And as we raced across
Bright knots of rail
Past standing Pullmans, walls of blackened moss
Came close, and it was nearly done, this frail
Travelling coincidence; and what it held
stood ready to be loosed with all the power
That being changed can give. We slowed again,
And as the tightened brakes took hold, there swelled
A sense of falling, like an arrow-shower
Sent out of sight, somewhere becoming rain.
-From, Philip Larkin, "The Whitsun Weddings"
The Royals look to end a three game losing streak this Pentecost afternoon in Seattle in what promises to be one of the most important sporting events we will ever watch in our lives. Holding firm at 13 wins, the Royals are a full 9 games behind the rest of the American League, and 6 games worse than the Marlins, the second worst team in baseball. Like Larkin's arrow-shower, the Royals exude a continued and profound sense of falling, leaving us only to ponder our role as passengers.
Last night, well, whats left to say other than to shrug and sigh? The Royals were absolutely pounded by the Mariners to the tune of a 12-1 dirge. Setherton was blasted for 7 runs in just 2+ innings of "work", forming part one of a nifty tandem with Andy Sisco (4 runs allowed) as game ruiners. Thankfully, the Royals used Dessens, Peralta, Burgos and Gobble in mop-up duty, which was either a) the proverbial "getting guys work" maneouver or b) Buddy Bell's channelling of Dusty Baker's staff management in the 2003 NLCS. I guess its in the hands of history to decide...
Of course, let us not despair the pitching meltdown too loudly, as it would represent a painfully unfair disservice to the lineup; which contributed to the horribleness with a 1-run effort of its own. The Royals managed 6 singles and a double (congrats Minky!!), as well as 3 walks. 'Course, it wouldn't be a Royals game without at least a couple GIDPS, and we got two for our loyalty last night. Mix in a Bako error and a passed ball, and it was an all-around terrible performance.
By the way, has anyone ever seen Brent Mayne and Paul Bako in the same place at the same time?? Just wondering.
This afternoon an angry Royals team looks for REVENGE against the Mariners. The Royals send Mark Redman (0-4, 6.88 ERA) to the mound against the supremely overrated Jarrod Washburn. When I was growing up it seemed like half the kids were named "Jarred" or "Jarrod" or some similarly slurred derivative (why even try to spell things consistently anymore, lets just go Old School and never even spell our own names the same way, wouldn't be any worse than now). Where did this name come from? Sorry, not a fan.
Washburn's getting paid $37.5 million for the duration of his Mariners contract, and has already made over $16M. Yet, its still Arod's salary ($22 M per) that has the power to invite endless disgust and petty envy across the sporting landscape, including some ugly episodes in fair Seattle.
Ohh well, to each his own, its not right to player hate on Whitsun.
Be sure to post your memorable in-game comments and lamentations here. This promises to be a life-changing afternoon of Royals Baseball.