ANAHEIM, Calif. — So is it all in the Boomstick?
Seattle Mariners first baseman Logan Morrison had three more hits in Tuesday’s wrenching walk-off loss to the Angels and … well, how long are you willing to believe in coincidences?
Morrison is, entering Wednesday’s series finale, 13-for-26 with seven extra-base hits in seven games since borrowing one of Nelson Cruz’s bats, i.e., a Boomstick.
“Yeah, but I don’t think it’s the bat, necessarily,” Morrison said through a smile. “But I’ll let you guys say whatever because I don’t really care.”
So this isn’t a Roy Hobbs/Wonderboy parallel?
“Ah, but it wasn’t about Wonderboy, either,” Morrison countered. “He got a new one and hit a homer after that.”
Well, that’s what happened in the movie version. The ending in Bernard Malamud’s novel is considerably darker.
All that matters, really, is Morrison raised his average nearly 100 points in his seven-game surge, from .149 to .247, and his slugging percentage spiked from .194 to .430.
“I’m just staying behind the ball better,” he said. “Once my front foot hits, I’m able to rotate instead of (leaning) toward the pitcher.”
Manager Lloyd McClendon credited Morrison’s hot streak to the law of averages.
“He swung the bat well before that,” McClendon said. “They were just making plays on him. It’s amazing, you get positive results, and guys’ confidence skyrockets.”
Morrison agreed.
“Success breeds success,” he said. “I’m not worried about a first-pitch sinker on the outside corner, if he calls it a strike. I know I’m going to get a better pitch to hit. And I’m not going to miss it.”
And yet … the Mariners rank 12th among the 15 American League clubs in runs scored and last in on-base percentage. Cruz has been their best hitter. Now, Morrison is heating up.
Should some other players maybe look into using Boomsticks?
“I’ve already ordered them,” McClendon said.
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