Pitching dooms M's again in loss to Angels

Pitching dooms M's again in loss to Angels

Starting effort by Villone wasted by bullpen as Anaheim homers late and often to post victory

By Kirby Arnold

Everett Herald

SEATTLE - As Rafael Soriano turned hitters into swing-and-miss pretzels during a simulated game Saturday afternoon, manager Bob Melvin couldn't help but think of what the Seattle Mariners have missed this season.

"When he was healthy, he had an impact, especially late in the game," Melvin said.

With Soriano still not quite ready to rejoin the team because of a bad elbow, a Mariners bullpen that has never quite found its balance this season crumbled again.

After Ron Villone held the Anaheim Angels to two runs in 52/3 innings, he handed the relievers a lead that they gave away in an 8- 4 loss at Safeco Field.

Julio Mateo gave up two runs and Mike Myers three, including two home runs in the seventh inning when the Angels rallied to score five times.

"Villone pitched very well," Melvin said. "He had some energy, he was aggressive. We just got beat up in the pen."

The man who benefitted most was Angels starter Aaron Sele, the former Mariner who is having his finest hours since arm problems two years ago. Sele held the Mariners to five hits and two earned runs in six innings, and raised his record to 6-0.

Villone, working under the keen eyes of scouts in the stands _ the pitching-needy Philadelphia Phillies are taking a hard look at him _ gave the Mariners all he could in his third start this season.

He held the Angels to six hits and one earned run in those 52/3 innings, having been nicked only by Darrin Erstad's sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and Robb Quinlan's solo home run in the sixth.

Later in the sixth, Villone hit Adam Kennedy with two outs and a runner on base.

Melvin then went to the bullpen, and things changed in a hurry.

Mateo got the final out of the sixth but walked Chone Figgins to start the seventh and gave up Quinlan's RBI double that tied the score 3-3.

Melvin turned to left-handed Myers to face lefty Erstad, and the move backfired in a big way. Erstad cracked a two-run homer to right field, Bengie Molina singled, and Josh Paul pulled a two-run homer into the Mariners' bullpen in left. The Angels led 7-3.

Angels 8 Mariners 4

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