Nightcap: 8/25/07 @ Rangers

And the Mariners should be in the WIN column. But, because of Beltre's decision making with his arm, a lucky squeeze bunt and McLarens finite wisdom, we lost the game. We put up the first three runs of the game. A couple singles and a Sexson sac-fly and we're up 1-0 in the 2nd. Top of 3rd: Jones gets hit by a run away curve on a 0-2 to pitch. Vidro then rips a double down the right field which hugs the wall, allowing Jones to score from first. Top of 5. A couple singles and an error by the right fielder and runners are on 1st and 3rd. Beltre then rips one over the head of Kinsler and we have a comfy 3-0 lead. But, we lose it, and I can actually say HoRam wasn't at fault. Bottom of 5. A one out single for the Rangers. Another out, 2 down. Beltre gets a hard hit ball. He gets up, stares at the seams and side arms a missile to Sexson. OOPS. Overthrow and everybody is safe. Next batter, Kinsler, made us pay. He sent a fastball right down the middle into the left field seats to tie the game. Every inning after that, the Mariners had their chances. We had runners on almost EVERY inning, and still failed to produce a run (we didn't get a runner on in the 8th). In the bottom fo the 7th, that's where it got ugly. An out and a single later and Kinsler is up at the plate, again. He hits a slow runner to Beltre. Beltre runs the ball past Richie and the runner scores from first base, and Kinsler goes all the way to third. The next batter, Gerald Laird put down what is probably the most awkward squeeze I've ever seen. With a fastball coming at his face, he threw his bat up, fell down, and dropped down the perfect squeeze. 5-3 Rangers. From then on, they had the game, except the 9th. That's where hindsight can be a pain. With Ibanez at the plate and runners on 1st and 2nd, McLaren failed to pinch hit Ibanez, a lefty, who would be facing a left handed, hard throwing closer/relief pitcher (C.J. Wilson). Ibanez grounds to 2nd, boom fielders choice. 1 out, runners on the corners. Betancourt pinch runs for Ibanez instead of Ichiro. Betancourt isn't green lighted to steal first pitch, and 1st pitch, sure enough, DOUBLE PLAY GAME OVER. You can't help but wonder WHAT IN THE HECK WAS McLaren THINKING!?

Tomorrow's Starters: Washburn (9-10, 4.11) vs. Padilla (3-9, 6.55)
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Umpires: HP--Jim Joyce. 1B--Jim Wolf. 2B--Mike Dimuro. 3B--Tim Tschida

Time: 2:47

Attendance: 47,977 (98.1% full) (Was there a give away or something?)

Weather: 90 degrees, clear

Wind: 8 mph