New Low; Some Hope

“Whatever I can do to help this team to win a ballgame, I’ll do it,” says Jamie Burke, Mariners catcher, brought in to blow a save. Uh, if you want to help, how about hitting the ball?

In case you missed it: in a 15-inning standoff, mirroring the epic Wimbledon final (minus the heart and historic play), the Mariners lost 2-1 to the Tigers, with Jamie Burke being called out from behind the plate to throw the fateful, final inning. So Burke can now add an "L" to his illustrious Big League ball stats.

Another bizarre point of optimism from Jim Riggleman, too good not to note: "Burke did a good job for us. . . . He kept it to a one-run game." Jim, you know that we lost in extra innings, right?

Kidding aside, Burke should get credit for stepping up and actually getting two outs before losing the game. And really, the Mariners' offense had plenty of time to win that one before Burke was called out to pitch.

Finally, on a positive note, 24-year-old Mariners' reliever Cesar Jimenez looked good pitching a career high four innings of shutout, giving hope to all who want to see this team rebound.