In theory, losses like this should get harder and harder to stomach over the course of the summer as the Mariners begin to run out of time to turn things around. If the season were a baseball game, we'd be in the fifth inning, and, in true Win Expectancy fashion, things that happen now are more significant than things that happened earlier in the season. These games are more important than last month's; ergo, losing them should be more painful.
In practice, I think we're spared a lot of the heartbreak because by now we've gotten to the point where we can see these losses coming ahead of time. We're able to begin the recovery process before the loss is even official because we recognize the considerable unlikelihood of the Mariners ever storming ahead and winning certain ballgames, even when they're tied.
It doesn't have to be that way.
A pox on Mike Hargrove.
Biggest Contribution: Yuniesky Betancourt, +22.7%
Biggest Suckfest: Willie Ballgame, -29.8%
Most Important Hit: Betancourt homer, +33.3%
Most Important Pitch: Catalanotto single, -33.2%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): -4.1%
Total Contribution by Position Players: -46.3%
I'll put up some of my thoughts in a little bit as a new post.