MARK HARRISON / THE SEATTLE TIMES
on the mound
Another stunning and stellar performance from Mister Fister ... wasted.
Doug pitched EIGHT innings and did not allow the first hit until there was one out in the 6th (a fly ball that would have gone out, if it weren't for "Area 51"). He would end up allowing only three hits, NO runs and NO walks (I heard some crazy stat Rick quoted, I believe it was that Doug went to a 3 ball count on 7 batters, and retired all 7 - amazing).
The DA wasn't able to hold the slim 1-0 lead, but this isn't on him (even though those lead-off base on balls are extremely frustrating). Closers, even great ones, are going to give up a run here and there. Brandon did okay in the 10th, but it seems Mark and Rob were not on the same page at all - singles, a bunt, a wild pitch and passed ballS added up to another 2 runs for the Rangers. It's just a shame that the lack of offense has to manifest itself as pressure on the pitchers and the defense - razor thin margins for error are not very conducive to instilling "confidence in your competence".
The DA wasn't able to hold the slim 1-0 lead, but this isn't on him (even though those lead-off base on balls are extremely frustrating). Closers, even great ones, are going to give up a run here and there. Brandon did okay in the 10th, but it seems Mark and Rob were not on the same page at all - singles, a bunt, a wild pitch and passed ballS added up to another 2 runs for the Rangers. It's just a shame that the lack of offense has to manifest itself as pressure on the pitchers and the defense - razor thin margins for error are not very conducive to instilling "confidence in your competence".
at the plate
Meanwhile, not a lot has changed with the bats - a grand total of 4 Mariner runs scored in this SERIES. Today, only five hits in eleven innings ... one for extra bases (Jose double). The few good swings that were had were "at 'em" balls or long, loud outs. But hey, Figgy got a hit, walked twice and had two stolen bases and scored the M's only run (now, if we could just have more of that from him and from Ichiro - this whole manufacturing thing could work).
leather-works
Already addressed some of the mis-cues ... there also were no DP's turned
They released outfielder Eric Byrnes, whose averaged dropped to .094 (3 for 32) with an 0-for-4 performance Sunday, and optioned Matt Tuiasosopo to Class AAA Tacoma so he could play every day.
To take their roster spots, outfielder Ryan Langerhans and infielder Josh Wilson were selected from Tacoma. Both will be in uniform Tuesday when the Mariners open a three-game series with Tampa Bay.
"Tui didn't do anything wrong," general manager Jack Zduriencik said when reached by phone Sunday evening. "But he's a young player, and playing time is essential for his development. He'll go down and play every day at multiple positions."
I read somewhere that on the replay ' a handful of Rangers players burst out in laughter over his screwed of squeeze bunt'!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the hell he was really doing. Maybe missed a sign, who knows! He'll always be one of my favorite players!
Fister...I don't know how the hell he pulls this off. What was his era his first 5-6 starts? 1.5 or so?! It's not even the era as much as him going so deep into games! I'll take my hat off for him!
As for these moves, they won't do anything on the surface, but is more of a warning shot. The M's still need a lefty in the pen or at least a different righty. Every one in that pen pitches the same!
You have to go tell Wak about that Lisa!
I don't know what Doug is doing - maybe it's something to do with the angle he comes at batters because of his height ... who knows. I just hope he keeps it up and is eventually rewarded with some runs support!
ReplyDeleteAs for the lefty in the pen, I think that's the least of our worries - unless they can hit too ;-)
pen BAA vs. righties = .274
pen BAA vs. lefties = .271