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closeARLINGTON, Texas — Let’s see if this is correct. J.J. Putz got the win? Jarrod Washburn got the save? And Miguel Cairo provided the game-winning hit? Yes, all of it was true.
It wasn’t some strange episode of the Twilight Zone. This was Seattle Mariners baseball and what it took to prevail, 4-3, over the Texas Rangers in 12 innings on Wednesday and avoid being swept for the three-game series and fall one step deeper into last place in the American League West.
“This was a big win, I can’t underemphasize it,” Manager John McLaren said, in something of a malaprop. “We needed to get something on the board on the positive side.”
It was indeed a positive sign for a Mariners team that was positively reeling, coming in having lost 12 of its last 14 games.
But positive isn’t always easy. It took three extra innings, a club-record eight pitchers and a little bit of a luck for the Mariners to get their 16th win of the season.
“Whatever works,” Washburn said. “We needed this win in a big way.”
Cairo, who has taken his fair share of criticism for even being on the team, perhaps justified his roster spot for at least one more day.
“It’s kind of nice to do the little things,” Cairo said. “That’s my job to come out and play when they need someone, and contribute.”
He contributed two hits, including the game winner and a one huge defensive play.
“Cairo was big in this game,” McLaren said.
The 11-year major league veteran provided the gamewinning hit in the top of the 12th, spanking a single up the middle to drive in Wladimir Balentien, who led off the inning with a single and moved up on a sacrifice and deep flyout. Cairo, who has replaced the suspended Richie Sexson at first base the last few days, also made sure he had a chance to be the hero by turning a key double play in the bottom of the ninth on Chris Shelton’s bunt to first. So which felt better?
“Well I always take pride in my defense, and that was a big play for us to take the momentum away from them,” Cairo said. “But it was also nice to get a base hit and help the team win the game.”
Once the Mariners took the lead in the 12th, it was Washburn who was called on to shut the door. Normally, the team’s No. 4 starter, Washburn had been in the bullpen the last two days because his start was being skipped this weekend.
“He’ll fall in somewhere in the Detroit series,” McLaren said. “If we didn’t skip somebody, we’d have two or three pitchers that would have seven days’ of rest.”
Still, Washburn wasn’t anticipating coming in and closing the door when the game started.
“No, that job is securely in the hands of J.J.,” he said.
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