MARINERS WINS ITS THIRD STRAIGHT

MARINERS 6
OAKLAND 2
WP: Gil Meche (1-0)
LP: Esteban Loazia (0-1)
SV: JJ Putz (1)
HR: Carl Everett (1)

This was flat out impressive. In control from the first moment of the game and stayed in control the entire game. Solid pitching, good work from the starter and into the bullpen. Then the defense and the offense was solid throughout the game.

This is a game that makes you believe a little bit.

Lots of different feelings throughout the game on Meche. But the bottom line is he got the job done and he really pitched well. His movement was terrific and he did a better and better job of pitching to contact throughout the game. The 5th inning was particularly impressive. His pitch count was very high and with a 4-1 lead he really went at hitters to prolong the outing. This was smart pitching. He needs to get the pitch count down so he can go longer then 5 innings.

Any frustration about Meche was in the bottom of the 2nd when he was given a 3-1 and then got into a huge jam. It was typical Meche not closing the door but on this night he was able to get out of the jam.

Some of his specific pitches tonight were terrific. He threw a great 1-1 change-up to Chavez, a terrific 2 seam fastball that drifted away from left hander Kotsay.

Meche did an amazing job of wasting the A’s big hits.

This team continues looking like they are going to be able to score. Carl Everett went deep and all of the Mariners RBI’s came from 6-9 in the line-up.

Jo-Jo is the real deal.

The defense is stealing outs each night. If you rob two or three plays a night it costs the other team an inning.

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