I remember when the Mariners made history by losing a game in which they led by 12 runs with 3 innings to go. That game included a 5 run bottom of the 9th which forced extra innings, where they eventually lost. That loss was in 2001, and it would ironically be enough to cost them win #117.
I didn't think I'd ever see a bigger meltdown by a Mariners bullpen, but I think tonight takes the cake. They allowed 6 runs in the 9th, and it would have been at least a couple more had the final double been played out (it was in the air forever, and would have likely cleared the bases). There was just one out, too. Had Seattle led by 10, it's conceivable they might have lost even then. Stunning.
In fairness, I thought all three pitchers were getting squeezed horribly by the umpire, especially Medina who had a no-doubter strike 3 on the 2nd to last batter, who would later reach base. If the ump calls that strike, who knows how the rest of the game turns out. Seattle had a 1 run lead and would have just needed one more out to escape with the win. I'd bet that if the ump had called a better strike zone that inning, Seattle might have won comfortably. Wilhelmsen is so shaky that it doesn't take much for him to spiral out of control. He's kind of become the new Brandon Morrow as closer.
