A rare Mariner win and a pitching gem

Two weeks ago, I watched a sorry contest between the Seattle Mariners and the Anaheim-based Angels of Los Angeles at Safeco Field. I left the game disgusted after the opposing team's batters poured on the offense by clubbing the home-team pitchers like mashed plantains for the Puerto Rican side dish mofongo. If I had paid for the tickets, I would've asked for a refund.

So flash forward to the eighteenth where the Mariners and the UW Physicians group handed out 30K bobblehead dolls pairing former Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) members Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki. The duo bobbleheads predicted "Copperstown Bound" -- a prediction that it doesn't take the Amazing Kresin to foresee.

But seriously, lefty Cliff Lee pitched a gem of a game for the cellar dwellers. Lee threw a complete-game shutout yielding six hits and striking out seven members of the Cincinnati Reds. One hundred and fifteen pitches... the guy pounded the hard-hitting Reds like mofongo.

Granted, Lee wants to leave by the season's end... ideally, earlier so he can get traded to a contending team (like, maybe the Cincinnati Reds.) Can you blame him? Meanwhile, Lee continues to give 100 percent to a very depressed and unmotivated team of players. Guys who play on auto drive don't hurl shutouts.

We wish you would -- and want to -- stay in Seattle, Cliff. If you leave, that's part of the business aspect of the game. We can only hope that Trader Jack makes a swap that lands some worthy prospects in your place. And please don't sign with the Damn Yankees.