For the seond day in a row, a late-inning offensive explosion by the Chicago White Sox' bats versus the Marienrs' bullpen buried any chances of the M's to finish off the World Champions' 2006 post-season chances. The situations may hvae been different- as opposed to yesterday's ball-game the M's didn't go into the late stages of the ball-game with a commanding five-run lead- but the same result occurred. And, as opposed to the nine runs allowed in the last three innings of last night's ball-game, seven runs were given up in the last two in this one, including a five-run seventh inning which included Juan Uribe hitting a grand slam off Joel Pineiro.

Which begs the question: just why, exactly, is Pineiro even pitching in any Mariner games at all? Mike Hargrove must definitely have some sort of vendetta, as he keeps trotting Joel out to lose spectacularly in the worst situations, all but guaranteeing that Joel will lose his shot at retaining employment with the Mariners. Pineiro has now allowed five runs in 1.2 innings over his last two outings, and his ERA in the month of September has risen to 8.64. Obviously, Mike Hargrove hasn't noticed the "Caution: Flammable" on the Joel Pineiro package, and with Pineiro's presence in the game, a loss for the Mariners is all but expected.

The worst thing about the grand slam given up is that in the top of the inning, a three-run home-run by Johjima put the Mariners within one at 5-4. But, you know how the old saying goes: You play with Pineiro, you get burned.

Obviously, the pitching show-down I expected in today's game never materialized. Being unable to watch or listen to the game, I was unable to tell if the results of Ryan Feierabend's major league debut as a starter- five runs on eight hits, including three home-runs, in six inninngs- was due more to lack of skill or lack of luck. From what I understand is Feierabend has one more start this season to show what kind of stuff he can offer as possible rotation fodder.

Prior to Johjima's home-run, Freddy Garica appeared to have the Marienrs mostly stifled. Freddy's 20-inning scoreless streak was ended on an Adrian Beltre RBI single in the fifth. Despite keeping the M's hitless until the fourth inning, Freddy was chased in the seventh inning after Johjima's home-run. The M's continued to piece awhile at the White Sox lead- scoring three runs in the last two innings, on home-runs by Ben Broussard, Jose Lopez, and Raul Ibanez- but neded up falling short in this afternoon's slug-fest.

Beltre's RBI single was all the offense he could muster, though it did continue his 14-hit streak and maintained his average at .267. There is hopes that Beltre might be able to raise his average over the .270 mark in the next series, but as the M's are hosts in that series against an Oakland Athletic team seeking to wrap up the AL West division title that has been denied from by the Los Angeles Angels this past weekend.

The M's should be accomodating hosts, more than likely. Depending on how the Angels do Monday, Safeco Field could be the site of a division chmapionship. Just for the wrong team.

The A's are starting off with Esteban Loaiza on the mound tomorrow night, he who holds a 7.10 life-time ERA against the Mariners in 57.2 career innings to go along with a 3-5 record. Loaiza has split two decisions with the marienrs this season, including picking up the 'L' in the only game the A's have lost to the Mariners back on April 6th. In those two starts, Loaiza has allowed 10 runs and 15 hits in 10.2 innings. Beltre has only three hits in twelve at-bats (including three RBIs) versus Loaiza. However, Loaiza has been extremely hittable by Raul Ibanez and Ichiro, who have combined to rough Loaia up to a tune of .392 (20-for-51) with Ibanez holding a career .983 OPS off Loaiza. Ibanez might be able to add to his amazing season totals in tomorrow's ball-game, an opportunity that more than likely won't happen to Richie Sexson, as he has struggled mightily against Loaiza, getting two hits in 13 career at-bats with five strike-outs.

The Marienrs are putting up Cesar Jiminez to face the patient A's line-up. Jiminez has allowed seven runs in 3.1 innings for a career of 18.90, allowing three home runs and walking three compared to one walk. It's going to be ugly tomorrow. But who knows? Perhaps Jiminez's assortment of junk will prove to be the magic elixir that was missing from the M's arsenal for success against the A's.

More than likely, the A's will wrap up the division on the victorious side of a 13-3 score or something along those lines. Still, I bet Raul Ibanez hits another home-run and adds to his amazing season totals, as he has all ready reached the most home-runs by a left-handed Mariner batter since Ken Griffey Jr. back in 1999.

And please, for the sake of allthings good and holy, can the Mariners at least win one game in this three-game series versus the A's?