Pacifist's Row Kills Late Mariners Rally

After shitting the bed in the 9th inning last night (bases loaded, nobody out, down two runs, and the "heart of the order" went down 1-2-3) and wasting another great start by Jamie Moyer, the Mariners fell to 3.5 games out of first place.

Joe Blanton, who is the batting practice pitcher for the rest of the American League, completely baffled the M's again, allowing only one hit through eight innings.

This can't have surprised Mike Hargrove, since he'd assembled a lineup of hitters that Blanton had already stifled in two previous starts this season.

Someone needs to remind Hargrove that the saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Here's a mathematical factoid for all the kids: if you are in third place, you have to beat the teams in front of you to pass them. The M's are 1-7 against Oakland this year, and 2-4 against Texas. That ain't gonna git-r-done.

Tonight: Piniero (5-6, 5.13 (0-2, 6.92 vs. Oak)) vs. Haren (5-5, 3.61 (no record vs. M's)) 7:05, FSN.