July 18th: SEA vs. HOU

Friday night games are special because it's the end of the work week and with public transit, I get to drink a little more than I do at a normal weekday game. I probably should've paced myself... which I did at every other game this season... but at least I was safe and had fun!

I sat right behind the Diamond Club, which wasn't a bad seat at all for just watching, but it made photos a little more difficult thanks to the umpire and constant movement from servers. Regardless, I picked six shots I think encompass my time at the ballpark that night.

When I write these recaps, I usually jog my memory by reading back chat-logs with my friends that run during games. Unfortunately, I believe I was too busy talking to the Mariners fans next to me about The Narrative.
It's always about the damn Narrative.
So, I did my best, using the few messages I sent during this two hour twenty-two minute game on a beautiful July evening, to piece together what this game was like for me.

I remember the 445-foot blast from Randy, putting the Mariners on the board in the fourth inning. I remember the Astros fans in my section putting their heads in their hands briefly, like it wasn't only the fourth inning, like it wasn't only one run– but they knew. The outcome of this game was written right here, at this moment, as a 445 foot drive left-center field, delivered right to the home bullpen.

Luis Castillo worked through six and two-thirds, those fastballs just absolutely devastating any Astros hitter who tried anything, three hits and two walks with seven Ks. Watching Luis Castillo pitch will never get old.

From there, it gets... fuzzy. Mitch Garver's home run I remember because it was a good example of what he can do when he connects with the ball, he just has this swing that makes it look so damn easy, I wish he could've hit in Seattle consistently.

I think I was talking about the Washington National's new catcher and former Mariners top prospect, Harry Ford, and the trade deadline with the guy next to me as Matt Brash gave up that RBI.

We dropped the topic of the trade deadline, because only bad things had happened while talking about it. Superstition is in my DNA, I fear.

Then, the Mariners offense did what it needed to do.

Explode.

Cole Young drew a walk, Ben moved him over, J.P. hit an RBI single. Julio drew a walk, Cal hit an RBI single (seriously, a single). Donovan Solano got a sac fly, and then Cal scored on a wild pitch.

Eduard Bazardo shut the Astros down after this avalanche of runs. Three batters, three ground outs. 3 and 2 to Victor Caratini, 1 and 2 to Yainer Diaz, then on 0 and 2 to former Mariner Taylor Trammell.

Winning felt good that night, and don't ask me how I felt the following morning.

I'll never attend a game without a 99¢ water bottle and a packet of Liquid IV again.