G22 | low on K's today

M's 3 | White Sox 6

In the second game yesterday, the offense was explosive and the pitching was nearly shut out. Sort of the reverse today ... the pitching sort of exploded and while not shut out, the bats where shut down. Definitely not EriK and the pen's best day...

“Rob Johnson threw two guys out trying to steal one inning, Wladimir Balentien made a great catch in left field to save me another time,” Bedard said. “I held them to one run for a while, but I just wasn’t pitching well.”

“I tried to get out of it with a breaking ball, but they got the ball in the air and got the runs home to tie it,” Kelley said.

On the rosier side ...
~Beltre broke out a bit (you knew it was just a matter of time) with a 4 for 4 day including an RBI double
~Junior also had a double of the 2 RBI variety
~Nice catch Wladdy!!!

They head home for an off-day on Thursday and then play host to the 'phants over the weekend.

G21 | The Felix Show NEVER gets old

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

M's 9 | White Sox 1

And then you add a little (or a LOT) of offense and it gets REALLY fun!!!

(OK, it would have been nice if just a couple of those runs could have come in the first game, but, oh well - splittin' the DH, especially on the road, is what you expect - still a chance to win the series tomorrow!)

FeliKKKKKKKKK...
8.0IP - 4H - 0ER - 1BB - 9K

"That was outstanding," Hernandez, now 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA, said of his team's 19-hit attack in the nightcap. "It was good. We got good defense and they gave me run support."

Just about everyone joined the hit parade...
Endy coming back down to earth, but I think we'll take Russells' 5-for5 night and Yuni's 5 RBI's ;-)

And the "D" looking strong again...
2 DPs and a couple of nice OF catches

Skip pretty pleased about the "state of the staff" (something that isn't always the case after a DH)...

"To be able to get 16 innings out of your starting pitchers in a doubleheader that can really blow your bullpen up, is outstanding," M's manager Don Wakamatsu said.

G20 | Jaku on his game - bats, not so much

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

M's 1 | White Sox 2

Obviously, didn't get to see/ hear any of this first game of the double-header ~ early start in Chicago.
But, as impotent as the offense was, I can't help but be a little giddy and down-right impressed at Chris's performance...

8.0IP - 2H - 2ER - 1BB - 4K
against a decent hitting team, on the road and with only 88 pitches!

Jiminey!
We'd take that everyday and twice on Sunday from our ace, let alone a fill-in guy slotted 5th due to injury.

Way-to-go, Chris!!!

G19 | Their Jared was better than our Jarrod today

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M's 0 | Angels 8

a LOT better...
Well, you figured it was just a matter of time that Jarrod would regress a bit and the Halos bats would come alive.
Unfortunately for the M's, both happened on the same day.
(actually, the bat thing started yesterday, but since the M's won, that doesn't count ;-)

Now they are off to the Windy City ...
and hoping the weather cooperates for baseball (cuz the M's are not scheduled to return this season)

G18 | Branyan Blast - again!

AP Photo/Mark Avery

M's 9 | Angels 8

Just a liiiiiitttle too close for comfort...
Frankly, I think I prefer the 1-0 variety (at least that way you know the pitching is in command) but, a WIN is a WIN and I'll take it!

It was all offense, all the time tonight (on both sides) but the M's hang on by the skin of their teeth to give Carlos his first victory in over a year. Also nice to see the "D" playing like we know they can.

SWEEP would be SWEET ~ but the fact that the series win is already in the bag is the important thing.
(first time since 2006 that the M's have taken a series against the Halos in Anaheim)

G17 | Hushed Halos

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M's 8 | Angels 3

See! whadiditelya?!?!

The offense was bound to start clicking at some point ...
and where better than in enemy Anaheim?!?

Russell is BACK and his back is just fine ~ thank you very much!
2 for 3 with a home run, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI and 2 walks

Branyan's swing had been fine the past few days, while his running was taking its time rounding back into form. But whether it was Branyan at the plate, or on the basepaths, his presence appeared to jump-start a Mariners offense that had gone missing in action the previous seven days.

"That was the last thing to come, running at full speed," Branyan said after his homer and double helped ignite a 17-hit attack by the Mariners. "I don't know why. You would think swinging a bat puts more stress on your back than running. But I went out early today and ran some and ran probably 50 or 60 percent. And then when I was running the bases, I didn't even think about it and felt fine all night."

AP Photo/Mark Avery

And I KNEW Adrian would start comin' 'round...
a double, a run scored, an RBI and a walk


AP Photo/Mark Avery

And Jose not too shabby either...
3 for 4 with a run scored, and RBI and a walk

Can't forget the man on the mound...
(whom we have nearly started taking for granted - and that's a GOOD thing!)
EriKKKKKK with another quality start 6.2IP - 5H - 3ER - 6K ... and my personal favorite ... ZERO BB


AP Photo/Mark Avery

And then there was Shawn Kelly...
just throwing up more ZEROS across the board!


M's have a good streak going, have started every series off with a W

:-)

Remember the "D" and find the bats | Home Highlights

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Halos & Tiggers & Rays (5-4)

ROSY RAPTURE

The Mariners won...
~ the 1st game of every series
~ two of three series at home
~ five of nine games at home

Ichiro back, still showing a flair for the dramatic...
~ lead-off hit in his debut, and later in the game ~ a GRAND SLAM
~ lead-off home run in the last game of the stand ~ that would be the ONLY run of the game

Endy picked up at home where he left off on the road...
~ 1HR - 12B - 3RBI - 5BB
~ one of the few non-pitchers w/o an error

Overall offense struggling but, bottom-averages are still team contributors...
~ Jose team leader in RBI
~ Franklin team leader in runs scored
~ Junior team leader in BB
~ Adrian team leader in doubles, 2nd in runs scored

You just KNOW that, especially Adrian and Jose, are going to hit eventually ~ just look at the back of their baseball card

AND - - - M's may be hitting a paltry .250 as a team, but they DO lead the league in BA w/RISP



PALLID PONDERINGS

To say the D has been a disappointment is an understatement....
NINE errors on this home stand alone that accounted for FIVE unearned runs ~ TOTALLY unacceptable (the worst culprit? ... Yuni) Hope Wak gets a handle on that REAL quick.

The bats really need to pick it up...
Started out great, scoring 15 runs in the first series with the Halos, then only 8 v.s the Tigers and 7 against the Rays - for a total of 30 runs scored compared to 34 runs allowed.

Some minor, nagging injuries factored in to the bleaker side of things...
Russell tweaked his back on a sliding in safe at home in the first game with the Tigers. Then, Mike tweaked his back on a check swing in the second game against the Rays (after going 3 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI) which then necessitated Jamie Burke to play 2B in the last game of that series (since BOTH Russ and Mike were out)

G16 | The FeliKKKKKKK and Ichiro Show

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M's 1 Rays 0


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Because of Felix's awesome outing, Ichrio's home run, on the second pitch of the ball game, was the only offense the M's needed to record their 10th W of the young season. Felix was able to hang in despite a comedy of errors behind him ( M's were down BOTH their regular AND backup first basemen so Jamie Burke was pressed into service - hey, he's pitched, so why not? ;-) Anyway, not just for that, but M's D has been sorely lacking the past several games. Methinks that Felix is growing up and growing into the ace we always thought he could be.


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

G15 | Jaku down to earth

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M's 3 Rays 9

the good...

• two defensive gems by the new OF's - a great catch at the wall by Endy and a peg throw for an OF A by Franklin
• Jose's 3-run jack (maybe it's the one that will get him started)
• M's still sporting the 2nd best ERA in all of baseball (best in the AL)

the bad...

• Jaku just didn't have it tonight
• Mike tweeked his back on a check swing (reported as muscle spasm, so hopefully not serious)
• the offense struggling mightily - still leading in BA w/RISP, but 2nd to last in AL in total BA

the ugly...

• 2 more errors (Adrian and Yuni) ... don't like to see them mounting
• a popup dropping in the triangle that is no man's land
• dead last in the AL in OBP

G14 | it's MISTER Washburn to you!

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M's 4 | Rays 2


AP Photo/Ted S. Warren


What a start to the season for Jarrod ...
three starts, three wins and a sparkling 1.71ERA
Tonight, the Rays got two in the first and were shutout from there...
JW striking out NINE - what's THAT all about?!?
What ever you're putting in your Wheaties Jarrod - don't stop now!



AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Junior gets things started with a bunt...
He was safe at first on an error and Endy advanced to second and would later score on a single by Sweeney.



AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Speaking of Sweeney...
Mike with a NIGHT! 3 for 3 w/ one RBI and one run scored.


Mariners liking "firsts"...
They have one the first game of every series so far.

G13 | 1st series loss

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M's 2 | Tigers 8

Nothing much better than spending an afternoon at the ballpark with Dad. Well, okay, spending an afternoon at the ballpark with Dad when the game results in a win for the home town team ~ THAT is the best. But, nonetheless, always good to have quality dad/daughter time :-)



As for the game itself...
I guess we knew the M's were bound to lose a series. Since their worst lost so far happened to coincide with their first series loss, I think they got enough "bad stuff" out of the way. Time to enjoy a day off at home (something it seems they didn't have too many of last season) concentrate on the positives so far and reflect upon and adjust the negatives.

starter...
Unfortunately, Carlos wasn't able to build upon his decent start vs. the Halos and recorded zero strikeouts. But, he did at least stay in through six and didn't walk a batter.

bullpen...
~Mark gave up his first earned run.
~Miggy was actually not bad, although Yuni didn't do him any favors by booting TWO double-play balls which eventually led to THREE unearned runs.
~Shawn bent a bit, but was able to maintain his 0.00ERA

defense...
~already mentioned Yuni - VERY disappointing. Not that it would have necessarily made a difference in the game (as the Tiggers were four runs ahead at the time) but here's hoping he can "focus on his focus" as he seems to lose it from time-to-time.
~positives were THREE DP's and a couple of AWESOME plays by Adrian
(unfortunately, the Tigger's firstbaseman - Inge - had a couple great plays himself)

offense...
Plenty of hits today (congrats to Ronnie on his first homer!)..
just not the RISP stuff we have become accustomed to in this young season.

sometimes, you gotta tip your cap...
The young Tiger starter is definitely worthly of a cap tip!

"He looked like he belonged there. He still looks a little green at times but you expect that," Tigers' manager Jim Leyland said. "This is a project. Obviously the stuff is there, so we'll take it from there and see what happens."

:::

"It's pretty special for me to be here right now," said Porcello, Detroit's first-round draft pick in 2007. "You're here, but it doesn't matter your age. You've got a job to do."

Off day tomorrow and then...

Bring on the Rays!

G12 | pitching, pitching and more pitching

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M's 0 | Tigers 2

Well, first game that I didn't see or hear even a pitch ... family activities and such.

So, I can only go be what I see in the box score and frankly, despite the loss, at least on the pitching side of things, not too shabby.
I think we'd take 6.0IP - 7H - 2ER - 2BB - 8K from EriKKKKKKKK anytime.

And the bullpen, tonight consisting of Corky and White , threw up some more zeros.

OK, so the offense was a bit anemic, but apparently vs. Jackson, that's nothing new...
this was his third career start vs. the M's and his third win w/ an ERA of 0.40

Well, at least all the other ALW teams lost today.
A win tomorrow and the M's can still claim to have not lost a series.

~ just heard something on the postgame show about a bad throw by Ichiro ...
a rarity that hopefully will remain so

G11 | a tale of two right-handers...

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M's 6 | Tigers 3

early on, Felix not lookin' so royal...
tough 2nd inning where three runs scored, even though there was only one hard-hit ball. His pitch count up, things were looking bleak. Little did we know, we would see 'the K-ing' re-emerge. Yes indeedy, Felix has grown up. He stayed in there, gutted it out and when the M's took the seemingly improbable lead, you just had a feeling there was no way they would surrender it.


AP Photo/Ted S. Warren


unlucky 13 for Verlander...
Talk about a game turnin' on a dime! Verlander was CRUISING through 4 innings (throwing only 13 pitches in each of the 1st, 2nd and 4th. And then, in the 5th, the wheels would come off. He threw 28 pitches and gave up 5 runs after throwing 28 pitches in the 5th


AP Photo/Ted S. Warren


somebody found the "go" switch in the dugout and flipped it...
That's what it seemed like anyway. I don't think I've ever seen a team make such a fast and effective adjustment. Their newly acquired patience be-damned, if Verlander was going to blow 'em away, they were going to go up there hacking. And boy, did it pay off! Adrian led off with a double and they were off to the races - three straight hits, a sacrifice, a bunt single, another single a walk and a wild pitch all added up to a 5-run 5th inning. 't was a beautiful thing.


AP Photo/Ted S. Warren


no rolaides required...
nice night of relief ~ 3.0IP - 2H - 1BB - 4K
not only that, but then there was the pitch count/ratio ~ 45 pitches, 32 for strikes
yowsa - keep it up boys!


oh, and a litttle insurance in the 8th...
Adrian with a double - and get this - ready for shades of 95?
Junior scores from first!!! I just caught the reply on SportsCenter (was going too crazy at the actual game to notice) ... As Adrian pulled up to the bag at 2nd, he was mocking Junior's high stepping to the plate and then Carlos checked his pulse once he got to the dugout :-)


triple-digits...
as I stood cheering Brandon on to his 3rd save of this young season in the 9th inning at The Safe, two thoughts crossed my mind...
~ his blood sugar must be SPOT on tonight
~ who needs J.J.?


Oh, there was one other thought ... "This is FUN!"

:-)

G10 | no sweep for you...

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M's 1 | Angels 5

Chris calm, cool and collected in starting debut...
Really couldn't have asked for more of a spot starter out of the pen (RRS was placed on the DL and Jakubauskas took his spot in the rotation) 5.1IP - 5H - 2ER - 0BB


Ichiro picks up where he left off...
Breaking the hits record for a Japanese born player (that he tied last night) in his second AB.
3086 hits (between Japan and Seattle) ... congratulations, Ichi!

The eight-time All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder broke the record of Isao Harimoto with a characteristically sharp single in the fourth, a one-hop smash into right field off Saunders (2-1) for his 3,086th hit. Harimoto, who played 23 seasons in Japan, smiled and flashed a thumbs-up sign from the box seats. Ichiro tipped his batting helmet to the cheering home crowd.

"Mr. Harimoto, in 1995 - 14 years ago! - told me, 'The only guy who could break my record is you.' For him to have that vision of the future, for him to say that to a player that has only one year under his belt, I'm amazed by that," Suzuki said through his interpreter. "I'm the only one he's told that to.

ELAINE THOMPSON / AP


Saunders was stellar - Roy, not so much...
M's were not - M's only muster up 4 hits vs. Joe.
It definitely wasn't Roy's night - he now has an ERA where none existed before ;-(


AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

G9 | a night for reverance and records

.

KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES

M's 11 | Angels 3

I TOLD you they were the new Mystique and Aura :-)

junior, still has that flair for the dramatic...
Figures that Junior would hit his 400th homer as a Mariner on a night when his number was reversed ~ all major leaguers honored Jackie Robinson today by wearing #42 (Jr. was the first ever to do so)

It's been 12 years since Ken Griffey Jr. first donned the No. 42 on an April 15 game to honor the memory of Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier on that date in 1947.

Now every player in the major leagues is wearing No. 42 today for the first time by order of commissioner Bud Selig, an event that brings a smile to Griffey's face.

"It was just my way of saying thank you," he said Wednesday in the Mariners' clubhouse. "My way of giving back. I had no idea it would turn into something like this."

JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES


apparently, Ichiro has no residual effects from the ulcer...
In his season debut (after returning from his first ever DL stint) he had a base hit in his second AB and then stole a base. In the 7th inning - he hit a grand slam which brought his career hit total (between Japan and Seattle) to 3085 which ties him with Isao Harimoto (in attendance tonight).


JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES


and let's not forget Jarrod (ours, not theirs ;-)
Another absolutely SOLID outing for Washburn ~ 6.0IP - 4H - 2ER - 0BB - 4K
And, he FINALLY gets some run support!


Miggy aside, the bullpen was lights out ~ again!
Kelley and Lowe threw combined for 3.0 innings of 2H, 2K, scoreless relief.


and then there's the HOT BAT ...
Moving to the 2-spot now that Ichi is back seemed to suit Endy just fine, not only did he bump his average to .405 - he hit his first homer as a Mariner!


Oh, and safety squeezes are alway fun ;-)
Thanks to Franklin (the bunter) and Rob Johnson (the scorer)

the bad news...

• RRS goes on the 15-day DL (as Ichiro comes off) due to tricep tendinitis
  
• Kenji injures hamstring after a base hit in tonights game

G8 | bunting (around the park and at the plate) the order of the day

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Clifford DesPeaux/seattlepi.com

M's 3 Angels 2

WAY to GO ~ Carlos!

Whodathunk, after last season and his first start? But, he showed that (as Wak has contended all along) he cares... “It is a big step for me,” Silva said. “We’ve been working so hard. Two weeks after the (2008) season, I started working toward this.”

Wakamatsu hopes the fans will take Silva’s effort as well.

“I don’t think fans understand how much this guy really cares and how much he wants to pitch well in this park and pitch well for the Mariners,” Wakamatsu said. “He showed that tonight.” “A lot of people talked to me,” Silva chuckled, mentioning Wakamatsu, pitching coach Rick Adair, and “our mental guy” (Steve Hecht). “That’s one of the things we needed last year, especially in the hard moments. When everything is good, you don’t need anybody. When the stuff is hard is when you need people next to you. And these people here have been great to me. They want me to do good and have success.”

Endy not only continues his hot streak, tutors Yuni on bunting...

"He's been a little shy about making the decisions (on when to bunt)," said Chavez, a 31-year-old veteran who has kept himself in the bigs by thinking little. "I've been trying to help him get confidence because I know he's not used to it. Last year I believe he only bunted once all season, so I'm just trying to get him to feel comfortable to do it. It's taken a little while."

Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com

And boy did it pay off BIG! Not only was it a beautiful bunt that easily moved Franklin to 3rd ... the throwing error by Shields allowed him to score and the M's to win the game in the 10th!

Clifford DesPeaux/seattlepi.com

All-in-all a grand day that could hardly have been scripted better.

He who built "the house" returns...

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all roads to Safeco Field welcome Junior...
There were trucks passing by with "Hit it Here, Griffey!", hand held "We've missed you, Junior!" banners and this creative embellishment among road construction materials...




the tradition continues...
My mother-in-law and I have lost count, or can't pinpoint the actual "first date"...
but we know we shared at least one Opening Day date in the Kingdome.




in our seats in plenty of time to take in the ceremonies...
From a dance troop dancing with the moose, to the WBC flag procession, to a moment of silence in remembrance of those passed, to the Gold Glove presentation, to the Make-a-Wish boy who christened the base-paths of the 2009 season, to HoF broadcaster Dave Niehaus reciting an 'ode to Safeco Field poem to commemorate our summer home's 10th anniversary ~ we enjoyed all the pomp and circumstance.




the love fest was loud, it was long and it was often...
Anticipation built, as the announcements were made - first the coaches, trainers, etc. as they stood on the first baseline, then one-by-one the players ran out of the tunnel onto the red carpet. Junior would bat third as the DH ~ and the place erupted. It would happen again the first time he stepped to the plate, after he collected his first hit and in each subsequent at bat.






just a catchy slogan, or a concise description of reality?
So far, so good. Looking forward to see if it can be sustained.




ceremony under an extended roof, baseball under blue skies...
A bit chilly (48 degrees at first pitch) but the sun was out and the Emerald City simply sparkled.




how long will the current flag order remain?
Mariners
Angels
Athletics
Rangers



Blue Jays
Orioles
Rays
Yankees
Red Sox





Finally, LET's ....

ahhhh ~ so good to be back at 1st and Edgar!

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the tradition continues...
I have attended the past 11 or so Mariner home openers with my wonderful mother-in-law, and this year is no different.

A more recent tradition, is to take the entire day off (at near insistance from my boss no less, who is also pretty special ;-) and spend the morning at a spa for a facial and other various pampering. That is my plan again today (though I do have to stop in at work for a meeting).

another opening day is dawning ...
Our beloved M's are off to an unepectedly great start. There's bound to be some bumps along the way and the 'experts' really don't expect them to contend. But, funny things happen in baseball - as long as they have their health and continue to exude confidence in their competance - anything is possible.

Back this evening for a recap of the Opening Day experience in general and the game in particular....

PLAY BALL!!!

Early Road Warriors | Road Reflections

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Minny & Oaktown (5-2)

OK, it's early.
But it is nice to remember how if feels to have a winning road trip :-)

• 4 game split w/Minny ~ outscored the Twins 18-13
• 3 game sweep in OakTown ~ outscored the A's 14-9
• and one shut-out in each series
  

Winning is better than losing, right?
So, I will enjoy it while it lasts. Funny thing is, I see no reason why it can't last. Provided everyone stays relatively healthy ~ it's not too hard to envision a fun summer of baseball....

• the defensive improvement was nearly a given ~ so far, it has not disappointed
• we were told the offense would lean toward the fundamentals and be aggressive ~ CHECK ~ (plus, the M's lead the league in BA w/RISP .381, something they struggled mightly w/last season)
• some were a bit (OK, aLOT) unsure about the bullpen. 't was worry for naught ~ the M's lead the AL in saves (4) and are 2nd in both ERA (2.45) and BAA (.154). Brandon, as mentioned previously, is still building up his strength, but Roy, Shawn, David, Mark, Miggy and Chris are getting it done!
• as for the starters ~ it has been my contention all along that if the starters were solid, the M's could contend. Erik took a HUGE step today toward that end. We KNOW Felix is cabable, Wash had one awesome start to build upon, so that leaves Carlos and RRS ~ remains to be seen if they will be able to step up (or at least give enough innings with a strong defense behind them and an offense that can keep pace)

Fun summer, indeed!

G7 | Whew!!!

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M's 1 A's 0

gotta love a pitcher's duel...
I certainly do - especially when the good guys win :-)
THAT was the Erik we expected to see LAST year - here's hoping he can keep this up! What was MOST encouraging is that he actually pitched into the 9th! He's never done that as a Mariner (and rarely ever).

EriKKKKKKK allowed only three hits and one walk to go with those seven strikeouts ~ absolutely awesome!

Kudos definitely go to the A's starter (Cahill) who kept the M's hit-less through 6 1/3 when Beltre singled and Sweeney doubled him in for what would be the only run of the game.

pen comes through again...
Brandon wasn't available, due to his pitch count yesterday and the fact that he's still making up for lost time in ST. Enter David Aardsma ~ who made it interesting (ala Sasaki or Eddie) ~ but he got the job done and notched his second save!

And now, finally, they head home for an off-day tomorrow and then...
Opening Day at Safteco Field on Tuesday!!!

Mariner Matters | 4.12

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Felix on the team after his sub-par start in Oakland...

Surveying the clubhouse scene around him, long forgotten in this latest Mariners victory, starting pitcher Felix Hernandez leaned over and whispered an observation.

"I think we're going to be better this year than everybody thinks," he said.

AP Photo/Ben Margot

Jose thinks it's a "beautiful group"....

"Everybody's talking about 'team' right now,'' he said. "We're running a lot, especially first to third. Moving the runner. We do little things to win the game. Play baseball right. Move the runner, bunting, like today in the ninth inning.

"We've got a beautiful group right now. In spring training, everybody was happy, everybody's together right now. Everybody's a teammate. We go to the dugout before the game and say 'Let's get a win, boys! Let's get a win! Let's play hard, let's play right.' Even if we get a win or a loss, let's play the game right.''

AP Photo/Ben Margot

Wak, liking the dislike...

“One thing I heard when we left Minneapolis was that the Twins were happy to see us go, and I’ll take that as a compliment,” Wakamatsu said. “We want to be a team others don’t like playing. That means doing a lot of things right.”


AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

G6 | see-saw in OakTown

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AP Photo/Ben Margot

M's 8 | A's 5

felix struggles, but bullpen steps up...
Despite not having his best stuff (and giving up 5 ER) Felix became the 2nd youngest pitcher to record 600 strikeouts (behind Doc Gooden) today. More importantly, the bullpen was able to keep it close. Miguel, Mark and Brandon combined for 4.0IP - 2 hits- 2BB -2K and Brandon earned his second save.

oh, that O...
Russell hit his second home run and Jose hit a double. What was really nice to see is the 12 hits sprinkled up and down the lineup. They certainly have been gettin' 'em on, gettin' em over and gettin' 'em in so far this season - seems they have a TON of two-run singles. LOVE it.

despite Jose's error, D looking sharp...
Super DP in the 8th saved Mark from a bases-loaded, no out situation.

little tid-bit from the pre-game show...
Shannon interviewed Tui (he's the only player yet to get in a game) and asked about what it has been like for him to be with the team from the beginning of the season (as opposed to a callup last season) and also how he thinks he will react when his name is called on Opening Day at Safeco Field. He said [paraphrased] "Actually, I more looking forward to seeing the reaction of the fans when Griffey is announced."

Nice to have clinched a winning road trip :)

G5 | 't wernt pretty ~ but it was a dubya

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AP Photo/Ben Margot
(I always thought Yuni had an extremely level swing - this shot sure shows it off!)

M's 5 | A's 4

not the hyphenator's night...
Ryan really struggled from beginning to quick end ~ 82 pitches in only 3.1 IP He actually didn't give up any runs and recorded one strikeout, but loaded the bases three differnt times (four walks and one hit-by-pitch will do that).

5 in 2nd...
walk, single, single, single, double, single = 5 runs but that would be all she wrote.

pen magic...
Roy's hudini act in the 6th - got Kurt Suzuki to ground out w/the bases loaded

fun firsts...
~ Jak gets his first major league WIN
~ Aardsma gets his first major league SAVE
~ Kelley makes his major league debut ... 1.0IP - 1H - 2K

Nick Adenhart ... a REAL Angel now :-(

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Nick Adenhart
August 24, 1986 ~ April 7, 2009


words just can't express ...
On the bus on my way to work this morning I was perusing the baseball message boards on my BlackBerry, as per usual. I saw the initial rumor about the accident on the AngelsWin message board. I kept reading the updates and before I arrived at my destination, audibly gasped when I saw that the worst was confirmed.

victims...
Nick Adenhart was a victim (two others died, one other critically injured) of a fatal car crash. The person responsible was apparently driving drunk with a suspended liscense and fled the scene, but was later apprehended.

life, baseball, perspective ...
I have always made a point about the fact that I never root for injuries/illness for any team, as I want my team to engage their competition when both are at 100%. Obviously, this tragedy is at a whole other level than an elbow sprain or a hamstring tear. Twenty-two years old ~ baseball star or college student or ditch digger ~ is WAY too young to die. I have a daughter who is two years older than Nick and one two years younger. Sometimes things seem to happen in such a bass-ackward order.

rivalries be damned ...
I can't imagine the shock and sorrow Nick's friends and family must be feeling, including that of his extended family in the Halo organization and all their fans. I have been moved to tears more than once as I have read the various accounts and stories of Nick. Some things just transcend sports rivalries.

Jim Adenhart walked to the
empty pitcher’s mound in Angels Stadium where his son spent the last night of
his life. He spent several quiet moments there, briefly covering his eyes with
one hand.

I happened to hear a gentleman from Nick's hometown in Maryland call into a national sports show this evening and said that his small town is just devastated by the news of his death. His kids played little league with Nick and the guy who was his catcher in high school lives right across the street. He said folks were going in droves to the high school baseball diamond to leave flowers, remembrances and just gather together.

My sincere, heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all involved.
I just keep hearing Billy Joel in my head ~ Only the good die young.

R.I.P. Nick

Some other M's fans expressed there condolences here...

p.s. Nick's next start would have been on April 14 ... at Safeco Field

G4 | a shutDOWN shutOUT

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AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

M's 2 | Twins 0

jarrod ~ what a nice sinker you have!
Apparently, Rick Adair gave Wash a few pointers about the pitch ~ certainly seemed to work. Eight innings of shut-out baseball in the Metrodome ain't too shabby!
He only surrendered 5 hits and one walk, while striking out four.

offense just enough...
Gotta tip your cap to the opposing pitcher whose line matched Jarrod's almost exactly, except in the run column. But, the offense was able to do just enough and then add some insurance in the ninth.

get back up on that horse!
No doubt there was some serious acid churning on the field and in the dugout as Brandon pitched to the first batter of the ninth inning ~ a walk on four straight pitches. But, then came two strikeouts and a flyout ~ works better than Malox, Tums and Rolaids combined!
defense just continues to impress
Yowsa - can that Franklin play center field! And Cedeno made a great play at third (Adrian DH'ing today) to Sweeney at first (who did some pretty impressive splits to stay on the bag). The web gems just keep piling up - I LOVE it!

split the four-gamer
Gotta love that - .500 on the road, in the Metrodome? I'll take it!

G3 | Slim Silva

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AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

M's 5 | Twins 6

two bad pitches
Well, that's what Wak said re: Carlos's performance tonight. He said that the two home runs were change-ups which, in his opinion, is Carlos's worst pitch. hmmmm.... I feel a "catcher's meeting" coming on...

bright-light jakubauskas and lowe
Yowsa - what a debut! Chris pitched 2 full innings - 2 strikeouts, 2 flyouts, 1 grounder, a hit an intentional walk and they a pick-off to second base for the third out of the 7th inning.

Mark looked sharp (just like we saw when he first came up late in the season 2 years ago) a fly out and 2K's ... if these guys can keep this up, things could get interesting.

and what about that offense?!?
16 runs in the first three games? I think most would take that. But what's really fun about it is that it seems balanced between small ball and power ball. We are seeing that they are capable. Another 2 homeruns (Jose and Branyan) and Endy continues to manufacture (SB and SH)

G2 | all was rosy ~ until that elusive 3rd out in the 9th

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AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid

M's 5 | Twins 6

There were SO many great things in this ballgame ~ it's hard to believe they lost :-(

EriKKKKKKKK
He appeared to be the pitcher everyone thought he was. He was absolutely dominant, allowing only two singles through four (and at one point, retiring 10 -in-row) and recording five strikeouts. It was looking like Erik would cruise to his first ever win against the Twins (the only AL club he has beat) but then came the 5th. Despite eventually striking out the side, a lead-off triple, a hit batsman, a steal and a couple singles were enough to get three Twins runs on the board.

manufacturing plant
~single, double, sac-fly (1)
~single, steal, walk, single (1)
~single, single, single (2)
~single, sac, single (1)
Endy is certainly filling in well for Ichiro ... 3 more hits and 2rbi tonight. Joh, Jr and Jose the were the only batters w/o hits, althought they did combine for 3 BB

no dp's
But the defense was solid including an awesome snare by Yuni ~ definite WebGem!

bullpen
Roy and David combined for 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings with 3 strikeouts and all was looking splendid ... then came the ninth. Brandon recorded 2 fairly quick outs (and was hitting 97 on the gun) and then walked the bases loaded. Miggy came in after Brandon was gassed from throwing so many pitches and promptly gave up two singles, the lead and the game.

G1 | Felix and Jr and Franklin, Oh My!

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AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt

M's 6 | Twins 1

scary moments
...in the first inning when Felix turned his ankle, but he gutted it out and more than earned his first W of the season.

"Felix set the tone in a big way tonight," said Don Wakamatsu after winning his first big-league game as a manager. "He pitched with passion tonight. We talked about that with him in spring training. We wanted him to come out and pitch with some heart. He showed that tonight. He was phenomenal."

but other than that

....this game was all anyone could possibly hope for and more!

• Felix was STELLAR
• Runs came via manufacturing ~ sorta new to Jr, not so to Frankie, as well as au naturale ~ sorta new to Frankie, not so to Jr (his 8th Opening Day home run)
  
• Miggy was solid in the ninth
  
• Defense was crisp

09 ~ the year he came home....

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AP

And so it begins....
The season that will be forever known as "the year that Griffey came back".
Well, absent of miracle occurrence surmounting the fact ;)

In case you missed it, here's a rerun of the post that birthed this blog.


And, here are some other links to recent writings re: Junior's return...


KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES


Ken Griffey Jr. returns to Seattle a grown man | Larry Stone

Griffey's firm belief is that horseplay and ribbing in spring fosters meaningful dialogue when issues inevitably crop up.

"It's all about getting together, making good friendships, and carrying that onto the field," he said. "It's trust — like, hey, if he can get on me, and I can get on him, we can talk later if there's something I need to bring up. Instead of not talking to somebody, and all of a sudden you need to confront him on something. If you don't have that friendship, they'll look at you like you're crazy.

"It's a little different with me, because I have 20 years. People look at it a little differently than someone with four or five. But I'm not going to be the guy to embarrass somebody. I've never done that. If I have something to say, I'll pull them aside. Because that's the way I'd want someone to do it to me.

"We can agree to disagree, or come to some sort of understanding. But there's not 15 guys trying to take sides. It's just two guys. No one wants to be backed into a corner. First thing they do is come out swinging."

After one game this spring, a weary looking Russ Branyan entered the clubhouse.

"Where do you find the energy to lift after these games," he asked Griffey.

"You just got to dig deep. Dig deep," Griffey responded.

LISA BLUMENFELD / GETTY IMAGES

Age 39 in baseball - is it good or bad? | Larry Stone
Favorite memories about Ken Griffey, Jr. | The Seattle Times
Ken Griffey, Jr. trivia | The Seattle Times
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