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Old 07-15-2019, 01:39 AM   #20
jaa36
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Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 3,029
October 1, 2020

A slump at the wrong time leaves the Mariners on the outside of the playoff race looking in with just four games to play. It all started falling apart on September 25, when we managed to erase a six-run deficit and take a three-run lead heading into the ninth inning (fueled by a Willie Calhoun grand slam), only to see the Angels' Justin Bour tie the score with a three-run blast of his own, and the M's eventually went down 11-10 in 14 innings, which had the added effect of devastating the pitching staff for the remainder of the series. We dropped the next three games before lighting up Texas 12-4 and 15-1 to finish September with an even 13-13 record.

But that's not good enough. We're now fifth in the Wild Card race and need to make up at least two game on either Oakland or Baltimore- yes, Baltimore! They appear to be reimagining much more effectively than I am, with a profoundly mediocre team that has somehow cobbled together 84 wins.

Anthony Rendon returned but continued our habit of ineffective third base play, sputtering to a .195 average. I was able to put Kyle Seager out to pasture in Tacoma- he was playing so poorly that he accepted a demotion. Calhoun found yet another gear in his amazing season, hitting eight home runs (including two grand slams) and driving in 20. Relievers Ian Hamilton and Tim Mayza both had scoreless months, with Craig Kimbrel and Alfredo Bautista not far behind.

We finish the season with four game against the Angels, who have clinched the division. Meanwhile, the Athletics play the Yankees, and the Orioles play the Red Sox. We'll need to win at least three of four if not sweep the series to have a shot at the postseason, but stranger things have happened.
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