Grip on Sports: As long as the M’s starters seek revenge, the road trip should be just fine
A GRIP ON SPORTS • For the second time on this crucial road trip, the Mariners put a pitcher on the bump who was throwing against his most-recent “former team.” And for the second time on this crucial road trip, said pitcher kept them in the game, one they would eventually win. Read on.
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• In Tampa Bay it was Erasmo Ramirez. Last night in Atlanta, it was Andrew Albers. The left-hander wasn’t spectacular, or even all that good. But his five innings of six-hit, four-run pitching was enough.
Despite the Mariners making four errors.
The 6-5 win moved Seattle (64-62) closer in the wild-card race, as Minnesota (64-60) split a doubleheader and the Angels (64-61) lost. Despite playing .500 ball the last 10 games, the Mariners are a game behind the Twins and a half-game in back of Los Angeles for the last postseason spot.
What’s funny, in a game in which the M’s made four physical errors and manager Scott Servais pointed out two other mental ones, it was their defense that might have saved the day.
Edwin Diaz began the bottom of the ninth trying to protect a one-run lead. And he promptly gave up a leadoff single. No big deal.
Diaz did a good job of keeping the speedy Ender Inciarte close to first and, when Inciarte decided to try to steal second, Mike Zunino made a typically quick and accurate throw.
Zunino may have troubles with certain aspects of catching – James Paxton is first in the American League in wild pitches and Felix Hernandez is tied for eighth, which is a reflection on Zunino’s ability to block balls – but throwing usually isn’t one of them.
Throwing out the tying run trying to get into scoring position is a big deal. And helped the M’s overcome their own defensive ineptitude.
• There was an almost full eclipse yesterday throughout Washington State. It’s a rare happenstance. The last one of this magnitude in the state occurred in 1979. Want to know what else rare happened Monday? The WSU Cougars were ranked in the Associated Press’ preseason football poll.
It’s the first time that’s occurred since 2002. And it’s only the third time it has ever happened.
The Cougars, ranked 24th, were one of four Pac-12 teams in the poll. USC was fourth, Washington eighth and Stanford 14th.
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WSU: Theo Lawson is covering a top-25 team. He has the poll story as well as an awards story. Well, he gives out awards. For WSU’s all-preseason camp team. … The Cougars’ ranking is something of a big deal. … It would be nice for WSU to get off to a better start this season. … Around the Pac-12 yesterday, Washington downplayed its top-10 ranking, though some voters didn’t believe the Huskies belonged that high. The team watched the eclipse together. … Oregon wasn’t ranked in the AP poll this year, which hasn’t happened in a decade. … California will glad when an injured running back returns. … Stanford could have a bounce-back season. … Colorado is trying to figure out its return specialists. … Utah surprised a lot of folks when the Utes decided to start sophomore Tyler Huntley at quarterback instead of senior captain Troy Williams. … Fourth-ranked USC ended camp having learned a few things. … So did UCLA. … Arizona State’s players have to deal with football’s consequences. … Arizona is giving a defensive lineman a second chance.
EWU: Nothing, not even a rare eclipse, can be allowed to get in the way of college football practice. At least not at Eastern yesterday. Jim Allen has the story on the Eagles’ practice in front of a lot of spectators. … Cooper Kupp is doing what he does. That’s being well received in Los Angeles. … Elsewhere in the Big Sky, Montana State will have at least one true freshman contributing to the offense. … A transfer hopes to help Montana’s passing game.
Indians: You don’t see many 1-0 games in the low minors, but that’s what happened in Pasco last night. Spokane earned the win over Tri-City. … Elsewhere in the Northwest League, Everett helped tighten the North race with a win at Vancouver. … Salem-Keizer started its game in the morning, took an hour break to watch the eclipse and then watched Hillsboro win. … Eugene ended its skid with a win over Boise.
Preps: A Lake City baseball player gets a chance to show his talents to a new audience. Greg Lee has the story. … Former Lewis and Clark High star Briann January will miss the rest of the WNBA season after suffering a knee injury. … Colfax basketball player Carmen Gfeller has committed to Montana.
Mariners: Not only did the M’s earn a 6-5 win (Albers’ second in two starts), they also received some good news on the starting pitching front. … Playing in a National League ballpark, there is no designated hitter. So Nelson Cruz was forced to sit yesterday.
Seahawks: George Fant must have been really important to the Hawks. Since his injury, John Schneider has signed free agent offensive lineman and, yesterday, traded a draft pick to the Eagles to acquire another one. For now, though, a current lineman will be given the first shot. … If the Seahawks are going to return to the Super Bowl, Russell Wilson will have to lead them there. … Seattle did practice yesterday as the roster begins to come into focus. Pete Carroll took some time to let his players watch the eclipse.
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• It may seem a bit early, but college football actually starts Saturday. I hope you are ready. As a way to get psyched, I offer this funny column. No, it’s actually funny. I didn’t write it. Until later …