Spell revenge with A’s

  • Kirby Arnold / Inside the Clubhouse
  • Saturday, October 7, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

SEATTLE – After they wiped the champagne from their eyes and had a clear view of the baseball world, the Seattle Mariners swore they didn’t care who they play this week in the American League Championship Series.

The company line was like this: “They’re both good clubs and whoever we face will be a challenge.”

Oakland or New York, it doesn’t really matter, the Mariners said.

Yeah, sure. And Lou Piniella really did give Mike Cameron a stock tip last Tuesday in Chicago.

Deep down, this team thirsts for Oakland.

They don’t just want Oakland, they want to pummel the A’s.

One of the Seattle coaches, asked who he wanted next, struck a fighter’s pose and said, “Oakland.”

The A’s embarrassed the Mariners in the regular season, winning nine of the 13 games. They won three of four last month in Seattle, a series that essentially cost the Mariners the American League West Division title.

Oakland sends a parade of powerful left-handers to the plate and pounds right-handed pitching into submission, including the Mariners’.

When the Yankees’ Andy Pettitte beat them on Wednesday, it was only Oakland’s second loss in a two-week period. Both came against left-handers, Pettitte and Seattle’s John Halama.

If it is Oakland, the Mariners could have their best chance to beat them now.

Because they clinched their division series early, the Mariners can set their pitching rotation the way they wish, with only right-hander Aaron Sele not available for Game 1 on Tuesday. Look for them to use Halama early in the series so they also can pitch him late.

The key could be left-hander Jamie Moyer. If he’s as healthy as he says, and if he can become the effective junk-baller he was early this season, the Mariners’ fortunes could be vastly different against the A’s.

When Moyer won eight of nine decisions early this season, he beat the A’s twice in a five-day period.

Halama has faced Oakland twice, getting a no-decision on May 12 and a 3-2 victory on Sept. 24.

The Moyer-Halama duo gave the Mariners three of their four victories in the regular season against Oakland. If Moyer is ready, don’t be surprised if he and Halama get the ball often.

And if it’s New York?

That’s a better matchup, with a more right-handed lineup that the Mariners have handled well. The M’s went 6-4 against New York this season – 3-1 at Yankee Stadium.

The Mariners know they can play with New York.

But deep down, they want Oakland.

When Alex Rodriguez moved Raul Ibanez to second with a bunt in the fourth inning Friday against the White Sox, he wasn’t thinking sacrifice.

“I was thinking that in a best-case scenario, we’d have runners on first and second with nobody out if I get a good bunt down,” he said. “In a worst-case scenario, I get the runner to second.”

Rodriguez pushed the bunt toward pitcher James Baldwin, who threw him out. Ibanez made it to second and scored on Stan Javier’s single.

It’s not just the vast outfield dimensions that make Safeco Field a better place for “small ball” tactics.

It’s a much better place to bunt, bench coach John McLaren says.

“It was very hard to bunt in the dome,” McLaren said. “The field was sloped and the ball would always roll foul.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) celebrates during a stop of the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on Nov. 24, 2024 (Photo courtesy of Rod Mar / Seattle Seahawks)
Leonard Williams restructures Seahawks deal

More moves may be coming as Seattle deals with salary cap.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.