Nightcap: 8/11/07 @ White Sox

The Mariners took this game 7-6 but it was way too close for comfort. For the fifth night in a row, the Mariners reached double-digits in hits as they scored just enough early in the game to take this second game of the three game set in Chicago. We started it off early with a three-run homer in the first by none other than the Werewolf of London himself, Raul Ibanez. That's his tenth on the season and his fifth in as many games! Talk about a tear! The other four runs came via Grand Salami in the fourth inning off the equally hot bat of Yunieski Betancourt, who raises his average to .293. On the mound, Miguel Batista got his twelth win on the season after going 5.2 innings while walking four, sending six to the dugout, and scattering six hits. He mainatined his composure and pitched his way out of a couple jams and only gave up two earned runs. The game was under control until the ninth inning when the White Sox made a late charge. Eric O'Flaherty began the ninth having relieved Batista a couple innings earlier. He allowed two singles and was replaced by left-handed specialist George Sherrill, who then walked his only batter Owens. J.J. Putz then entered the game to try his hand at putting away the pesky White Sox, but gave up a grand slam to the Mariner Killer Josh Fields, who homered twice in the Chicago victory last night. After the dust settled, J.J. sat down the final three batters he faced and the Mariners escaped narrowly with a 1-run victory.

Umpires: HP--Eric Cooper. 1B--Andy Fletcher. 2B--Mike Reilly. 3B--Jeff Kellogg.

Time: 3:01 (Ah the perfect three hour game)

Attendance: 38,210 (Again, pretty packed for a team under .500)

Weather: 87 degrees, clear (B-E-A-U-TIFUL)

Wind: 9 mph, in from right