Bizarro Baseball

Jul 20, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Members of the Seattle Mariners including center fielder Michael Saunders (55) celebrate after defeating the Houston Astros 4-2 at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners defeated the Astros 4-2 today to extend their winning streak to five, dating back to their series pre-All Star game against the Angels.

But that isn’t even the most interesting part.

The Mariners won today despite getting 1 hit. Yes, you read right, just 1 hit. Bizarro baseball.

Iwakuma pitched well for seven innings, giving up two runs and getting himself out of quite a few jams. After getting out of a jam with men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs earlier in the game, a similar situation proved too much in the 5th. A sac fly and a single scored two runs, and the Mariners found themselves down 2-0 without a run to their name.

But in the 6th things changed (sort of). Two walks, followed by a passed ball, followed by a run scoring sac fly by Franklin, followed by a run scoring passed ball tied the game up for the Mariners against a Bedard with 10 strikeouts and a high pitch count. Game tied 2-2, no-hitter still intact.

Bedard still pitching in the 7th walks Smoak and gets pulled from the game. Through 6 1/3 innings with a no hitter, and he goes out of the game with 109 pitches.

In comes Cisnero, who in turn walks Smoak. So two on for the Mariners, still no hits.

Saunders up to bat. Smokes *no pun intended* a double up onto the bizarre hill in Houston. Smoak rounds from second and scores, Zunino follows suit from first. With one hit, an extra base hit, to the Mariners name, they led 4-2.

The bullpen held up, with the Bush getting crafty and Wilhelmsen ringing the last call bell, starting to look more and more like his old devastating self with devastating stuff.

The M’s struck out a whopping 15 times. But at least they walked six times.

Though they are young, and though they are still learning, they are finding ways to grind out the wins they so desperately need.

Don’t look now, but King Felix is on the mound for a chance at consecutive series sweeps. That would make two series sweeps for the Mariners this season.

Don’t look now, but the Mariners are seven games under .500, and looking like they can put it together… looking though, so don’t let your expectations get too lofty.

Don’t look now, but these young, tough Mariners, are learning how to manufacture WINS.

Don’t look now baseball, cause the Mariners are charging into your rearview mirror.