Mariners 6, Rays 5 (Game #7) [3-4]

Well, boys and girls, the Rays have their first three-game losing streak of the season. The crowd of 36,048, which was just the ninth sellout in the Rays’ 11-season history, witnessed another winnable game, but the Rays had to face another pitching nemesis in the form of Erik Bedard. He's 11-3 in 19 career starts against Tampa Bay. The first ten victories came while he was with the Orioles. Tampa Bay starter Matt Garza had to leave the game in the third inning because of a radial nerve irritation in his right pitching arm. Before beckoning a trainer, Garza walked three batters and allowed three runs in the third inning. After walking Raul Ibanez intentionally to load the bases, he walked Richie Sexson to force in a run and gave up a two-run single to Brad Wilkerson. With only 2 2/3 innings pitched, Garza yielded the abovementioned three runs, three walks, including six hits with two strikeouts. Garza has been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu was recalled from Triple-A Durham to account for Garza being on the DL. The game started sensationally with Shawn Riggans homering to deep left in the second inning. After Seattle scored three runs in the third inning, the Rays tied the game 3-3 after Carlos Pena's solo homer to deep right and Willy Aybar's RBI single, scoring B.J. Upton. Seattle seized the lead 4-3 in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly by Jose Lopez. Yuniesky Betancourt scored from third base. Trailing by one run, the Rays regained the lead, 5-4, in the fifth inning with runs by Pena and Upton. Due to poor pitching in the sixth inning, Gary Glover gave up two runs after Sexson singled to right, scoring Ichiro Suzuki and Lopez. The Rays failed to score a run and only had one hit (Upton) for the next four innings. Upton's double in the seventh inning should have been a triple. He was thrown out. Joe Maddon was ejected for arguing with third base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt over the call. The Rays had numerous opportunities to get back into the game. Their chilly bats reared their ugly heads again. I've got great news, though. Scott Kazmir said he felt fine after throwing 42 pitches during a batting practice session before the game. It'd be great to have him back in the rotation soon, especially since Garza will be out for the next two weeks and likely will miss at least three starts. I'm harping a lot on hitting lately, but the pitching is still a worry of mine. With Kazmir and Garza out, the three remaining starters need to carry the load until the Rays have five healthy, proven pitchers in the rotation. Andy Sonnanstine was dazzling in his only career start against the Mariners, giving up only one run and six hits over seven innings in a 9-2 win at Safeco Field last September. The Rays pitcher will face Jarrod Washburn tomorrow. Washburn is 10-3 with a 2.69 ERA in 15 career starts against Tampa Bay. Great, another archenemy for the Rays to defeat. Andy, please wear your Superman shirt on Wednesday.