I don't know about you but it sure is a lot of fun paying attention ot games that matter in August. Oh, I'd be listening to Marienrs games on my kitchen radio, watching FSN any chance I got , and religiously reading the next day's recap even if the M's were twenty games out. But an extra-inning victroy after a three-run lead was blown in the ninth by the team's ace closer is so much thrilling when the games matter. And last night's 8-7 victory over the Angels had it all: the horror of seeing Felix sprawled on the ground after crashing into Ben Broussard in pursuit of Vladimir Guerrero's infield double; the fist-pumping excitement watching Felix overpower Angels hitters; the joy in seeing the M's put up a 5-0 lead, making a victory a sure thing; the sorrow when Putz- so dominating for so long- somehow choked up that ninth inning three-run lead; and the absolute bliss when Yuniesky poked that ground ball through a drawn-in five-man infield with the sacks full of Mariners runners. Creators of roller coasters couldn't do worse than atempt to emulate the rises and falls of last night's game.

So the M's kicked off the first day of August taking the rubber game of the three-game series against the Angels, and things are shaping up to be the most dramatic late summer in M's history in four years, since their late-summer swoon in 2003. Although they only picked up a game against the Angels- making that seven-game skid a couple weeks back look very large indeed- any enthusiasm about the Mariners should be tempered by the fact that 2003's swoon has been common for the Mariners in recent history. Last year, the M's played sub-.400 ball in August, as the team that nosed above .500 in June sunk to the depths of the Al West one more time. The Angels, meanwhile, put up a 16-13 record in last year's August, part of a brilliant second half in which the Angels won 46 of 74 games in an attemtp to reach the postseason- an attempt that fell short. (Such is the fate when you hsare a division with the Oakland A's. You can't be near perfect. You have to be perfect.)

Obviously, if the two teams repeat what they did last summer, the M's would be looking at a near-insurmountable eight-run deficit come Septemeber. (You can never rule anything out if you have memories of the 1995 season etched in your brain.) But this Mariner team should avoid a similar collapse. Of the 27 games remaining this month, less than half are against teams with winning records- three against Boston, six against Minnesota, three against the Angels in Seattle at the end of the month (which should be very interesting), and a make-up game against Cleveland. As for the upcoming Boston series, all I can say to the Red Sox is to look out. After taking two of three from their bitter divisional rival who had dominated them all season, you know the Mariners are going to be riding an emotional high when the Sox roll into town this weekend. And its been confirmed that Adam Jones will join the team at the beginning of the series to add some oomph to the offense.

For the Mariners to continue to compete throughout August, look for Beltre to wield a hot bat. August is his best month, as he appers to improve as the season progresses. Its the only month that he tops .300 in his career, with an .893 OPS that easily tops the other months. And Beltre picked up two hits, scoring twice as well, in six at-bats in last night's game to bring his season average to .275. Ichiro had another typical Ichiro night last night, picking up fourth four-hit game of the season to bring his average to .351. Ichiro also enjoys hitting in August, with a .319 Yuniesky Betancourt, who I am supporting for MVP after last night's game, struggles mightily in August, hitting just .258, so let's hope last night's heroics translate into a career month for Yuni, as it would help the team challenge the Angels down the stretch.

The three-game series agaisnt the Red Sox starts Friday and with this emotional high the M's are on, I can see them taking two this weekend....