Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, September 29, 2008

M's win shows what could have been

A solid outing from their starting pitcher and bullpen and timely hitting leads to a 4-3 win over Oakland that epitomizes what the 2008 Seattle Mariners were expected to do.

By Kirby Arnold
Herald Writer

 SEATTLE -- This wasn't how the season was supposed to turn out, with 101 losses, tee times and family barbecues now occupying the Seattle Mariners' minds.

They thought they would contend for the playoffs, and if there was ever a blueprint for what the Mariners believed they could accomplish on a regular basis in 2008, Sunday's game was it.

Starting pitcher R.A. Dickey was effective into the sixth inning, the bullpen backed him with a stellar effort leading to a three-strikeout save by J.J. Putz, and the offense was productive enough to win a close game. The Mariners beat the Oakland A's 4-3 at Safeco Field.

It left them with a 61-101 record, 39 games behind the first-place Angels in the American League West and headed into the most uncertain offseason in franchise history.

The Mariners must decide who will be their general manager in 2009, and that person not only will hire the next manager, he or she will determine the course it will take to become competitive again.

That's why many Mariners, from manager Jim Riggleman to backup catcher Jamie Burke, packed their belongings into bags and boxes after Sunday's game not knowing if they'll be back.

After the Mariners completed their first home sweep since the final series last year, Riggleman thanked them.

"I told them not to focus too much on the standings and any negativity to this season," he said. "Focus on the positives, some of the good things that happened. It didn't show up in the standings, but a lot of good things took place.

"J.J. finishing up the way he did there, the year that Raul Ibanez and Ichiro had, Adrian Beltre playing through pain, Jose Lopez putting up numbers."

If any player had reason to take a last look before he walked off the field, it was Ibanez. He'll be a free agent and, after batting .295 with 23 home runs and 110 RBI, he'll be attractive.

With the Mariners expected to undergo some form or rebuilding that could put them years away from contention, Ibanez may choose to play elsewhere. Or he may not.

"The direction will be important," he said. "That being said, it's a great organization. They've treated my family great and the fans are great. There's an opportunity here to get better. The first thing is that they've got to get their house in order, so to speak, and see what direction they're going to go. We all have to wait for them to make the decision."

Ibanez said he wants an opportunity to be competitive.

"But it's not impossible to win here," he said. "We wouldn't be the first team that goes from last to first, from last to the postseason."

If nothing else, the Mariners ended with smiles Sunday.

Dickey, after allowing three runs in the first inning, gave up three hits the rest of the way and finished with a 5-8 record.

Catcher Kenji Johjima, whose hitting struggles cost him his starting job early in the season, batted .341 since Sept. 10. It gave him a .223 season average.

Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, whose free swinging at the plate and inconsistent play in the field caused Riggleman to bench him at one time, finished with a six-game hitting streak. His two-run triple in the fifth inning gave the Mariners a 4-3 lead.

Lopez batted a career-best .297 with 89 RBI and, for the first time, didn't experience a falloff after the All-Star break.

He also finished the season as a symbol of the uncertainty that surrounds the Mariners.

A second baseman throughout his career, Lopez played a dozen games this month at first base and was productive there. He finished the season batting .320 in the final six games.

Asked whether he considers himself a first baseman or a second baseman now, Lopez smiled.

"The season's over," he said. "I don't have a position."

Read Kirby Arnold's blog on the Mariners at www.heraldnet.com
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA