Mariners Blog

Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

E-mail Geoff| Mariners Forum| Subscribe | Blog Home

August 13, 2008 9:57 PM

Picture tells it all

Posted by Geoff Baker

Do I need to say more? I'll admit it. I believe in the power of the Rally Monkey. Was here in 2002 when the Angels, down 5-0 to the Giants in Game 6 of the World Series, found a way to come back. Scott Spiezio had his career highlight, a three-run homer in the seventh. And then Troy Glaus capped a three-run eighth with a huge double to put the Angels up to stay. That capuchin monkey was dancin' up a storm that night.

Here tonight, both teams caught the fever the minute that ape showed its face.

Back and forth, with the M's tying it 3-3 in the seventh, falling behind 4-3, then tying it 4-4 in the eighth only to fall behind 6-4. How about Seattle then scoring three in the ninth to take the lead over a furious K-Rod, who felt Miguel Cairo had been doubled-off at second on a flyout to right moments earlier.

The Angels argued, but to no avail. Jeremy Reed hit a tying double, then Raul Ibanez a go-ahead single. K-Rod was tossed from the game for mouthing off about the Cairo call. All looked good for the M's. They had been 0-64 when trailing after eight innings.

But oh, that monkey again.

In came J.J. Putz and out of the ballyard went the baseball. The second homer of the night for Mark Teixeira. We're now in the bottom of the 10th, it's 7-7 and the monkey has come out to play once more.