Talk about missing the mark …
A GRIP ON SPORTS
It's hard to admit when you are wrong. But it's also good for the soul. Cathartic is the term, I believe. But I could be wrong. Again. Read on.
• Looking at the Mariners' schedule down the stretch last week, I noticed something simple. They had James Paxton pitching Friday night against the A's in the opener of a key three-game series. After that was: Felix Hernandez, one of the top three pitchers in baseball; Chris Young, at Safeco, where he's really tough; and, on Monday night in Anaheim, Hisashi Iwaukuma, though struggling, still lights out in his career against the Angels. It seemed to line up perfectly for a short, quick winning streak that would propel them to a playoff spot. With all that in mind, I wrote this: "So let's just make this wildly out-there prediction: If the M's win tonight, they'll end up in the playoffs; if they lose, they won't. I don't care about the other 16 games. So, if I'm right, then tonight is the definition of must-win game." Talk about being wrong. So, so wrong. The M's did win Friday night as Paxton struggled a bit but pitched well enough for the victory. Since then, nothing. No offense against the A's as Felix and Young both pitched well. Then it was no offense and, figuratively, no Iwakuma, as last night the right-hander seemed to collapse in the third inning, issuing a two-out, bases-empty, four-ball walk to the No. 9 hitter Efren Navarro and then losing a battle to Albert Pujols, who stroked a three-run double. It was all part of an awful 8-1 loss to the Angels. The three consecutive losses mean the M's are two games back of the Royals for the second wild card spot with just 13 games left. Can they make them up? Sure. Will they? Maybe. But even if they do make the playoffs, it won't be because they won last Friday as some idiot believed – or prove that statement correct. It will be because they are a lot more resilient and tough than that same dumb-ass thought. Wow. That did feel good.
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• WSU: It was a busy day on the Palouse yesterday. Press conference day. Jacob Thorpe was in the new football operations building much of the afternoon, listening to coach Mike Leach and a trio of players talk about the upcoming matchup with No. 2 Oregon. He has video of their comments and a summary of Leach's statements. ... Jacob also has more, including a first look at Oregon, a notebook centered on the game, the starting time for next Saturday's Utah game and this morning's post with links. ... There was also basketball news yesterday, as the Pac-12 announced all the schedules from its schools, including Washington State. The Cougars' schedule won't include a Hardwood Classic, though, as the previously schedule matchup with Hawaii was cancelled. I don't know if this had anything to do with the cancellation. but the game was promoted by Idol Sports and Entertainment, whose founder and guiding force, John Hines, died in August. That was something we should have passed along then as Hines had numerous Inland Northwest connections. ... With the injuries this weekend to starters Taylor Kelly (ASU) and Brett Hundley (UCLA), ESPN.com's Pac-12 blog takes a look at the backup quarterbacks in the conference. ... The Ducks are reaching down their depth chart on the offensive line. ... By the way, I just found this interesting. Don't know if it interests you, but thought I would pass it along. It's from CBSSports.com and it's about four-year scholarships.
• Gonzaga: The Zag women's soccer team posted a shutout yesterday.
• Chiefs: With the Western Hockey League about to begin again, Chris Derrick takes the time to examine the upcoming season – and make predictions.
• Seahawks: It was a somber day at the Hawks' practice facility. A quiet, serious, reflexive day. At least that was the tone set by coach Pete Carroll, who spoke with the media as he usually does on Mondays during the season. The San Diego loss seemed to tick off the Hawks, who face AFC defending champion Denver this Sunday. ... The heat took its toll on the Seahawks last week, especially on a defense that was on the field for way too many snaps. Carroll knows that has to be fixed.
• Mariners: The 8-1 loss to the Angels seems to be part of a trend for the M's. A bad trend. They have lost five of six, and six of their last eight games. ... Dustin Ackley has missed most of those, but his ankle was good enough last night he was back in the lineup. ... Endy Chavez doesn't mind being the M's top pinch hitter.
• Sounders: The U.S. Open Cup final tonight in Pennsylvania has some historic overtones and it's not just because the Sounders are trying to win their fourth Cup in the past six years. ... Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin and Sounders coach Sigi Schmid talked about the match yesterday. ... FIFA is still testing CenturyLink's turf.
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• Summer is hanging on, in a good way. Yesterday was a beautiful day. Today is supposed to be more of the same. Makes it all that much harder to think summer will be leaving us soon. Stay a little while longer man. We enjoy your company. Until later ...
