Grip on Sports: For one night the M’s had to pay up for all their one-run wins earlier this season

A GRIP ON SPORTS • For those of us who have to estimate such things, today is one of four tax days. Days we send money to the feds and hope it’s spent appropriately – and hope we estimated correctly. What does that have to do with sports? Read on.

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• Nothing really. I just wanted to get some sympathy. And to take your mind of the Mariner game from last night. The 2-1 loss to the visiting Boston Red Sox was disappointing in so many ways.

You wanted a great outing from Felix Hernandez? You got it. But the two runs he gave up in seven innings was one too many. That’s disappointing.

You wanted perfect relief work? You got it. But it didn’t matter and that’s disappointing.

You wanted a key late-inning hit, something that seems to be happening with regularity this season? There wasn’t one despite the opportunity for a couple in the bottom of the ninth inning, thanks to Craig Kimbrel’s wildness.

But Kimbrel is a closer in the Glengarry, Glen Ross sense of the word: tough, experienced, knowledgeable. You close or you hit the bricks. 

Unable to find the strike zone against Mitch Haniger and Nelson Cruz, Kimbrel faced Kyle Seager with no outs, two on and the game on the line. And he made Seager look silly.

Fastball, fastball, fastball. One out. And don’t even ask why Seager didn’t sacrifice. You’ll be laughed out of the clubhouse these days. It didn’t matter, though, because Ryon Healy did what he’s been doing all week: hit the ball hard. But it was right at an infielder and the double play ended the opening game of the four-game, prove-it series.

So tonight becomes even more important. James Paxton is the M’s ace. He will be the go-to guy if they make the playoffs. The ball will be in his hands when the season is on the line. This is good practice for that. Do it tonight, shove the bats up the Red Sox’s noses, and it bodes well for October.

If something untoward happens? Well, check you fingernails this morning. Because if Paxton comes up short of expectations tonight, you may be chewing on them for the next few days.

• To be honest, I never left the house yesterday. Instead, I hunkered down and watched the Long Island Massacre. Or as it is more commonly called, the U.S. Open.

My choice to win this thing, the aging Tiger Woods, made me look silly on his first hole. But then again, the wind at Shinnecock Hills made most golfers look silly.

Well, maybe not Dustin Johnson. The world No. 1, who spends some of his summer at Gozzer Ranch high above Lake Coeur d’Alene, seemed as relaxed as you or I playing a round at the Links with our buddies. He just shot a much better score.

Many of the rest of the big names, from Woods to Jordan Spieth to Rory McIlroy, will have to scramble today to make the cut. I’ll be watching.

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WSU: Around the Pac-12 this week, money is at the root of every school’s success, or lack of same. That was made abundantly clear this week in comments from Washington State president Kirk Schulz to USA Today. And reiterated in this piece from Jon Wilner yesterday. … One of Oregon’s biggest fundraising groups in Portland is closing its doors. … The Ducks’ secondary is lacking in experience. … The same can be said for Washington at the College World Series. 

Gonzaga: BYU got some good news yesterday. Guard Nick Emery, who sat out last season, has been reinstated by the NCAA. He will miss nine games but be eligible for WCC play.

Indians: The Northwest League begins tonight, with the Indians hosting Boise. Dave Nichols has a preview of the game at Avista Stadium. It should be a nice night.

Preps: Dave also has a prep notebook that covers many of the recent hires at local high schools. … Ryan Collingwood has coverage of the national wrestling tournament that is in Spokane this weekend. … Many of us have great memories of Briann January leading Lewis and Clark to the state 4A basketball tournament. It was a while ago now, but she’s still playing. And coaching.

Mariners: Before last night’s loss, the M’s made a couple roster moves. One of the new pitchers, Nick Rumbelow, pitched last night. … Yes, Hernandez pitched well. But David Price threw just a bit better.

Seahawks: The player who was not there was the main topic of conversation. But today we focus on Tyler Lockett, who says he wasn’t healthy last year. … And the pass rush. … There is a kicking competition with the Hawks.

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• So it looks as if Woods will not make the cut. So much for my abilities as a prognosticator. So who’s day should I ruin today? Justin Rose. He’s the guy who is going to win. That’s my choice now. Sorry Justin. Until later …