Grip on Sports: Will someone please find the snake that bit the Mariners?
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Writing about the Mariners isn’t something we really want to do today. But how can you avoid it? In the bottom of the eighth inning it looked as if they were going to knock the Angels right out of the wild-card race. Twenty minutes (and a dozen Edwin Diaz pitches outside the strike zone) later, they had lost in the worst possible way. Read on.
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• The 6-3 loss hurts. Badly. But it may not be the worst thing that happened Thursday night.
That might have come in the seventh inning, when James Paxton threw a pitch and grimaced.
Paxton, the big left-hander who had won seven consecutive games, then threw a couple more before Mike Zunino jogged out to the mound. The catcher was followed by trainer Rick Griffin, manager Scott Servais and the entire population of British Columbia, or so it seemed.
Paxton’s night was done. He had given up five hits, two of them home runs, and though not as dominate as he’s been, he was again flashing the form that has made him the M’s one dependable starting pitcher the last three weeks.
But it seems he has a left pectoral muscle strain. An MRI is scheduled. Some time today an alert will flash across my phone that may just hold the key to the M’s wild-card pursuit.
If it says something to the effect Paxton’s injury was just a cramp and he should be ready for his next start, then M’s fans can breath easier. If it’s something structural and he’s headed for the disabled list, again, then reach for your inhaler.
If Paxton goes on the DL, the M’s starting rotation includes: Ariel Miranda, who seems to have hit a bit of a sophomore wall; Yovani Gallardo, who crashed into the over-the-hill wall last season; Marco Gonzales, who we hope will do great because he’s a Gonzaga alum, but has an ERA in double digits; Erasmo Ramirez, the recycled right-hander who wasn’t good enough the last time he was in Seattle; and … who?
It will have to be a minor leaguer. The M’s aren’t trading for Justin Verlander or anyone of that ilk. It will be Andrew Moore or Sam Gaviglio or, and this is my hope, Christian Bergman (pictured), all of whom have been part of the 15 starters Seattle has used this season.
(If you are wondering why I am rooting for Bergman, I’ve explained that here before. He’s a graduate of St. Francis High and UC Irvine, the same schools I am proud to have on my resume. A Knight and an Anteater. That’s a rare combination.)
No matter who fills Paxton’s spot – if need be – he won’t be James Paxton.
Paxton has been a rock lately. A much needed rock. He’s anchored a rotation that has threatened to disintegrate with Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma and Drew Smyly on the disabled list.
Smyly is never coming back. Hernandez is weeks away. And who knows about Iwakuma, who is like a unicorn these days, always talked about but never making an appearance.
Remember Spain and Sain and pray for rain? The only aspect of that the M’s have is the praying part. At least until the results of Paxton’s MRI are known.
• If you ever watched Steve Gleason play football or baseball for Gonzaga Prep or Washington State, you knew a key element of his athletic ability was courage.
You weren’t that size and make the NFL without a backpack full of it.
But nothing has shown his courageous side more than the past few years as he’s battled ALS with dignity, humor and, yes, courage.
He was back in Pullman yesterday as the school awarded him its highest alumni honor, the Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award.
It’s a well-deserved honor.
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WSU: Theo Lawson was at Gleason’s ceremony and has this story. There is also more coverage of the event. … Theo was also at practice in Lewiston and checks in with this piece on freshman receiver Jamire Calvin. … A couple of Cougars are up for an award. … Mike Leach’s name is coming up again, this time at Mississippi. … The defensive depth chart is still a work in progress. … Derek Bayley ended up second at the Washington State Amateur golf tournament. … A golf cart video is making the rounds. … Around the conference yesterday, there is some news from San Jose that seems interesting. It sounds like sort of what we do here, but with a deeper Pac-12 focus. … Washington’s offense is starting to hit its stride. … Oregon has a lot to get accomplished. Luckily there is more time this season. … Oregon State is trying to improve by being a bit more conservative. … California needs a boost from a big man. … Stanford is trying to build depth in the secondary. … Colorado has a backup quarterback ready to go. … Utah doesn’t have to be pass-happy to win in the Pac-12. … Jim Mora has Josh Rosen’s back. … Sam Darnold has settled into his role at USC. … Arizona State is trying players at different spots up front. … A freshman may have a big role in Arizona’s running game.
EWU: There are more than a couple position battles going on during preseason camp. Jim Allen outlines four of them in today’s story. … Jim also has a story on former Eastern receiver Kendrick Bourne (pictured) trying to make the 49ers. … Around the Big Sky, Southern Utah is developing its own cornerbacks. … An Idaho State offensive lineman is glad to be back playing. So is one in North Dakota. … Montana has a leading running back. … Montana State is working to improve its tight end play. … Northern Arizona should be solid in the defensive middle.
Idaho: One of the Vandals more important defensive players is a former walk-on. Peter Harriman has the story of Ed Hall (pictured), a junior linebacker from Alaska. … Peter also has a story on Matt Linehan’s recent absence from practice, though little is known about the quarterback’s illness. … Jim Allen has Jerry Campbell’s obituary. The former Lewis and Clark High, Vandal and CFL star died Wednesday.
Indians: Thursday afternoon was not productive for Spokane, as the Indians fell 3-2 to Everett, who swept the three-game series. … Around the Northwest League, Hillsboro picked up a win against visiting Salem-Keizer again and Boise topped Eugene again. … The Emeralds have an expensive pitching staff.
Chiefs: Kailer Yamamoto signed a contract with Edmonton, but there is a good chance he’ll be back with Spokane this season.
Mariners: After Mike Trout dunked his double down the left-field line in the ninth, I gave up and went to bed. If the M’s had rallied, I figured I could read all about in Dave Nichols’ Mariners Log this morning. They didn’t, but he still had his Log. We added the links.
Seahawks: There was another Seattle injury suffered yesterday, but Doug Baldwin’s ankle didn’t look to be too serious. … Will Kam Chancellor be a Hawk for the length of his contract? … From quarterback to tight end? That’s an odd switch. … Jermaine Kearse struggled last season. He hopes that is behind him.
Sounders: Seattle made another roster move yesterday to strengthen the midfield.
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• Just a quick happy 38th anniversary to Kim, who is the best person – in every way – I know. You know what our plan is for this evening? A nice dinner out – in Pullman. And then up to Martin Stadium to watch the Cougars scrimmage. She thinks it is a great idea. Really. No, I’m not kidding. Quit shaking your head. She’s on board. Until later …