[jaa36]

AG: Welcome back to The Wheelhouse. I'm Aaron Goldsmith, and with us once again is Jerry Dipoto. Jerry, thanks for being with us after what I can only imagine was a difficult couple of days.

JD: It was, Aaron, but you know, even if we didn't win the series, I'm really pleased with how our guys played overall. Beating the Indians was a tough order, and we came pretty close. And we'll always have Game Four!

AG: Game Four was one I don't think anyone in Seattle will forget any time soon, and we'll talk some about that, as you would imagine. How's the mood with the team overall?

JD: You know, they're pretty broken up about it. I think it hit Felix the hardest, as he really wanted a chance to pitch in game seven with the series on the line. Robbie Cano and Nellie Cruz were both pretty disappointed. And Juan Nicasio, that was really tough for him to give up the ninth-inning home run to Jason Kipnis in Game Six to put the game into extra innings.

AG: Let's look at that game for a bit, and come back to Game Four a little later. We could spend all day on that one. Game Six, the series is back in Cleveland, with the Indians up three games to two. Marco Gonzales pitched an absolute gem, giving up one run and getting into the sixth inning before turning things over the bullpen. And Kyle Seager with a huge home run to give the M's the lead.

JD: This was the kind of game we had won all year long, and this time we came close. Edwin Diaz and James Pazos locked things down as usual, but they were both pretty gassed from the last couple games so we couldn't get quite as many innings as we usually would out of them.

AG: And Juan Nicasio, who was well rested, just left a pitch a bit too much over the plate for Jason Kipnis, who hit a rocket out to right field to tie the score- Kipnis's second home run off Juan in the series.

JD: I think if we had gotten to a Game Seven we would have learned our lesson: do not let Juan Nicasio pitch to Jason Kipnis. But it was disappointing, we really thought this was a day we'd get their bullpen, too. Andrew Miller was running on fumes, and with Dellin Betances and Chad Allen out of the game already, we figured we had a good shot, but it didn't work out that way.

AG: The Indians eventually loaded the bases off Nick Rumbelow in the 11th inning, and Roberto Perez, who had loomed so large in Game Four, ended up driving in the series-winning run.

JD: That moment was really hard. I don't think I'll ever forget that feeling. But I think this just gave us a taste of things that we hadn't gotten before, and I think we'll be right back in it last year.

AG: The game before that one, Corey Kluber threw an absolute gem- a complete game, allowing one run, striking out seven, and doing it all in just 87 pitches.

JD: Yeah, beating Kluber twice in a series would have been a tall order, even with James Paxton on the mound. He'll probably win the Cy Young this year, and with good reason.

AG: And Game Three was, like most of the series, the Francisco Lindor show, as he homered and drove in three against Felix Hernandez.

JD: It was a tough start for Felix. Their lineup is just so deep, and Lindor was certainly a deserving series MVP, .348 with 9 RBI.

AG: So let's come back to Game Four. One of the most exciting games I've ever seen. And one that will go down in the annals as perhaps on par with the 11th-inning Edgar Martinez in 1995 to beat the Yankees.

JD: That was a great game. I hate the Yankees.

AG: But in this one, the M's jump out to a 4-0 lead after Kyle Seager doubles home two in the third inning. Mike Leake is looking pretty solid, but the wheels fall off quickly in the fifth with three straight singles and then a home run by the aforementioned Roberto Perez to tie the score.

JD: It was tough for Mike. He was really looking good, but as you know, we're very content to leave the game in the hands of our bullpen.

AG: Then in the sixth, a move we've seen Scott Servais make a lot in this postseason- a single by Mike Ford, Taylor Motter comes in to pinch run and steals second base, with Ryon Healy coming on as a defensive replacement later on.

JD: Yeah, that's worked well. Taylor gives up some speed off the bench, and he was able to get us the go-ahead run when Kevin Pillar singled him home.

AG: The bullpen holds the one-run lead into the ninth, and James Pazos walks Yandy Diaz, strikes out Lonnie Chisenhall, and up comes bleeping Roberto Perez.

JD: Bleeping Roberto Perez.

AG: Who homers for the second time in the game to give the Indians a one-run lead and silencing the Safeco crowd. Perez not really known as a threat with the bat, but he had himself quite a series. Then in the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Miller on the mound, Nelson Cruz singles with one out, and 44-year-old Ichiro Suzuki comes on to pinch run and promptly steals second base!

JD: Yeah, that's why Scott brought him in.

AG: With the crowd going crazy, Kyle Seager singles and Ichiro- holds at third base! Did third base coach Scott Brosius think about sending him there?

JD: Thought about it. The odds weren't too good and with just one out he decided not to send him, which I think was the best choice.

AG: So Mitch Haniger strikes out. Ryon Healy at the plate with two outs, takes a strike, and then Andrew Miller spikes a slider into the dirt and Ichiro scampers home to tie the score!

JD: What a moment for Ichiro, and for everyone. We couldn't have drawn it up any better for him, and as you know, his night wasn't quite over yet.

AG: The top of the tenth saw Jason Kipnis's other home run off Juan Nicasio. Then in the bottom of the inning, two outs, Dee Gordon at the plate, who, in rapid succession, bunts for a hit, steals second base, and scores on a Jean Segura single.

JD: Yeah, how many times did that happen this year, like a hundred?

AG: Well, the bunting for a hit was a little different, but the rest of it was pretty identical. Then the next inning, Ichiro bunts for a hit too!

JD: We'll do anything we can to get on base against Andrew Miller.

AG: Game rolls on to the twelfth inning. Finally Kevin Pillar singles with one out, steals second, advanced to third on a ground out, and comes home on yet another Jean Segura single. Ball game, series tied, for the moment.

JD: It was so exciting. A tough game on our bullpen but what a way to win a ballgame.

AG: So the Indians head to the World Series to play the Dodgers. Neither team has won the series in quite some time, but of course the Mariners' streak is forever.

JD: That is true, Aaron, thank you for reminding me.

AG: I know you're exhausted, Jerry. What's the plan heading into the offseason?

JD: I'm going to sleep for a few days, and then I'll probably make a bunch of trades. Hey, Aaron, do you mind if we cut back the frequency of these podcasts by quite a bit? They take a long time to record.

AG: Oh- uh, OK, Jerry. I'm sorry, was it something I said?

JD: It's not you, Aaron, it's me. I just need a little space. I mean, you're great and all. I just feel like I need to work on myself for a little bit.

AG: Oh- Jerry, I wish you had said something.

JD: Well, now it's out there.

AG: You aren't- you aren't podcasting with someone else, are you?

JD: What? No, Aaron, I'd never do that to you.

AG: OK, Jerry. I really want this podcasting relationship to work out.

JD: Aaron, I've gotta go. Don't call me for a bit, OK?

AG: Jerry- maybe you need to get some rest for a bit? When can we podcast next?

JD: I don't know, Aaron. Maybe next week, maybe a month from now? Stop being so clingy, all right?

AG: Jerry, I- I'm kind of hurt. This all seems like it's happening so fast.

JD: Well, my team did just lose the ALCS in heartbreaking fashion. It's not always about you, Aaron.

AG: No, I- I didn't mean- losing the ALCS hurt me too, Jerry.

JD: Oh come on, Aaron, you wouldn't understand what that's like! Have you ever played professional baseball?

AG: Well, no, but-

JD: Easy for you to sit back from your broadcast booth and criticize the team whenever they lose a game! Why don't you try to do my job for a minute!

AG: Jerry, this is getting a little out of control. Do you need a Xanax or something?

JD: NO, I don't need a XANAX! I need you to chill out and get off my case already! (rips off headset and storms out)

AG: JERRY!!! JERRY!!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!!!! (sobs uncontrollably) This has been The Wheelhouse, with Jerry Dipoto, who... may or may not be coming back. I'm Aaron Goldsmith, with my heart smashed to a million little bits, and we'll see you on the next edition of The Wheelhouse, should it ever return.