Unfortunately for the Mariners, the Royals have the ability to score multiple runs. They got 5 runs out of M’s starter Doug Fister, including a solo shot by Wilson Betemit in the 5th inning.
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As for the Mariners, they never had an inning with more than 1 hit, which is a recipe for no runs. Hey now, that ‘aint fun (O.K., I’ll stop).
The Mariners got their lone run from a sacrifice fly by Adam Kennedy, “driving” in Chone Figgins. However, it was too little too late as the game ended in the bottom of the 8th inning due to rain.
Royals, 5-1.
Game 2: This game had the same feel as the first one, as the Royals worked Erik Bedard for 6 runs over 6 innings. 1 of those runs was unearned, due to a throwing error by Bedard. That doesn’t really make sense considering he’s the one who made the error, but don’t worry, his earned run average is still terrible at 8.56.
Even though the Mariners were down 6-1 going into the 8th inning, they didn’t give up hope of a comeback. Luis Rodriguez hit a double down the left field line, and then after a ground out by Brendan Ryan to move him to third, Ichiro drove him home to make it 6-2 going into the 9th.
Could this be a repeat of last Monday when the Mariners came back against the Toronto Blue Jays?
It could have, but it was not to be. After a surprising sequence of events, the score became 6-5 Kansas City. With the tying run on third and the winning run on first, Chone Figgins lined out to Kansas City third baseman Mike Aviles.
Fail.
Royals, 6-5
Game 3: Felix was taken out in the 5th inning. If that happens, you know something went wrong.
Oh, and it's hard to win when you don't score any runs. That's pretty important.
Royals, 7-0
Game 4: All I can is this: Micheal Pineda is legit. And if you need any more conformation, just look at his first three MLB starts: 2-1, 2.33 ERA, 16 strikeouts. Just... wow.
Pineda pitched a solid 6 innings, only giving up 1 run over 5 hits.
After taking some heat from their skipper yesterday, you hoped the Mariners would have a little extra motivation, to, well, not fail. Luckily, they didn't fall on their faces, as Milton Bradley hit a triple to drive in Ichiro in the 6th inning to tie the score up 1-1. But the M's needed more than one run.
With runners on second and third, in the 7th inning, Brendan Ryan hit a single to right field to drive in two extra runs. That's all the Mariners needed.
Mariners, 3-2.
Stud Mariner performances: Game 3, Ichiro (2 Hits, 2 RBI).
Game 4, Micheal Pineda (6 IP, 1 ER, 5 SO).
Aside from Pineda, this series was the definition of awful. Hopefully, the Mariners can erase the first three games from their memory banks.
Reach Nathan Parsons at nathanparsons98@yahoo.com
