Sunday, May 20, 2001 (W: SEA 6 - NYY 2 32-11)

The M's won 6-2 today, as Aaron Sele improved his record to 6-0, and the M's handed aging Roger Clemens his first loss of the season.

With one out in the bottom of the first, Clemens threw 12 straight balls, loading the bases, which Bret Boone quickly emptied with a double. Clemens eventually settled down and went 7 innings before being relieved by Friday's starter, Ted Lilly (who only threw 47 pitches in 1.1 innings two nights ago).

Odd play in the 4th, as Alfonso Soriano reached on an 8-6 double play fielder's choice. I'll let the Times article explain it:

With one out and Posada on second and Scott Brosius at first, Soriano hit a line drive to center fielder Mike Cameron. Cameron dropped the ball, but threw to shortstop Carlos Guillen, who tagged Posada out and touched second to force out Brosius.

This is a great example for all you little league coaches (and frustrated husbands) who need a way to explain how the infield fly rule actually reduces confusion among players.

Since it's Sunday, coverage was a little more extensive in this morning's paper.

There were a couple mentions in the Times about Gil Meche's rehab. The M's expect him to return as soon as August! Remember, no pitcher has ever returned from labrum surgery, so don't hold your breath.

There's another article about the M's single-A minor league team in San Bernardino, and how much worse they are this year compared to last year, juxtaposing players such as Willie Bloomquist, who hit .379 last year, and Justin Leone, who is only hitting .166 for the Stampede this year. A poor minor league season can end the career of a young kid; luckily for guys like Leone, the whole team is hitting poorly, so maybe he'll get another chance. The article does point to some rising stars in pitchers Rafael Soriano, a converted outfielder, and Julio Mateo, both of whom have 3.48 ERA's in a hitter's league.

There was a note today in Larry Stone's article that mentioned Baltimore trying to trade for a young third baseman. I wonder if Ripken will retire this year; if he does, his last game will be in New York on September 30th. I wonder if tickets are still available. I've never been to Yankee Stadium.

Although I try not to predict the future much on this blog, I predict that 3 years from now, there will be a very entertaining blog called "Mariner Musings," detailing the heroics of the M's 2004 season, as they go for their fourth straight World Series championship. Thanks for the kind words about this "happy place" Peter. You sent my hit counter into double digits, and I spent all day watching it rise.