on the corners. Finally, the arrow was pulled from his quill and sleep beckoned. It may have been somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 p.m., but the long night was worth it. One thing I’ve learned over the years watching race after race, if a team like Seattle is going to make the postseason, some also-rans will have to come through on occasion. Guys like Miller or Endy Chavez or Dustin Ackley. A youngster feeling the pressure for the first time. A veteran who has been there before and wants one more taste. A guy who seemed destined for greatness, but never panned out. It’s been happening for the M’s this season, with different guys stepping up at key times. So don’t worry if your circadian rhythms are disrupted. It’s a pennant race, dang it.

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• WSU: There is little time for rest in Pullman either, not when the football team is 0-2. That record doesn’t bode well at all for the rest of the season, if history is any guide . But it’s also not time to give up, as Jacob Thorpe documents. The WSU depth chart changed again this week, with younger guys showing up in backup spots, which means they’ll see the field this week against Portland State. Jacob’s notebook this morning details Mike Leach’s reasoning behind the poor start – the word “focus” comes into play here. But that’s not all. Jacob also has a handful of posts from yesterday, including one with Leach’s complete comments at his press conference and the news the Cougars will bank some wide receivers for next season, including Gabe Marks (pictured). … Jacob also has a first look at Portland State and a morning post with links. … By the way, the Oregon game next weekend will start at 7:30 p.m. and be on ESPN. I won’t see it, however. I will be at my 40th high school reunion. I figured it was about time I showed everyone how fat I am. … I meant to pass this along yesterday but forgot. It’s Jim Moore’s thoughts on the surprising start . … Oregon has refilled its basketball staff .

• Preps: As we told you last week, GSL historian Bill Pierce will occasionally have a blog post here detailing the league’s past. Here is his first one . And, no, I didn’t cover the first North Central/South Central game, though Merle Derrick might have.

• Seahawks: There was some big NFL news yesterday not related to the Seahawks, though, because the NFLPA director was in town, there were some comments related to Ray Rice’s suspension and release. As you probably know, the elevator video finally became public – I think we had it would a few months ago – and the NFL finally had to respond. The way the league has handled this has opened it up to intense criticism , some of which we pass on . Myself, I just feel sorry for Rice’s then-fiancé and now wife Janay, who has to deal with pain once more. … Of course there was Hawks news , too, that never stops . Mainly it has to do with the roster as the team signed a cornerback after injuries have depleted that group. An offensive lineman came aboard as well. … Richard Sherman is not only the best cornerback on the team, he’s also the player rep .

• Mariners: Yes, the final was 4-1. And yes, the M’s have pulled to within one game of the A’s for the top wild-card spot. And yes, it was an exciting game with a lot on the line. But there were fewer than 16,000 people in Safeco last night. I guess I can take solace in the fact that number is quite a bit more than the crowd that showed up last season for a September game with the Astros. … Next year’s schedule features an opener at home and less travel.

• Sounders: With Andy Rose back in the middle , the Sounders lineup is pretty solid. But that doesn’t mean the team with the MLS’ best record might not make some changes before the roster deadline.

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• I’m tired. As you might have guessed, I didn’t get my required hours of sleep last night. No matter when I hit the sack, I get up at the same time. And it’s earlier than it really needs to be. But guess what? I can take a nap if need be. Don’t hate me. Until later …