Mariners Beat Angels In Universe In Which They Are Not These Mariners

by Jeff Sullivan on Jul 10, 2011 12:10 AM PDT in Seattle Mariners Game Recaps

The lower halves of two grown men arguing

I didn't intend to miss this entire game. The plan was to miss roughly the first half while out on a hike, and then to return home for the later, more important innings. But you know how the wilderness gets. I got back to my car and my phone at 9:25, checked the score, and, well, yeah.

This is not the loss that officially knocks the Mariners out of it. That loss does not exist, at least yet. The Mariners, after all, are only one more game back than they were yesterday, and that's not really all that much. Reversing a game in the standings takes as little as a day. But then, they're only one more game back than they were yesterday, when they were only one more game back than they were the day before, when they were only one more game back than they were the day before that, when they were only one more game back than they were the day before that. They've dropped four games in four days, and now all of a sudden they're the furthest out of first place they've been since April 24th, when they were 8-15. Remember when the Mariners were 8-15? We weren't feeling very positive.

It's only human nature to make more of this loss than one ought to. Losing streaks are linear, while the human response to losing streaks is exponential. This loss feels worse than the previous loss, which felt worse than the previous loss. But while we all know on some level that it's too early to throw in the towel, especially with a game against the Angels tomorrow and four against the Rangers next week, it's clear that the Mariners' odds may now be the lowest they've been all season. They have less than half a season to make up a whole bunch of games on two teams that are better than them. It's not impossible, but it's not looking too good.

And it's funny what that does to the mindset. Oh, they don't want to use much Jack Cust? Well all right. They want to give a lot of time to Greg Halman and Carlos Peguero? Fine, sure. I thought it was silly that we saw so much of Peguero while the M's were hanging close, but now that they're drifting away - in part because they played Peguero so often - the priorities begin to shift. Hey, why not see if Peguero can learn? As long as he's here and nobody else emerges, what the hell, right?

I'm still going to scoreboard-watch for at least a little while longer, and most of you will, too. The 2011 M's aren't dead yet. But they're getting close, and it's probably time we all prepare to reacquaint ourselves with the familiar feeling of watching for other reasons. Hey, at least this year we've got a bunch of interesting players to watch. Fuck off, 2008.

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Comments

I think the walkoff loss pushed me over the edge for this year.

I found myself watching the game tonight with casual indifference for the first time since last season. I feels kind of good to not stress out over a loss.

by ScottBrowne on Jul 10, 2011 12:18 AM PDT reply actions

I would have except for the fact Pineda was pitching.

And that he started with 5 straight strikeouts made what followed that much worse.

by Hopefulmsfan on Jul 10, 2011 2:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm more comfortable watching for different reasons, anyway.

This whole scoreboard watching thing is so odd. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

by FaceRuiner on Jul 10, 2011 12:18 AM PDT reply actions

Ackley!

There’s always Ackley.

by sofa_king on Jul 10, 2011 12:21 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

I remember scoreboard watching for the first time in 1987 when we were only a few games out at this time of the year. Then we went into Minnesota and got swept

I’ve been uncomfortable ever since.

by sofa_king on Jul 10, 2011 12:30 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

Due to work I've only had the radio/gameday to go on...

Is Seager just out of his league? I remember hearing him working some counts, is a little bit of bad luck involved in his career 0-fer right now? Does he look bad enough to warrant a Seager-lent?

by SgtSasquatch on Jul 10, 2011 12:32 AM PDT reply actions

No

It’s only been 10 AB’s

by KoolAidMan1 on Jul 10, 2011 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Didn't mean to sound like I was hitting the panic button.

Was just curious as to how his at bats have actually looked. I’ve only had Rick Rizzs at my disposal and well, it’s Rick.

by SgtSasquatch on Jul 10, 2011 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah I know what you mean

It’s hard to get all the information you want when just listening to the radio. But in his few games so far I don’t think he looks overwhelmed, just trying to adjust to much better pitching. I have a hard time believing that he won’t come around and start getting some hits.

by KoolAidMan1 on Jul 10, 2011 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

I've actually gotten a kick out of watching this team play for the future and try and contend at the same time.

Or maybe it’s just playing for the future just happened to include some period of contention. I mean, back in April, we were running some combination of Bradley, Langerhans, Rodriguez, Figgins, and Wilson on a regular basis. Now we’re playing Ackley, Seager, Peguero, and Halman. I find that pretty fascinating.

Yea, so we’re having trouble beating a team that’s rolled over every team since the last time we faced them (now 8 straight series wins for the Angels). We’ve infused this team with quite a few players still getting used to the Majors. It’s tough when the team loses but there’s still some enjoyment to be had.

by ThundaPC on Jul 10, 2011 1:07 AM PDT reply actions

I feel like people have already forgotten how abysmal 2010 was.

2011 has been a godsend, screw the record.

by cedarA on Jul 10, 2011 2:05 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Except in terms of offense, where the 2010 team was --gulp-- better

by Matthew on Jul 10, 2011 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions

That seems like a very difficult and exceptional achievement

That’s so bad, just so, so, so very bad

by Kermit. on Jul 10, 2011 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't have guessed that even possible

by Gihyou on Jul 10, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Griffin said it in the game thread, and I agreed with him emphatically

2012 is going to be awesome.

by cwel87 on Jul 10, 2011 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions

I took the night off from the Mariners, deciding instead to head over to Cheney and take in a Rainiers game. I mean, can't be any worse right?

OOPS!

How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?

by JAH on Jul 10, 2011 1:44 AM PDT reply actions

The games had very similar arcs

Plus I was shocked to hear how much Mike Curto sounds like Ken Levine, or vice versa.

by Breadbaker on Jul 10, 2011 3:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Scoreboard Watching? Scoreboard Watching!?!

It began in June, for crying out loud … even late May for the wistful likes of Dave Sims. Come on, people. This is the Mariners we’re talking about. It makes no sense to scoreboard watch until September. If the Ms are in it in September, then I’ll start worrying about where other teams in the West are and what they’re doing. Until then, I’ll never get my pennant hopes up. I did get my over-.500 hopes up, but now I’m back to where I was in April — hoping they’re better than last year and giving the kids on-the-job training. That’s happening, so now I’m back to lowered expectations. I do not expect them to win every night or to score many runs, but even this most recent stretch has me down. At least I don’t have to watch Figgins anymore.

by AttheDomein95 on Jul 10, 2011 8:30 AM PDT reply actions

It is never fair to question how other people choose to follow or invest in their own team.

by abender20 on Jul 10, 2011 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 4 recs

It's a free country; I'm entitled to my opinion.

It doesn’t have to be fair. I’ve seen lots of “foul” opinions on this site.

by AttheDomein95 on Jul 10, 2011 8:53 AM PDT reply actions

You are absolutely entitled to your opinion.

In fact, should you decide to re-read the comment you are responding to, you’ll find that was the point of my comment. You are entitled to think whatever you want as is everyone else. If you think it was too early to scoreboard watch, that’s fine. Other people are allowed to feel differently.

Also, in the future, please use the reply button as it organizes subthreads neatly for better readability.

by abender20 on Jul 10, 2011 9:04 AM PDT up reply actions 12 recs