Long balls drop Mariners
The Headline: an eight inning collapse by the bullpen gives the A’s life, as they complete their sweep of the Mariners.
Seattle Mariners 2, Oakland Athletics 5
When: 4:05 ET, Sunday, September 30, 2012
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland
Temperature: 73 degrees
Umpires: Home — Jeff Kellogg, 1B — Mike Winters, 2B — Eric Cooper, 3B — Marty Foster
Attendance: 21,057
Love ‘em
1. Ramirez’s Strong Start
Seattle needed a strong start today, and Erasmo Ramirez delivered. Too bad it wasn’t enough for a win.
The rookie went 6.1 strong on 100 pitches, allowing just two runs on three hits. He did have four walks, but also struck out six.
It was the fourth start in a row in which Ramirez had gone at least six innings and given up no more than three runs. He ends September 1-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 4.6 K/BB.
2. Smoak’s Surge
Justin Smoak had a strong day at the plate today, going 2-4 with an RBI single in the third—his 50th of the season.
It was a perfect cap to a blazing September. Smoak finishes the month hitting .329/.410/.589 with five home runs, 9 RBI and 10 walks in 22 games.
Once again Smoak is showing the promise that made him a key piece in the Cliff Lee trade. If this can boil into 2013, it would be great for the Mariners.
3. Gutierrez Bounceback
After missing the series opener following a collision with a wall Thursday, and then going 0-5 yesterday, Franklin Gutierrez fell back into place Sunday.
The M’s centerfielder went 2-2 in the leadoff spot, scoring a run. Both hits were doubles.
Unfortunately, he left after the third inning with tightness in his groin. Injuries have become a frustratingly common part of Guti’s game.
Hate ‘em
1. Blowing things late, again
Losing Saturday’s contest on a walkoff, the Mariner’s once again lose late.
This time it came in the eight inning. With things tied 2-2, Seattle’s bullpen falls apart, allowing three runs and putting the game out of reach.
Seager sums up Seattle’s season, and Sunday’s sweep at the hand of the A’s
The damage came off Shawn Kelley and Lucas Luetge, with both players serving up home runs without recording a single out.
2. Wedge’s Bizarre Lineup
Michael Saunders batting sixth. Miguel Olivo at DH and Jesus Montero at catcher, with no sign of John Jaso starting. Dustin Ackley getting a rest so the manager can watch Carlos Triunfel.
Yep, just another Eric Wedge lineup.
3. Wasted Opportunities
It was another tough day for the bats.
Seattle managed 11 hits on the day, but only scored two runs. They struck out eight times total—walking just once—with 17 total left on base.
It just wasn’t a good situational day, and the Mariners continued to fail to score runs.
Notes:
Kyle Seager and Justin Smoak had RBI singles in the third inning for the Mariners, who have dropped 10 of 13. Reddick recorded his 15th assist after he threw out Smoak at the plate in the second inning.
The amount is the most by an Athletics outfielder since Mike Davis had 16 in 1983.
Seattle failed to hit a home run for the first time in 19 games. The mark fell one shy of the club record, which was set in 1999.
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About Jonathan Irwin
