Mariners Start Second Half On a Familiar Note

They lost ANOTHER one run game, this time 3-2, as they were shutout through 8 innings.  They sure made the 9th an exciting one, but it was too little too late.

Rangers (52-34)

Kinsler 2B

Andrus SS

Hamilton LF

Beltre 3B

Cruz RF

Young 1B

Murphy DH

Napoli C

Martin CF

Holland (5-4,5.63)

Mariners (36-51)

Ackley 2B

Ichiro RF

Wells LF

Montero DH

Seager 3B

Smoak 1B

Olivo C

Saunders CF

Ryan SS

Millwood (3-6,3.69)

I thought Millwood did a pretty good job of keeping the Rangers at bay.  They are full of Mariners killers, practically the entire lineup, so holding them to three runs in 6.2 innings is something I will take from our starting pitcher every outing.  Unfortunately our offense did not suddenly transform over the all-star break.  It wasn't like we didn't have opportunities, we loaded the bases with one out in the 4th but couldn't capitalize.  We had only four hits until we banged three in the bottom of the 9th as we scored two runs.  That's unacceptable.  We have to start scoring early.  And Ackley in particular, along with Smoak, needs to start producing.  He ended the game striking out, with runners at first and third and down by only a run.

This series is going to be very interesting.  If things don't start changing, I predict heads will roll.

The Mariners are now 11-14 when I attend, 5-7 in one run games
Attendance: 23,721
Time of Game:  2:58