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PitchER STALK MODE, Dept.

Against Michael Fullmer, it looked like the M's were going down to one of the best-pitched games of the season.  Against Francisco Liriano, it looked like the M's were going to be no-hit (and Liriano did take a no-no into the 7th).  Again Tuesday, the A's had one of their two good pitchers, Trevor Cahill, scheduled and HE had his A+ game in full swing going.

• All three games, and several before these it seemed like, the M's followed the same recipe:
• The M's starter battled grimly to keep the deficit right where it was at
• The M's bullpen came in to lock it down for 0 runs - for 9, or 11, or 10 innings
• The offense found an opportunity somewhere

On Tuesday, it so happened that Mike Zunino hit a long, sharp LF double ... that got the benefit of a wind-blown 170 PX to clear the LF fence and tie the score.  Finally, Jean Segura scored to win the game (more in his section).

In all fairness, this isn't a recipe that wins against Houston or NYY, because those teams don't run out of bullpen pitchers.  But!  You don't play 162 games against Houston and NYY.  You've got to play .600 ball against the non-elite teams.  So be it.

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PLAYOFFS

Were you thinking the pesky rodent Angels would be three down to us right now?  'tis true.  J.A. Happ got 5 runs for himself -- off Garrett Richards LOL! -- and then stomped them the rest of the way, never really giving them a chance.

The Orcs are fighting viciously after three days of running on nothing but maggot'y bread, but finally we were able to put them down, pile their carcasses in a heap, and send a smoke signal to Gandalf.

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SUDDEN JEAN SEGURA

Strung back-to-back-to-back heroic efforts in the 10th:

(1) Received a vicious slider, below his knees and outside the zone.  Leaned over and leaned out, got the barrel on the pitch, covered it, and flined it into right field.  I think I teared up for just a moment ...

(2) When Guillermo Heredia hit one deep to the RF gap in the rain, took 3B ... whoops!, a slight bobble and HERE COMES THE PLAY AT THE PLATE ...Segura flashing his SPEED to make this 1B-to-HP play in any way feasible to start with.

(3) Courageously dove, headfirst, into the catcher's gear.  Paid the price.  Outstanding pain score on the play, but the dive made the difference between safe and out.

Segura is playing like a star, and he's part of the M's position in the standings right now.  Did you know Jean Segura means "John Sure" en espanol...

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GUILLERMO HEREDIA

Was 0-for-2 with 2 walks.  A hundred years ago, that got you cut.  In the year 2018, it puts you #2 in the lineup and .... once again! ... the Mariners are left wondering whether a .429 OBP in the 2 hole is an actual improvement?? over what they had before the injuries.

After the 0-for-2, rocked a gorgeous long single (double?) into the right-center alley to win the game.  You liking Heredia in the 2 slot?  He's now .286/.439/.460 after 63 AB's with a splenikulous 15:12 EYE ratio.  Chuck Knoblauch's career season -- his best ever, among many -- saw a .448 OBP and a .517 SLG, the point not being that Heredia is Chuck Knoblauch.  The point being that in any team's 28-19 start, it's got some no-namers who are delivering Chuck Knoblauch performance.

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DAN VOGELBACH

Was 1-for-2 with 2 walks, which 100 years ago got you sent back down the minor leagues.  Come to think of it, it still gets you sent back down to the minor leagues.  But still, we've got two words for you:  Long Lineup.

I'm enjoying watching a .439 OBP in the 2 hold and am enjoying Dan Vogelbach in the DH slot at #6.

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GORDON BECKHAM

You got me there.  Following an 80-game suspension and a broken toe?  ... the M's now have one easy out in their lineup, for at least two weeks.  BAH!! Humbug.

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MIKE ZUNINO

The M's are 17-10 in his appearances this year.  12-9 without.

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Enjoy,

Dr D