I think I'm going to wear a jockstrap to the game tomorrow, because I'm sick of these losses always feeling like a kick in the balls.
A night that began with some lady accidentally handing me two promotional giveaway Padres beach towels ended with one flying over the railing and the other torn in half, as the Mariners blew chance after chance before finally succumbing in a nauseating tenth frame. Let me tell you, as bad as it looked on TV, it was eighty times worse in person, as the only thing worse than being in the stands when the opponent scores the winning run is having to take the walk of shame around the concourse and down the ramp in the road team's uniform while you try to get back to your car as quickly as possible. It's always an uncomfortable experience, even if nothing happens and nobody says anything, although some of the discomfort can be alleviated by coming up with a clever retort just in case any intoxicated belligerents step up to you and try to pick a fight. That said, it's probably in everyone's best interests that nobody did that tonight, because while I had my witty comeback all set and ready to use (since this is a family site, I can't post it here), I wasn't so much interested in talking as I was in whooping some ass. That game was awful, and it's going to take a hell of a showing tomorrow night to get the bitter taste out of my mouth.
Biggest Contribution: Rafael Soriano, +16.2%
Biggest Suckfest: Julio Mateo, -38.1%
Most Important Hit: Ibanez double, +14.2%
Most Important Pitch: Giles single, -17.2%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): +9.7%
Total Contribution by Hitters: -67.8%
Time permitting, I'll post some of my thoughts on the game after I wake up. For now, though, it's 1:30 in the morning and I haven't had a good night's sleep in forever, so I'm getting out of here. If nothing else, I'll say this - Julio Mateo had no business showing up in the game when he did today, and if Mike Hargrove were a competent (NL-style) manager, the Mariners very easily could've come out on top instead. That hurts, and it's only compounded by the fact that the A's have rallied back from two consecutive ninth inning deficits to win over Colorado and San Francisco. The division doesn't look nearly as promising now as it did on Wednesday.
Let's hear your thoughts on the game. Or, if that's too depressing, let's hear your thoughts on tomorrow's game, featuring Jamie Moyer and The Ho at 7:05pm PDT.