Stranded Mariners

The Mariners lost 4-3 tonight to the Tigers in Detroit and in the process stranded 23 total runners (that is the total for all players, 11 as a team). The M's fell into second place by percentage points behind the Angels in the process. In total the Mariners had 12 hits but only two extra base hits (doubles) and three walks. Usual sink holes Desi Relaford (0-for-2) and Jeff Cirillo (0-for-4) each stranded four (actually the two Seattle right fielders, Relaford and Sierra, stranded 7 on the night). Even old reliables John Olerud and Edgar Martinez stranded 3 and 4 runners each ahile having a decent night at the plate (Olerud 3-for-5 and Martinex 2-for-5).

Especially egregious was the Seattle fifth inning, in which the M's hit three consecutive singles and failed to score. Ichiro was caught stealing (his SB% is only 68% ever so slightly above the break-even point), McLemore was thrown out by 10 feet trying to go from first to third on a single. In the sixth they had runners at first and third and no outs, but failed to score. In the first they had the bases loaded with one out and Sierra grounded into a double play.