I had no idea that a series win in Anaheim could be this depressing. Nevermind the fact that the Mariners should have completed a three game sweep though, let's look at exactly how they were able to take two out of three from their division rivals, the Angels.
Game One: 5-2 Mariners
After scoring three early runs, the M's took this game pretty easily. Jason Vargas showed once again that he's got the poise to be a Major League starter, and the Mariners offense was able to tally a respectable five runs against the formidable John Lackey.
Aside from the Mariners winning the game 5-2, the most memorable moment of the game was Juan Rivera robbing Russell Branyan of a home run, and then nearly robbing Jose Lopez one batter later.
David Aardsma also recorded his seventh save of the year.
Game Two: 4-3 Mariners (10 innings)
The Mariners really had no business winning this game. After a pitchers duel between Felix Hernandez and Matt Palmer, the Angels were able to muster up a 3-0 lead going into the ninth inning. After a couple of singles by Adrian Beltre and Russell Branyan, Jose Lopez came to the plate as the tying run with two outs against Angels closer Brian Fuentes.
Miraculously, Lopez was able to crush a 1-1 fastball from Fuentes well into the left field bleachers to tie the game. After Miguel Batista nearly allowed the winning run to score in the bottom half, the M's managed to take a 4-3 lead in the tenth on a Yuniesky Betancourt sac fly.
Aardsma came in to finish off the game, and to guarantee the Mariners a series win against the Angels.
Game Three: 9-8 Angels
A day after the Mariners won a game they had no business winning, they lost a game that they had no business losing. It's funny how things even out.
After building a should-be comfortable 8-1 lead against the struggling Ervin Santana, the Mariners slapped probability in the face and slowly let the lead slip away. In the ninth inning, the Mariners brought in David Aardsma to secure an 8-6 lead and a three game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels.
Unfortunately, this was the fourth day in a row that Aardsma had pitched, and he had no control whatsoever. After walking two hitters, Aardsma was able to record the second out of the inning by inducing a Bobby Abreu fly out.
Luck was not on Seattle's side in that ninth inning and Vladimir Guerrero blooped the first pitch he saw over Russell Branyan's head and into right field.
With runners on second and third, Wakamatsu called for the intentional walk of Torii Hunter. This was a questionable call, loading the bases with the tying run on third base and a pitcher on the mound with no control, and sure enough Aardsma proceeded to walk in the tying run on four pitches.
With the game tied, David surrendered a game ending single to Kendry Morales, and that was that.
Overall, you can't be too disappointed in taking two out of three from the Angels in Anaheim, but it's still quite depressing to be that close to a sweep, and then blow it. The Mariners, though, can look forward to a soft June schedule and a chance to get back in the AL West race.
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