I know by now it’s become a sports cliche, but that was literally what we did yesterday. Now that I’ve had some time to think about it, some thoughts, in no certain order…

  • David Aardsma broke my heart yesterday. Broke it into tiny little pieces, making me look, to my seatmates, like an idiot for flipping out about him coming into the game to begin with. David Aardsma blew his save opportunity with a 3-run lead, in a game that otherwise would have been a shut-out. Now while it was a terrible thing to witness, this might be good for him, because he has been so successful up until now. Someone on ESPN was pointing out the other day that it’s how you deal with a blown save that makes you as a good closer, not how many games you’re actually able to save. Whether or not Aardsma has the mental frame to shrug it off and go on remains to be seen. He says he has, and I believe him. That said, I did not record his entrance; for one thing, I don’t think they played the entire thing because it was a day game and would therefore lack the drama that it might have during a night game. For another, the music they were playing was in no way, shape, or form loud enough to get people riled up. Jessica and I shrieked like little girls, our section just looked at us like we were nuts. I will continue the shrieking until morale in my section improves.
  • I have this theory that there is a large vat of Crisco kept in the dugout somewhere for Chris Woodward to dip his hand into before he goes on to the field. I specifically remember at least two times he dropped the ball in situations that cost us either runs or runner advancement. Unfortunately, this seems to be a recurring theme with Woodward.  Just settle down and play ball, Woody. This is surely a trial by fire, having to take the place of Adrian Beltre, so I’m not going to repeat here the things I was actually saying at the game yesterday (plus, my mother reads this, so, you know, manners) - I feel sorry for anyone who has that amount of sudden responsibility laid on their shoulders. At least if we don’t sign/extend Beltre, Tuiasosopo might have some time to prepare for it, rather than being thrown into a situaton beyond his control, in front of fans that are used to having an airtight defense in that part of the field.
  • Jose Lopez decided to dip his had into Chris’s vat yesterday, right before the 9th inning. That bobble was painful to watch.
  • Vargas wasn’t 100% yet from his start with the flu in New York, but he and the rest of the bullpen did a decent job for the 8 innings preceeding Aardma’s mess. Garrett Olson was, much like his hair, shiny gold, coming into a bases-loaded situation with nobody out, and getting out of it without allowing a single run. 
  • There is actually such a thing as eating too many red vines.

Current word is that Chris Shelton is being sent up today. I’m absolutely not going to pretend that I’m not happy about this. I’m ecstatic. The article there postulates that it might be Vargas who gets sent down. All I know is, Chris Shelton’s been riding third base for the Rainiers for the past few months, and from what I’ve witnessed, not doing a horrible job. I realize this doesn’t translate to mad major league skills, but I also think that maybe Shelton is allergic to Crisco. Guess we’ll see when they make the announcement.

I’m not going to Icanhascheezburger night tonight, even though I really want the shirt they’re giving away. Maybe I can find it on eBay. Tomorrow is DVD night, and I’m all over it like a bad suit. Two games this weekend, and while my hopes are not high, I’m not going into it angry, either.

Oh, and if you’re in the Fort Lewis area, dont’ forget that Russell Branyan’s going to be hanging out in the commissary today from noon to 1, and David Aardsma at the Northgate QFC tomorrow at the same hour.