Blue Jays series: six runs, two wins

With today’s 2-1 win, the Mariners took the three game series at Toronto- just their second series win on the road so far this season- due to the formula of strong pitching backed by solid defense. Congratulations, Seattle Mariners, after eight weeks you’re managed to figure out how to win despite averaging two runs a game with your mediocre offense!

As it was Felix’s trip to the mound, it was time for the M’s to pick up their one guaranteed victory per week. After an eight-start stretch that included six losses and two no decisions, Felix picked up his third straight victory. By allowing an unearned run over eight innings while striking out eight and allowing four hits, Felix has now stretched a streak of 21 innings wihtout allowing an unearned run over his last three starts.

The offense- and I use that term loosely- was provided by a triple from Yuniesky Betancourt knocking in Richie Sexson, who has somehow hit safely in six out of nine games despite being prevented from going yard. Raul Ibanez capped off the scoring with an RBI single capping a ninth inning rally off Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan, as Ichiro beat the throw to the plate to score the go-ahead run.

So, the game was about as exciting as a 2-1 game could possibly be. Woo.

Hopefully the Mariners can pull out more 2-1 or 1-0 wins during this weekend’s series against the visiting Washington Nationals, as the 2008 season enters the interleague portion of the schedule. There’s plenty of reasons to think that could happen this weekend, as the Nats offense is perhaps nearly as bad as the M’s, averaging just 3.67 runs a game. Miguel Batista, fresh off blowing a save in Monday’s 3-2 win, takes the mound in Friday’s game, and enjoys success in his career against the Nats, winning his only decision while allowing a 3.99 ERA and a 30:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 38 innings against Washington. Sean Hill, Batista’s mound opponent on Friday, is making his career debut against the M’s, and that usually results in the M’s offense getting handcuffed by a newbie pitcher….