The highlight of the season

Even in the best of season and, believe me this is a long way from even a good one, there are only a few moments that capture the essence of the game.  It may be a single pitch, but in that split-second you learn something about the character of a player or a team, you see past all of the movement and complexity of the game to grasp what baseball is all about.

Despite the tough extra-inning loss to the Astros last night there was, for me, one of those revelatory moments. So pure and exhilarating that I was left, for the first time this season, that the team Dipoto and Servais are reimagining might just become winners, dare I say it champions.

Here's what happened.  For six innings the M's nursed a one-run, 1 to 0 lead fueled my Austin Nola's first major league home run.  Pitching on both sides was strong but after Carisiti's open, Milone was pulled after five scoreless innings.  He'd only thrown 84 pitches and seemed fine in the sixth, but Servais had a reason, however mysterious, and only added to the suspense by bringing in the ever-unreliable Cory Gearrin.

I have no animus towards Gearrin, but he is just awful.  I dread seeing him pitch and he quickly validated my fears.  In Gearrin-like style he got two quick strikes on Chirinos then, in fulfillment of my total lack of confidence, walked him!  He does get a 3-6 fielder's choice, gives up a stolen base and lets Marisnick single to tie the game.  Another stellar third of an inning.

Time for a pitching change... it's Austin Number Two, Austin Adams.  He's shown some good stuff lately and is unafraid to throws nasty slider in any sort of situation.  But he's pitched a lot lately and he is not sharp, walking Springer in five pitches.  Time to face Altuve.  Ball, ball, ball.  3 and 0 to this guy who routinely beats the Ms.  Sensing his moment, Altuve is not taking.  He hits into a contact play out at home.  And then, as if it's what you just do, he struck out Bregman on three pitches.

Adams' intensity was impressive.  He came off that mound roaring like the winner he is and the winner this team is going to be if Adams has anything to do with it.