Seattle Baseball Fans May Have Seen a Record as the Mariners Get 5 Consecutive Two-Out Hits
You will have to forgive Seattle baseball fans for getting a little excited about their team after the Mariners managed to come-from-behind and earn a 7-4 victory against the Baltimore Orioles Monday (6-4-07).
The score and the victory look pretty pedestrian until you learn that the Mariners were behind 4-3 with two out in the 8th inning. It was looking a lot like Mudville with Casey coming to bat. Only once in the preceding 53 games had Seattle come from behind after being down going into the 8th inning.
Then, it was as if the skies parted in a night game and some mighty power from above said, "Swing the bat and I will give the ball eyes to see a friendly spot to land."
In short order, five consecutive two-out hits had the Mariners beginning the 9th inning with a 7-4 lead.
The rally started with singles by shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and all-purpose utility player Willie Bloomquist who played third base for starter Adrian Beltre and then moved to center field.
Then the normal designated hitter Jose Vitro, who was taking the night off due to a bruised finger, was tapped to pinch hit and delivered a grounder off second baseman Brian Roberts' glove and into center field to tie the game at 4-4.
Seattle's superstar center fielder Ichiro, the designated hitter in place of Vitro, delivered his third hit of the night, a solid single to left making it 5-4. By now, Mariner fans were on verge of mixed emotions: joy and happiness.
The topper and break away hit came from second baseman Jose Lopez who delivered some helpful insurance with a two-run double to right field to make it 7-4.
In came Seattle's lights out closer J. J. Putz who recorded his 14th save in 14 attempts. Game over. Turn out the lights and Mariners left Safeco Field with a 29-25 mark, the first time they have been 4 games over. 500 in three years.
So what is the big deal in Seattle? Two things:
1) Maybe the big league franchise team in your hometown comes from behind with five consecutive two-out hits in the eight inning to win. This has NOT been happening in Seattle in at least 4 years, and maybe never. I am not sure if statistics are kept on this occurrence.
I have watched more than 1,000 baseball games and have never, ever, seen a team come from behind by getting five consecutive two-out hits in the 8th inning to win. Usually there is a walk, a balk, a hit batter or an error combined with fewer hits that allows a team to accomplish a come-from-behind victory so late in the game.
2) Despite the rainy history of Seattle, it has been a long time between rains when it comes to a winning Mariner team.
After a miracle 1995 season that saw the Mariners win its first American League Division Series against the New York Yankees in another miracle comeback 3-2 (lost the first two games and won the last three), Seattle supported the building of Safeco Field, a state-of-the-art baseball venue.
Local fans remember the Mariners going on to win the 1997 AL West title, the 2000 AL West title and the 2001 AL West title with a record-setting 116-46 finish.
Then Seattle had identical 93-69 seasons in 2002 and 2003, and followed that by sucking pond water with three consecutive losing seasons, unable to even break. 500.
So Monday's "miracle" finish brought back memories and hope that the Mariners are once again on the rise back to the top of the heap.
Seattle is getting some wind in its sails on the Puget Sound, and the blue skies of summer remind us of why baseball is, and always will be, summer's pastime game.
Copyright 2007 Ed Bagley
Griffey enjoying the game again - Globe and Mail
The Associated Press Griffey enjoying the game again Globe and Mail, Canada - "He looks good in black," Seattle Mariners general manager Lee Pelekoudas said. "But he'd look good in blue or red, too." The 38-year-old is now a part-time ... Richard, White Sox blank Mariners Richard earns 1st MLB win as ChiSox blank Mariners MLB: Chicago White Sox 5, Seattle 0 -New murder charge brings guilty plea - Seattle Times
A Seattle guitarist was killed Monday in Spokane when a tree fell ... - Seattle Times
Seattle Post Intelligencer A Seattle guitarist was killed Monday in Spokane when a tree fell ... Seattle Times, United States - Joseph Shikany, 58, played guitar and bass in several Seattle -area bands, including Magic Bus, Sex And Violins, PowerCell, N'SANE, Spike And The Impalers! ... Joe Shikany RIPIt's no mystery: Mystics are bad Bennett settles with Seattle - San Francisco Chronicle
The Associated Press It's no mystery: Mystics are bad Bennett settles with Seattle San Francisco Chronicle, USA - Clay Bennett's ownership group has reached a final settlement with the city of Seattle , allowing the former SuperSonics franchise to move to Oklahoma City. ... Settlement reached over Sonics' Oklahoma City move City, Bennett sign final accord on Sonics Suit over Supersonics ownership set for June trial -