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In the clutch M's Buhner talks about timely hit
Jay Buhner's 400-foot solo home run in the fourth inning snapped a 2-2 tie and put the Mariners ahead to stay, beating the host Chicago White Sox 5-2. The win gives the M's a 2-0 lead in the American League Division Series which now heads to Seattle. If the Mariners win Game 3, they'll advance to the ALCS. CNNSI.com's John Giannone talked with Buhner shortly after Wednesday's victory. John Giannone: Take us through that at-bat, Jay. It was a 2-2 count against Chicago's Mike Sirotka. There was no doubt about the homer. Jay Buhner: He had thrown me a couple of cutters in and [I] was fouling them off and he hung me a curve ball. I was able to make some good contact on it. Giannone: Coming into the series, so much was said about Chicago's offense leading the major leagues in runs scored. How has your pitching staff, especially the bullpen, been able to keep them in check? Buhner: I think it is just... the biggest thing is we've scored some runs for our pitchers and just give them a little bit of a breather at times. They've made some quality pitches, but I think it has been an overall team effort. I think our defense without a doubt, we've had to get a big pitch or make a big play like today in Mac's [Mark McLemore] play [at second base in the seventh]. We just played a total team game. Our pitching, especially our bullpen which has been our Achilles heel for so many years has come in, it has given confidence in our pitchers that when they do turn it over to them, they are going to shut the door. And that's happened these first two games. Giannine: Now you are one of the guys on the Mariners who knows about overcoming an 0-2 deficit. You guys did it against the Yankees in 1995. How does this team prevent from becoming overconfident heading back to Seattle? Buhner: I think it's overconfident and maybe a little complacent, so we've got to come out and take the game in hand and try to take it in three. The biggest thing is [to] continue to keep doing what we're doing. We're getting some timely hitting, some great pitching and again, it's been a full team effort. And we've got to continue doing that and capitalize on a lot of the little things. Gianonne: Jay, thank you. Buhner: My pleasure. Giannone: Jay Buhner, part of a 9-hit attack with the key blow, moving the Mariners one step closer to the AL Championship Series.
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