Earl Weaver Rules

Game 20 Recap-

Seattle Mariners 4- Baltimore Orioles 2

Orioles wasted a great pitching performance by RH Jeremy Guthrie to lose a tough game to open a 3 game series vs Seattle at Safeco Field, 4-2. The game was tied in the 8th and the Mariners rallied for 2 runs in the inning for the winning margin.

After the Orioles took the lead in the 1st on another rbi hit by 1b Kevin Millar to make it 1-0, Seattle responded. Guthrie was outstanding over his 7 2/3 innings of work. However he aallowed a single run in the 1st after M’s Superstar Ichiro Suzuki led off the game with a triple and scored Seattle’s 1st run on a ground out.

Mariners RH Felix Hernandez was tough as always but the Orioles made him work early in the game and he escaped some decent jams but also racked up a big pitch count. After a throwing error by C Ramon Hernandez made it 2-1 Seattle in the 5th, Felix gave the run back with a homer by Baltimore DH Aubrey Huff making it a new ballgame at 2. Hernandez pitched thru the 7th with a final line of 6 hits, 2 runs ,3 walks and 7 strike outs. LH ex Oriole Arthur Rhodes threw a clean 8th inning.

The Mariners took the game in the 8th inning. After a single and 2 walks, DH Jose Vidro’s rbi single made it 4-2. RH Dennis Sarfate got the last out of the inning in relief of Guthrie, who deserved better. Over 7 and 2/3 innings, he allowed 5 hits, 4 runs(3 earned) while walking 4 and striking 5. Mariners All Star Closer JJ Putz, among the elite closers in the game, entered the game fresh off of a DL stint and was devastating in the 9th with 2 strike outs for his 2nd save of the season after allowing a leadoff double.

2nd Guess-Manager Dave Trembley allows Guthrie to stay in the game at 100+ pitches with his bullpen fresh after an off day. Tough call, that why he get paid the big $$$$$

Next Game-

Orioles RH Daniel Cabrera(1-0) vs Mariners RH Carlos Silva(3-0)

Orioles Notes-Mariners honored ex Catcher John Marzano, who died tragically over the weekend, with a pregame ceremony. He played in Seattle from 96-98.