After conceding nine consecutive runs in a stunning loss to the Detroit Tigers, a song cruelly thumped through the Seattle Mariners’ clubhouse. It seemed, at the time, like a fitting nod to this fan base’s unending agony.

The same six words repeated:

I’m just a sucker for pain.

Consider where these Mariners were on Wednesday. With an opportunity to dispatch Detroit and advance to their first American League Championship Series since 2001, Dan Wilson’s team unexpectedly stalled. A previously dependable bullpen blew a 3-0 lead, surrendering nine hits and seven runs in less than four innings. Suddenly, Seattle’s season caromed toward a cliff, with Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal set to start a deciding Game 5.

To quote Clubber Lang:

“Prediction? Pain.”

After all, Mariners fans have endured

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