Friday, May 18, 2001 (L: NYY 14-SEA 10 31-10)

Well, at least Ichiro continued his hit streak. It's now 23, tying his personal best, from Japan, and one short of the Mariners' team record. It was also his 7th straight multi-hit game!

I hate the Yankees. Can I say that? I was beginning to think that this blog was the M's secret weapon, and they couldn't lose as long as I was posting. Boy was I wrong!

John Halama got spanked. Boy am I glad we gave up Randy Johnson for this guy!!! Of course, Randy will break down in a year or so, and Garcia, Halama, and Guillen will be well on their way to the Hall of Fame. But, I do miss the Randy of 1995 on nights like this. Can you believe it was almost 11 years ago Randy pitched that no-hitter against Detroit? Mike Heath struck out for the final out. The M's lineup that day was:

2B Harold Reynolds
LF Henry Cotto
1B Alvin Davis
DH Jeffrey Leonard
CF Ken Griffey, Jr.
3B Edgar Martinez
RF Jay Buhner
C Scott Bradley
SS Mike Brumley

For all the crap Randy gets for having an inconsistent beginning of his career, 1990 was really only his 2nd full major league season, and he was only 26!

Enough about the past. Tino Martinez was the star tonight, going 4-5 with a HR, 4 RBI, and 3 runs (remember when he was with the Mariners in 1995? That was a great season! Oh sorry...back to 2001). I feel guilty. I still root for Tino, even though he's with the Yankees. I just wish he played for the D-Rays or somebody, so I could root for him and know his team would still lose.

Halama gave up 7 runs in 3 innings. Then Tomko came in and gave up 6 more in 3 innings. At least we didn't give up anybody good to get Tomko! Ryan Franklin, Olympic Hero, pitched strongly for the final 3 innings, giving up only 1 run on 4 hits.

In the 2nd inning, Olerud was hit in the head by NY starter Ted Lilly's final pitch. Joe Torre then pulled Lilly for Ramiro Mendoza who threw 4.2 innings for the win.

David Bell sat out tonight with a sore knee. He's day-to-day after an MRI.

Although Luis Sojo (there I go again with the '95 M's references) didn't play tonight for the Yankees, he announced he will be holding the Luis Sojo All-Star Gala on July 9 at the DV8, the night before the All-Star Game. Playing at the event will be his 14-member salsa orchestra up from Venezuela for the event, for their first stateside performance. Sojo's first CD, recently released, is titled "Luis Sojo y Su Orquesta," if you want to pick it up. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to local charities.

Back to baseball: Minnesota lost too!