Grip on Sports: Mariners need to figure out a way to break through
A GRIP ON SPORTS • It’s almost as if there is an invisible ceiling for the Mariners this season. It’s becoming almost comical what happens when they near the break-even mark. Read on.
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• We’ve written about the M’s struggles to become more than just a .500 ballclub so often, we’re tired of doing it. And we’re sure you’re tired of reading about it.
But it’s not something that can be ignored. Or glossed over.
It’s happening again. The Mariners pulled to 51-51 on Tuesday. They have played twice since. They are 51-53.
It happens about once a week. The bad news is the M’s just can’t put together a streak that pulls them into the rarified air of three or more games above .500 – a spot they have never been this season.
The good news is they haven’t put together a streak of losses that crushes all hope of a wild-card berth – though that’s looming out there every day.
The Mariners have dropped to 4.5 games behind in the wild-card race, which isn’t good. But that’s balanced, somewhat, by the fact there are now only three teams between them and the postseason.
Are we going to endure this agony the rest of the season? Win some, lose some, stay in touch with the leaders but never join them?
Being the M’s have played 104 games, aren’t going to make any blockbuster deals, and are pretty much who we thought they were, then yes, that’s probably the case.
It’s a bit better, I guess, than the alternative: lose 12 out of the next 14 games and drop out of the race all together.
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WSU: It may not be as exciting as throwing on every down, but the Cougars now have a running attack that’s in the Pac-12’s upper echelon. Jim Allen spoke with Jamal Morrow at the conference’s media days and has this story. … Around the conference yesterday, Clay Helton and Sam Darnold have USC in the national spotlight. … This is not the way Colorado wanted to begin the season. … A legend joins Arizona’s staff. … Utah is again choosing a starter among three quarterbacks. … So is Oregon State. … There are a handful of Washington players who may be breakout stars this season. … Arizona State’s pass defense was the country’s most porous last season. … Oregon’s best linebacker is just a sophomore.
Gonzaga: Przemek Karnowski has signed to play in the Spanish League next season.
EWU: The Eagles will be playing in Eugene in 2022.
Indians: The second half has begun well for Spokane. The Indians won their third consecutive game Thursday, a 5-0 decision at Everett, to take over first in their division. … Elsewhere in the Northwest League, Hillsboro handled Eugene in their series opener.
Preps: Ryan Collingwood catches up with Central Valley alum Will Davis, who is trying to find a spot with the San Francisco 49ers.
Mariners: Dave Nichols has brought the Mariners Log back, so we’ve added the links there.
Seahawks: Earl Thomas will be ready to start training camp but others may not be. … This purports to have everything you need to know about camp. … The Hawks traded linebackers with Kansas City. … Who needs a P.R. staff anymore? … The best position battle in camp may be at running back.
Sounders: Jordan Morris hopes his tournament-winning Gold Cup goal will propel him to a solid end-of-the-MLS-season run. … The Sounders face former coach Sigi Schmid and the L.A. Galaxy tonight.
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• Would you rather have the M’s continue to play the way they are playing, which is tough to watch at times, or have them just completely sink in the standings, allowing you to spend the rest of the summer focusing on other things? With football ramping up, maybe it doesn’t matter. Our eyes may soon be elsewhere. Until later …