Stay Alive, the Survival Game

The Red Sox and the Mariners both won to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Casey "Playin'" Fossum pitched a good game only giving up two solo home runs. He made a great play on a Willie Harris bunt attempt witha man on first with none out in the first. The ball was popped up on the line. Fossum dove to catch the ball and then trotted to first to double up the runner. That's one you don't score everyday DP-1U. Where was the runners head--Fosum had time to pick himself up and lope over to first, and this was the lead-off hitter, D'Angelo Jimenez. Typically, the next batter, Frank Thomas, hit a home run. I give you the bunt, ladies and gentlemen, the best way to kill a rally, especially in the first.

Seattle rallied from a 7-2 deficit in the middle of the seventh to win 8-7 over the A's. The A's got a bit cocky pulled starter Barry Zito, after building up a lead, and got a dose of their own late-inning rally medicine. Would Joe Morgan look at the 8-7 loss and say that Zito pitched just well enough to lose or that the bullpen blew the game?

Shades of Donnie Moore in Arlington: The Angels lost 2-1 to Joaquin Benoit and the Rangers. The Angels continued their 3-game slide and remain three games in back of the A's with only five left. Of course, they need to get that final win to ensure a postseason appearance and should not worry about the A's.

They go again today: Ortiz (Ana) vs. Rogers (Tex), Hudson (Oak) vs. Moyer (Sea), and Lowe (Bos) vs. Biddle (Sox). If Lowe wins today, he will tie Zito for the AL lead. Martinez has 20 wins and has shut down for the season, but if the Sox are still in it on Thursday (his next scheduled start), can he refuse to pitch?