A's closer Octavio Dotel had just walked the first two batters he faced in the ninth inning, throwing seven straight balls at one point.


Up next was Adrian Beltre, with Richie Sexson on deck. It was a very dicey situation for any reliever.


Apparently, not for Dotel.


He relishes facing the fiercest hitters in the tightest moments, and there weren't many more troublesome than this. On this occasion, Dotel showed his mettle by striking out Beltre looking on three pitches and inducing Sexson to ground into a double play, preserving a 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday at the Coliseum.


Dotel's reaction was as demonstrative as the situation itself. He threw his arms in the air, pumping them, then pointed to the sky, thoroughly enjoying the moment.


"I was so excited," he said. "When you don't have nothing and you do your thing, you've got to be excited."

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