JOAQUIN BENOIT had his worst outing since George W. Bush was president, but, hey, it wasn't his fault. He needs to be handled more gently.
He entered a tie game in the seventh inning on Wednesday afternoon against the Seattle Mariners. He got one out. He was charged with five runs. As far as we know, he is completely healthy.
His was the lastest dumpster fire set in an incredibly flammable bullpen. Afterward, still smoking, Benoit blamed the manager.
"It's not just the pitching staff," he said, "but in the people that run it, too.