August 16, 2010 loss to Buck Showalter’s Baltimore Orioles, 5-4 in extras
HAaRD TO WATCH
David Aardsma walked in the tying run. That’s hurtful. In Seattle in 2010, 4 runs represent a flash flood of productivity that can hardly be wasted in such a Mark Wohlers-esque manner, against a team such as the Orioles. One could probably look at the last play of the game, which featured Jose Lopez missing a rolling bunt with his bare hand, but really a walk and a borderline error are really very distinct.
Aardsma’s a good player, so there’s not much to say about his performance other than that he probably would’ve been better off chunking one over the middle and giving up a run-scoring hit rather than an utterly mediocre bases loaded walk.
MOORE POTENTIAL
I did enjoy seeing Adam Moore lay into a pitch and hit it a long way. When you look at the departed Rob Johnson, you see that he had no power, whether actual or potential. Moore, at least, has potential power. Everybody fails sometimes, and those that stick have the potential to pop off in a heartbeat. Moore has that potential, and RJ did not.
SEAN IN 60 SECONDS
Bad teams have to put indisputably bad players into the game at very important moments. That’s what we saw when Sean White entered the game in what became the final half inning. He quickly gave up a double to Nick Markakis. That’s no match. And even if he didn’t give up much, his presence on the mound is that of someone trying badly not to give up the secret: that he shouldn’t be out there; that Jamie Moyer at age 60 is probably gonna be better than him. It’s not his fault, he’s doing his best and the powers continue to run him out there. The loss was mercifully quick, at least.
