Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Grip on Sports: A couple wins allows for some hopeful wondering

Seattle Mariners’ Nelson Cruz hits a two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 15, 2017, in Chicago. (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)

A GRIP ON SPORTS • A friend asked me last night the question that is on everyone’s mind: Is there still a chance this year for the Mariners? A 2-0 start to the second half has made him, if not a believer, at least a wonderer. Read on.

••••••••••

• That’s the funny part of momentum – and the second wild card. It opens possibilities.

The Mariners looked dead just before the All-Star break. Now, with two road wins in Chicago, they have a pulse.

It was a combination of Nelson Cruz power and Edwin Diaz smoke that supplied the CPR.

Cruz is back to doing Cruz things, hitting home runs and carrying the offense almost single-handedly.

Diaz did something last night he hasn’t always done. He regained his composure when he seemingly had lost it. And those were the keys behind the 4-3 win against the White Sox.

The Mariners’ bullpen was perfect – if by perfect you mean didn’t give up the one-run lead – over the final four innings, including a scoreless ninth from Diaz. Though there were a few moments.

The young right-hander got the first two outs easily. Then he threw four strikes to Melky Cabrera, the Sox offensive star Saturday. But plate umpire Vic Carapazza only called one of the pitches as strikes and Cabrera ended up getting a single. That seemed to bother Diaz. He walked the next hitter.

There have been times this season that would have been the end. The Sox would have scored twice and the game would have been lost.

But after a visit from pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, Diaz got the final out. With a strikeout.

And some hope was born. The M’s have won a series in Chicago for the first time since 2007. The power in Cruz’s bat has returned. The bullpen has come together. And the rest of the second half beckons.

•••

WSU: Around the Pac-12 this weekend, when Oregon dismissed troubled wide receiver Darren Carrington from the football team Friday, it earned a seal of approval. … Utah is looking for the right guys.

Gonzaga: The GU-alumni dominated Few Good Men lived up to its name yesterday in winning its first The Basketball Tournament game. … Kyle Wiltjer is looking for work.

Indians: Spokane scored early and often to win a series opener at Avista with Vancouver. Johnathan Curley has the story. … Around the Northwest League, Eugene got past Everett.

Golf: It’s a busy weekend on the links, with Derek Berg leading the way at the Rosauers Open Invitational after two rounds. Jim Meehan has the story. … Jim also had his weekly column in Saturday’s paper. … WSU’s Derek Bayley fell in the finals of the PNGA Amateur.

Preps: A couple of former Spokane area softball stars are being honored in the region.

UFC: Michael Chiesa wasn’t happen with how his most recent bout ended, but he’s ready to move on to the next one. Ryan Collingwood has the story.

Mariners: The 4-3 win was a bullpen success story. The pen has been solid in the past month and change. … It looks as if Sam Gaviglio will be back up to hold down the fifth rotation spot for a while. … The trade deadline is always about pitching. This year is no different. … The Mariners’ history is one of underachievement.

Sounders: The U.S. Men’s National Team won its group in the Gold Cup.

•••       

• There are very few cities in the country that can match Seattle for beauty this time of year. That is all. Until later …