Seattle Mariners Game 26: Oakland 4 Seattle 2

For 7 innings Felix Hernandez was pitching a gem. He struck out 10 batters and clearly had the A's hitters frustrated. When he walked the first batter he faced in the 8th inning I felt he should have been taken from the game at that point. He was up over 100 pitches so why take the chance? I know Felix is a gamer and will always want to stay in the game. But it is still the coaches decision to take their pitcher out when he looks done. Felix loaded the bases with nobody out before surrendering a 2 run single to Emil Brown. Felix was finally removed from the game and replaced by Brandon Morrow. Morrow walked the first batter he faced to once again load the bases. He then gave up a 1 run single before striking out the next batter. Unfortunately he went on to give up another hit which scored Oakland's 4th run of the inning.

Once again NO OFFENSE! Beltre had a run scoring double in the first inning and Betancourt had a solo HR in the 4th. Other than that NOTHING. 11 batters left on base. Over and over we had men in scoring position and no one could get them home. What is the point in having great starting pitching if you have no offense to compliment it. WHY is Brad Wilkerson on this team? He has done nothing. It is time to call up Clement and Balentien and let them prove themselves in the big leagues. Neither one of them could be any worse than Vidro and Wilkerson. Cut your losses Bavasi and give your team a chance to win.

The team is in Cleveland tonight for the start of a 6 game road trip. 3 games in Cleveland and then it's off to New York for 3 against the Yankees.

First up in Cleveland is Silva vs Carmona. Going to be a tough night. They will need Silva to be sharp and they will somehow have to find a way to get hits off of Carmona.