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If you missed the first inning, it was like a 1966 Paul Hornung power sweep behind Jerry Kramer and Fuzzy Thurston.  In other words, the X's and O's on the chalkboard came to life on the green grass.  In real sports that almost never happens; it's worth celebrating when it does.

Jake Odorizzi is a very fine pitcher, ranked #31 in both leagues combined by BJOL and therefore about #15 or so in the American League.  He came into the game on a roll.  He threw the ball very well in the first inning.  For all that, the Seattle Mariners defended the strike zone like famine wolves on the Alaskan tundra and seven batters in, Odorizzi had 40+ pitches on the odomoter and a look of profound disgust on his face.

Pitch #44, or something, he crossed Taylor Motter up with a 77 MPH curve ball outside.  Motter waited, waited, waited .. and then SWWWATTTTTED the ball into the left field coin pouch bullpen for a grand slam.  Boom, all at once Motter looked 'unstoppable' again.  Blowers pointed out that this occurred AFTER Motter was guaranteed the next ten starts ...

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The Mariners now have 7 different offensive weapons between 100 and 142.  Not counting Mitch Haniger at 182, who should return next week.  Not counting Motter who is at 88 currently, but probably will be over 100 in ten days.

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Danny Valencia is now .322/.383/.522 since April 25, a long month, with an 0.50 EYE and 21 RBI in 28 games.  So he's been a hunnerd-RBI man against both side pitching.  And the M's have been scoring a lotta runs when you figure in their tragic DL.

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It turned out that Jarrod Dyson was not a 5-WAR player.  But he's a serviceable center fielder, much much more Dr. D's kind of player than Leonydas.

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You know those old comedy routines ... Coca-Cola is OVERrated.  Ice Water is UNDERrated.  ... [ad infinitum]  Robinson Cano is like ice water.  It was his 10-pitch walk yesterday that bruised Odorizzi's liver in the first.  He's batting .333/.394/.594 (!) the last month, he is borderline Hall of Fame if he quits right now, and he's 34 going full steam.

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BABVA,

Dr D