The Latest Breaking News from Ty France

SEATTLE — For the first four innings, the Mariners seemed destined to take a step back in their never-ending dance between a winning record and a losing record — call it the mambo of mediocrity.

SEATTLE — Just as the Seattle Mariners were finally starting to build some momentum — in the standings over the past two weeks, and at the plate late Friday — they quickly snapped back to reality at the worst possible moment.

HOUSTON — Two things that shouldn’t happen did and the Mariners suffered a loss that should’ve been a victory and a series win.

HOUSTON — As hitter after hitter found some way to reach base, and the runs began to pile up from their first of the game to three runs to eventually nine runs in a fourth inning that wouldn’t end, the grumbling from 34,737 fans at Minute Maid Park grew louder…

SEATTLE — Best win of the year?

SEATTLE — In the players lounge of the Mariners clubhouse, which rarely gets used for anything other than pregame meetings, a small library, which is used even less, if at all, was installed featuring a collection of books mostly about motivation, self-help, leadership and improvement.

When Jarred Kelenic was acquired by the Mariners from the Mets on Dec. 3, 2018, the halcyon vision began to come into focus immediately:

Another drama-free victory with plenty of offense against the worst team in baseball?

SEATTLE — Having built another lead as sturdy and permanent as a sandcastle, the Cardinals found themselves once again fighting against the tide to chase down what they had lost.

The game was decided in the bottom of the 11th when Julio Rodriguez stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded and his team down a run.

SEATTLE — Left, right. Shift, no shift. Breaking ball, fastball. Home, road.