The ball got up in the lights and he dropped it, or whatever. That kind of gave them a little life. That's when they started to turn it on. You can say that again. There was even spring in Paul O'Neill's step and that is saying a lot.
Instant conclusions are always dangerous.
But the one drawn at this juncture of the American League Championship Series is this looks like one of those rare years when a National League team will win the World Series. Maybe the Mariners are good enough to overcome Martin's mistake, which paved the way to a seven-run eighth inning. But the Yankees' 7-1 victory in Wednesday's Game 2 turned up some serious heat on manager Lou Piniella and his wild cards. Predictably Seattle took consolation in having split the first two games at Yankee Stadium. That prospect leaves little margin for error for the Mariners this weekend.