Wednesday, September 28, 2011

g162 | too much Gio

Mariners 0 | Athletics

Cute as he is, I'm thinking Anthony is not quite ready for primetime...
though, to be fair, he didn't get much of a shot to right himself (pulled after only two innings)

The M's bats were certainly not much help...
as they were helpless vs Mr. Gonzalez (and shut out for the second night in a row)

the bullpen was looking strong and stellar...
some decent pieces to build upon for next year to make it even more so

the defense made some nice plays...
-a running, leaping catch by Ichrio
-a nifty DP started by Tom to Kyle to Justin
-who says Mike can't play LF? TWO beautiful catches!

AP

Meanwhile, elsewhere around baseball....
at the start of September, Atlanta and Boston each LARGE leads in their respective wildcard races
and, at the start of play tonight...
-Atlanta and St. Louis were tied for the NL Wildcard
-Boston and Tampa Bay were tied for the AL Wildcard
TWO of the FOUR games went into extra innings and, at the end of the day, the teams with the large leads at the start of the month would end up going home and out of the playoffs.

Congrats to the Rays and the Cardinals!

I was pulling for the Braves, hoping Jack Wilson would get into the first post season of his career...

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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

g161 | relief and DEE finish strong, starters and OH - not so much

Mariners 0 | Athletics 7

The main positive of the evening was...
I attended with my good friend Marilyn and, frankly, we talked more than we watched.  Sure, it would have been great if the Mariners had won but, it was one of those nights where just being there, with a good friend, sharing the ambiance and soaking up the last drop of baseball before winter sets in, was enough.  Oh, and getting our photo with Dave...



As for the game itself...
other than the FOUR combined innings of scoreless relief from Jamey, Ceasar, Shawn and Wilhelmsen, there was not much positive.  Blake finished up his season with one of his worst outings - hopefully he'll learn from facing a bit of adversity and go into the off season focusing on the good that came out of this, his first season in the bigs.  The offense only managed FOUR hits (kudos to Cahill) with Kyle's double the only one for extra bases.  The DEE was looking pretty sharp - when they actually got a chance to field as opposed to craning their necks as they watched home runs fly out of the ballpark (OK, there were only two but it seemed like more)

Thanks again to the M's for the great seats in which to enjoy my last visit to The Safe this season!
It's been an interesting one.  Despite the record, there is hope and intrigue going into the off-season, whereas last year there were only questions and unrest.

September wrap-up and season retrospective to be posted in the coming days....


Monday, September 26, 2011

g160 | Viva la Vargas!

Mariners 4 | Athletics 2

REALLY nice to see Jason end on a high note...
I've called him Jekyll and Hyde, as his seemed to be a tale of two seasons - he was either REALLY good or REALLY bad.  Tonight, his last start, was definitely in the REALLY good category.
105 pitches - EIGHT innings - FIVE hits - ONE run - ZERO walks - TEN strikeouts
His win total reached 10 on the season and his innings pitched reached a career high (201).  The 'twist' and adjustments he made late in the season seem to be playing fairly consistent dividends.  Definitely something to build upon next season.

And Brandon nails down SAVE number 37

McCarthy only gave up 8 hits....
FOUR of them were for extra bases
TWO of them home runs
ONE, a solo shot by Miggy, made him the first M's catcher to lead the team in homers and RBI
ONE, a 3-run shot by Justin, gave him the lead in TWO-out hits (despite all the time he's missed)

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Gotta credit those two for those feats but, it obviously doesn't speak really well for the rest of the offense.

A lot of the kids are finishing up strong...
so there is a lot to look forward to for next season and beyond.

For now, I look forward to tomorrow night...
as I'll be attending the game (my last of the season) with a good friend courtesy of the Mariners who sent me Terrace Club seats as a thank you for having my birthday party at Safeco Field!  Can't wait for us to take each other's photos with Dave's statue and, hopefully to watch a great game.

Thanks, Mariners!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

g159 | Jeepers, Sweepers...

Mariners 5 | Rangers 12

I was trying to listen here and there but...
the noise at Century Link was overwhelming my radio :-)

On a day where the M's score 5 runs on 4 home runs...
You'd expect that they would come away with a win.

Problem is, the Rangers scored 12...
The M's used FIVE pitchers and they ALL gave up runs (Furbush and Ruffin with the worst of the damage)

There were also a couple of errors, seems best just to turn the page on this one.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

g158 | relief over-rules frustration for the day

Mariners 3 | Rangers 7

I went from feeling "gotta win this for Felix" to "just win" to "please-oh-please let Felix be OK!"

I was running errands all day so didn't get to see any of the game and, I think I'm actually glad about that.  It was bad enough hearing the call when Felix got hit, not sure I could have taken seeing it live...

Thank heavens it sounds like it's not too serious, "contusion", no fracture.

Credit the BP with 4.2 scoreless innings...
though Jeff Gray allowed two of Felix's inherited runners to score when he committed TWO errors
Shawn Kelley is looking strong since his return from the DL - SEVEN K's in 10.2 innings and no ER

Obviously not their best offensive OR defensive effort...
Wedge described it as "the ugliest game of the year". But at least, for the most part, what little production there was came from the rooks/young ones (hits by Kyle, Dustin, Justin, Adam, Alex - runs by Kyle, Dustin, Alex - RBI by Mike and Justin)

Friday, September 23, 2011

g157 | Rangers rollin'...

Mariners 3 | Rangers 5

Tough go for Anthony...
Rangers at full strength is a pretty tall order.  Hopefully, there was something he could take from it.

Bullpen continues to impress...
Lueke, Wright and Ruffin combined for 4.2 scoreless (M's pen has the 2nd lowest ERA in the AL for the month of September)

Only 4 hits - but 3 runs...
as Dave would say "hits as scarce as hen's teeth"

and, an "inside-the-parker" "bad guys"...
as it skips on by dives from Mike AND Trayvon.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

g156 | the substitute gives up the game-winner

Mariners 2 | Twins 3

Blake had a strong outing...
seven innings - six hits - two runs - zero walks - four strikeouts
Too bad he wasn't able to record the victory.

Steve came in for Ceasar in the 8th...
with runners at 1B and 3B and got a much needed DP.  He wasn't so lucky/good in the 9th - giving up two walks and an RBI double that was the game-winner.

The hits kept coming but, the runs were scarce...
Great to see Justin coming round after so much time off - three more hits and an RBI today.  And, some thievery going on too - Kyle and Trayvon both with SB's.  The defense looking good with two DP's and an outfield assist.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

g155 | series victory in Minny

Mariners 5 | Twins 4

Kevin Slowey had them baffled for a time...
In fact, the only M's base-runner in the first five innings was Ichiro who got aboard via an error in the third.

And then, adjustments were made...
With TWO outs in the 6th, Ichiro singled and then the "Carolin Connection" came through - doubles by both Seager and Ackley scored TWO and tied the game.  In the 7th, the M's would add three more singles (Justin, Miggy, Tray) and a double (Ichiro) for a total of THREE more runs.

Michael's last start wasn't his best effort but, he had a great rookie season...
for one thing, he leads all rookie pitchers in K's (173).  Heard it mentioned on the post game show that he'll be perfecting his change up and a two-seam fastball over the winter/spring.  He's only just begun!

It was a tale of two bullpens...
-Jeff and Cesar getting in and out of trouble in the 5th and 6th respectively
-Shawn retiring the side in order in the 7th with 2 K's
-Tom faltering a bit by giving up a run in the 8th (only his second ER in 15+ innings)
-Brandon making it a bit too close for comfort in the 9th, giving up a run on three singles but, hanging on on for his 36th save.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

g154 | What relief!

Mariners 5 | Twins 4

Early on, things weren't looking too good for Jason Vargas but, he hung in there through six and Tom and Chance came in for the 7th and 8th respectively, each only facing them minimum.

Then, it was heart-attack time - with a one-run lead in the 9th, Brandon loaded the bases with NOBODY out... but, miraculously escaped.  Whew!


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The offense (yes, I'm talking the M's offense here) just keeps on rolling...
Alex with his second homer in as many games
Mike with a FIVE for FIVE night (including TWO doubles)
Miggy also with TWO doubles
Ichiro with a lead off triple

DEE not too shabby either...
I think even I will overlook Mike's faux pax in LF (5/5 will get you forgiveness)
Nice DP turned by Dustin-Kyle-Adam in the 7th

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Adam to Miggy with a HUGE play at the plate (making it two outs with the bases loaded)

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Monday, September 19, 2011

g153 | rain make-up, delayed and then called due to rain

Mariners 12 | Indians 6 (in 7)

When is Cleveland going to GET A ROOF?!?

Figures...
the M's have a rare offensive explosion and no one is around to see it (due to the east coast start time)

The line up was a little unusual ... 
Casper and Brendan stayed back in Seattle nursing injury and Dustin got a day off so, Seager was a 2B,  Luis at SS and Chris in LF (Luis and Chris ended up being the only two without hits - though both walked).

  • Mr. Liddi hit his first major league home run (1st by an Italian born player since 1961)
  • Mr. Carp his first career grand slam (455 feet!)
  • The M's scored NINE runs in the 3rd inning
  • Walked 5 times (including THREE by Wily Mo- his 1st multi-walk game since 2008)
  • and ... wait for it ... were 6-9 w/RISP!!!
And, that was all in SEVEN innings, since this make-up game was delayed, and then called, due to rain.

The Tribe hit the Charlie around pretty well too...
to the tune of SIX runs on TEN hits in FIVE innings and yet, due to the M's MoJo at Progressive Field this season, he was able to record the victory.  To his credit, at one point, Charlie retired EIGHT straight and struck out SIX in-a-row.

As for that MoJo...
In their last FOUR games there, the M's have score 38 runs with 15 doubles and 5 homers.
It's also been where they have been snowed out FOUR games straight (2007), rained out TWO games (2011) and been through an earthquake (2011)

Josh rather impressive in his TWO innings of work...
only one hit and one walk and three strike outs

Now, after that little side-trip, it's on to Minnie for three...

Sunday, September 18, 2011

g152 | Disappointment in the court ... Offensive OBJECTION!

Mariners 0 | Rangers 3

Well, lost the series, and today's offense was pretty sad (another FOURTEEN strikeouts on their way to the shutout) but, overall, it turned out better than expected.  The M's shut out the Rangers in the first game, lost by one in the second game and were shut out in the third game.
Aggregate score = a draw (10-10)

Kinsler had a homer called back (ruled foul) and then hit into a DP - looked like fortune might smile on Felix and the M's but, not so.  Felix pitched well enough to win but, wasn't his usual dominant self.

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Defense darn good all around...
~Alex made an awesome diving stop at 3B and Mike stretched and digged to ensure the out at 1B
~Great play at the plate...

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~Man, that Hamilton can play LF - totally robbed Mike of a homer.

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Now they are off to play the Tribe in a make up game in Cleveland (on what was supposed to be a day off) "on their way" to Minnesota for three and Arlington for three.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

g151 | slugfest at the Safe...

Mariners 6 | Rangers 7

't was looking pretty good in the bottom of the second...
when the M's took a 4-1 lead via three singles (Adam, Brendan and Ichiro) a walk (Saunders) and a double (Seager).  But, the Rangers came roaring right back to tie it up with THREE solo homers in the top of the third.  They would put up another three-spot in the top of the fourth via three singles and a walk to take a 7-4 lead.  Mike Carp hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to get the M's to within one - but that would be the final score.

Not sure Anthony Vasquez had a chance in this one...
he looked pretty good the first couple of innings but, you just can't keep these guys down for long (amazing that the M's were able to shut them out last night).  Hopefully, Anthony learned some valuable lessons from his short outing.

As for the bullpen...
Jeff wasn't too sharp, but gave them some innings.  Then Cesar, Chance and Jamey combined for 3.2 scoreless ... not too shabby.

Trayvon made an AWESOME catch, going into the stands in LF...

Apparently, going into this game, the M's have NEVER gotten a hit off Neftali Feliz...
And, they still don't.

As an aside...
It was kinda cool when the M's fans cheered every time there were fireworks going off next door at Century Link Field - they knew it meant goooooooooooooooallll!!!!!!

After the M's game, I went across the street to cheer for the men in rave green.  Apparently, they didn't need my cheering, as I got there just as the second half was starting and before I got to my seat there was another goal (3-nil Sounders at that point - which would end up being the final).

g150 | Three words for Blake's outing ... My Oh My

Mariners 4 | Rangers 0

And now, for something different, only SIX hits but, FOUR runs....
not a bad ratio (2-4 w/RISP).  The first three runs all scored with two outs (error, wild pitch and a bad hop on the 2B bag) as the M's batted around for three runs in the 3rd. Casper added a solo homer in the 7th, and there you go!

It was nice to see the M's defense outshine the Rangers....
(though Hamilton made a couple of outstanding catches in LF).  Seager made a super backhanded snare on a low liner and threw to Carp for the out at 1B.  Really nice DP turned in the 6th ~ Ryan-to-Ackley-to-Carp.  And, the last out in the 3rd was a little tapper up the 1B line that Miggy was able to field and throw to Carp just barely beating the runner.

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The real star of the night - was Mr. Blake Beavan...
holding the Rangers to only FOUR hits and ZERO walks and ZERO runs in EIGHT innings was pretty impressive.  Blake retired Rangers in order in FOUR different innings (1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th).  It would be great to see him finish strong with a good possibility to compete for the rotation next season.

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Though it wasn't a save situation...
Brandon came in for the 9th and struck out the side to seal the victory.

There was a Kangaroo Court moment in the 3rd inning, Miggy headed to the dugout after only two outs...

AP PHOTO

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The spirit of Dave lives on at Safeco Field ... forever.


Seattle Mariners to Unveil Statue of Dave Niehaus
The statue is remarkably lifelike down to the smallest detail. Niehaus is wearing one of his favorite neckties with tiny baseballs on it (picked out for this purpose by Dave's wife Marilyn and their daughter Greta), and were it not for the fact that it is made of bronze, Dave's sport coat would likely be one of his trademark pastels. The scorebook in front of him is open to the American League Division Series game against the New York Yankees on October 8, 1995 - a game that was won by Edgar Martinez's double down the left field line that is immortalized in Dave's legendary call. The pages are engraved with Dave's actual notes and scoring of the game.
The artist, Lou Cella, worked from dozens of photos to capture the essence of Niehaus. The piece was first sculpted in clay and then cast in bronze.

Pretty Perfect....






Wednesday, September 14, 2011

g149 | The Twist, the Bartender, the Teacher .... Luis!!!

Mariners 2 | Yankees 1

That was fun!
Yes, even thought the M's are hopelessly out of contention this season, it's always fun to beat the Yanks!



What a strange series...

  • The Yanks stomp all over Felix for the first time in ... seems like ever!
  • Charlie pitches decently and gives them a great chance to win the second game but, the hitters strikeout 17 times and they lose by one run
  • Then tonight, Jason, who has struggled MIGHTILY vs. the Yanks, pitches like a charm, as does the bullpen, and they win it by one run in twelve innings despite another 10 strikeouts and 0-11 w/RISP


It was not only fun, it was really encouraging, in more ways than one.

Jason still using "the twist" (ala Felix/Bedard) and it appears to be working...
He threw a lot of pitches (101) for 6.2 innings but, he only allowed THREE hits and ONE run and struck out SIX.  Yep, I'd say it's working.

And what about the 'pen?!?   
Jamey and Brandon combine for 2.2 scoreless
Tom (the bartender) and Steve (the substitute teacher) combined for 3 HITLESS, scoreless innings (and Steve records his first major league win.

Some nice D all around the outfield - Trayvon, Michael, Ichiro all with some nice catches...


AP PHOTO

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AP PHOTO

OK, 0-11 w/RISP and 10 strikeouts doesn't usually bode well for a win but...
And, how cool was it that Luis's mom was in attendance watching her son for the first time "in person" in a major league game when he hit not only two doubles but a game-winning home run in the twelfth!

AP PHOTO

AP PHOTO


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

g148 | 17 K's and Mo's 600th

Mariners 2 | Yankees 3

17 K's.  Not good.
But, I just heard something on the post game show that's even more unbelievable...
Last night's "only" six strikeouts saved the M's from being the first team IN MAJOR LEAGUE HISTORY to strikeout 11 or more times FIVE games in-a-row.  Wow.
But, maybe it's to be expected from a young team, eager to please and trying to do too much.

They definitely had their chances tonight ...
They had 6 hits (2 doubles - Miggy and Kyle) and 4 walks but only went 1 for 10 w/RISP

Now, for the encouraging part...

Charlie!  
He only went 5.1 innings and gave up 3 runs but, he also struck out 6 and didn't walk a batter.
Getting that close to a quality start vs. the Yanks in only his 10th big league start is certainly something to build on.

JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES

And, the bullpen!  
No walks by any of the three...
Tom and Brandon each threw a scoreless inning (since when does Tom throw 98?!?) and Shawn went 1.2 innings with no strikeouts but only one hit.

And - FOUR DOUBLE PLAYS ... love that!


Congratulations to Mariano... career save #600

JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Rather fitting that it came in a game that ended with Ichiro being the last out, trying to steal.  Ichiro was on base via a hit - one of the few that has had decent success vs. Mo.

Tomorrow - do we see Jekyll Vargas or Hyde Vargas?

Monday, September 12, 2011

g147 | Objection!

Mariners 3 | Yankees 9

Not how it s'pose to be when Felix takes the mound vs. the pin-stripers from NY...

When the M's score 3 runs on 4 walks and 8 hits including a double (Kyle) and a homer (Miggy) for Felix, he typically walks away with a victory.

Felix giving up more runs than strikeouts?  Certainly not typical.
Felix - of the 5-0 record and 1.29 ERA in his last six starts vs. the Yanks Yankees - giving up 5 runs in one inning?  Definitely not what we are used to seeing.

We have been a bit spoiled with Felix's ability to own the Yanks in recent years.  Some would say he was "due".  Felix said they have a good lineup and he had a bad inning.  You leave the ball up and they will make you pay.

Or, you can just blame me.
It was my first night in King's Court...


At least the night wasn't a total loss.  The King's Court was great fun - from the presentation of the turkey leg to the jester (just across the isle) to the various Larry Bernandez look-alikes and, of course, the chanting....

OOOOOO-o-LEE-vo
                     Dustin Ackley - clap,clap,clap-clap-clap
                                                                        SEAfood Special!
                                                                                                 K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K

And, I got to meet a great fellow Mariners fan...
I Really enjoyed "cheering and chatting" with you @Sheryl262!
See you up in the third deck this weekend!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

g146 | oh, so close

Mariners 1 | Royals 2

Pitchers, once again, solid...
~ Anthony Vasquez needed only 86 pitches to get through six innings.  He scattered seven hits and gave up only two earned runs.  It was enough for his first quality start in the majors.
~ Shawn gave up an inherited runner in the 7th and Chance threw a scoreless inning for the 8th.
~ Steve Delabar made his major league debut by retiring the side in order in the 9th (flyout, strikeout, strikeout)

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Hitters, once again, not so much...
only six total hits and no runs until the 8th, when Josh singled, Michael ran for him and scored on Ichiro's double.  There was a bit of hope in the 9th when Justin singled with two outs in the 9th and Trayvon ran for him - but, Miggy hit a long fly ball ... for the third out.

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Bring on the Yanks!
I'll be in King's Court tomorrow night!!!

On this day...

To some, following sports is a trivial pursuit.

To others, like me, it is a fascinating, fun and fabulous activity.

As both the NFL and MLB take time today prior to their games to remember and pay respect their to the first responders who saved lives, all the brave men and women who lost their own trying to save others and the thousands of others who died or lost lost loved ones, I am also reminded how sports (especially baseball) played such a huge part in the coming together and the healing of a country, a state, a community, a city, a team and a family.

MLB remembers | MLB.com

Baseball and healing in a national crisis | HeraldNet.com

A tribute to heros | SoundersFC.com


Today, at Safeco Field...
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via Shannon's twitter page

Saturday, September 10, 2011

g145 | M's struggle royally vs. KC pitching

Mariners 2 | Royals 4

The good news?
Michael pitched well after a rough first inning in which he allowed 3 runs - at one point retiring 14 of 15 batters and pitching a full 8 innings for the first time in his major league career.  And, his 171 K's were enough to pass Freddy Garcia for second most strikeouts by a Mariner rookie and the most by a MLB rookie since Matsusaka in '07 (201) and Kazmir in '05 (174).

Young M's (Justin and Mike) each had home runs.

The bad news?
The only Mariners hits were those homers - both solo shots.
Bit of an understatement to say the M's hitters had a rough go tonight ~ FOURTEEN strikeouts.

Makes one wonder...
with the strong arms of the Royals and the decent hitting - why haven't they won more games?

Friday, September 09, 2011

g144 | "M's offense"and "offensive explosion" in the same sentence!!!

Mariners 7 | Royals 3

These are NOT your father's Mariners...
~ What a night for Miggy! 3 hits and 2 RBI left him just a single away from the cycle!
~ Ichiro with four more hits (including another homer) leaving him now 33 hits shy of 200
~ Justin with three more hits and two RBI
~ Alex Liddi had his first major league hit ... a ringing double to left field

Blake seeming to take Doug Fister's place as the "Houdini" of the M's...
Thankfully, NOT as the recipient of lower than low run support though.  Blake has shown a propensity to get in all kinds of hot water in the first inning ~ whether it be an extremely high pitch count or actually runs allowed ~ and then to make the needed adjustments to right the ship.  Tonight was no different.  He had allowed two runs via a homer, a triple, two singles by the time I had made my way to my seat in the first inning.  But, after allowing a lead off single in the second, he retired 13-in-a-row and made it into the 7th allowing a triple and a single for another run - but, left with the lead and would get the eventual win.

Nice to see Shawn Kelley back!  
He and Jamey combined for 2.2 scoreless with three strikeouts

This game had plenty of great DEE...
  • Trayvon with a great diving catch
  • Justin with a super snag of a foul pop-up right at the tarp on the 1B line
  • Casper with a home-run robbing leap in left field
And, on the other side - Dustin hit the ball HARD three times but was robbed each time, including twice by Francoeur - once of a homer and once of at least a double

Thursday, September 08, 2011

g143 | Jason gives them a chance, Justin seizes the opportunity

Mariners 4 | Royals 1

Nice to see Jason bounce back for his first win in nearly a month...
He's had some pretty dreadful outings of late and, even though it was "only" the Royals, they are a pretty good hitting team, so allowing only one run on four hits in six innings was very encouraging.  No question that Jason needs to finish the season strong to shed the rep of a pitcher who melts down in the second half.  Looks like adding the "Felix twist" might be one of the keys to doing just that.

Jamey, Tom and Brandon, oh my!
An infield singel off Brandon in the 9th was the only hit the bullpen allowed in three complete innings.  And, Brandon earned his 34th save.

Only six hits but, they made them count...
M's still struggling like mad with RISP (0-8) but...
~ Ichiro with a lead off home run and a single (now needs 37 hits to 200)
~ Justin's first homer since June 12th great to see

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

g142 | Williams bested Furbush ... DEE bested OH

Mariners 1 | Angels 3

Charlie Furbush's best major league start to date ends in defeat...
Charlie held the Halos scoreless through seven innings on only three hits (a double and two singles) and no walks. Then, things fell apart for him in the 8th as he allowed a single, a walk and a two-run double and relinquished the mound to Tom W, who allowed the inherited runner to score - giving the Halos the 3-1 advantage at the time that would be the final score.

Charlie's performance in the first seven innings vs. a team fighting for their playoff lives was nothing short of impressive.  Hopefully, his performance in the 8th will serve as a valuable learning experience.

Tip o' the cap to Jerome Williams..
The M's scored first on the 6th inning home run by Trayvon Robinson but, that was the ONLY hit Williams allowed through eight innings. Then, Walden shut the door in a 1-2-3 9th

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

g141 | Happy Felix Day!

Mariners 2 | Angels 1

For starters, Felix made mince meat of "the starters" (retired all 8 lead-off batters he faced).
He recorded 13 ground ball outs to 5 fly ball outs to 7 strikeouts

All three runs of the game were UNearned...
  • Justin singled in the second inning and two errors and a sac-fly later he scored.  Then in the Kyle got aboard via an error in the fourth inning, stole 2B, moved to 3B on a Robinson single and scored on a fielder's choice by Michael Saunders (welcome back, Michael!). 
  • The Halos run came after Felix, uncharacteristically, botched a bunt play which allowed Hunter to get to 2B and, later in the inning, Cayaspo singled to drive in Hunter. 
Once again, they had no problem gettin' 'em on...
  • Ichiro, another hit (39 from 200)
  • Dustin, Justin and Miggy each with two (Dustin, his SEVENTH triple, the only M's extra-base hit) 
  • Trayvon and Kyle each with one hit, and an RBI and run, respecitively
  • Ichiro, Kyle and Dustin each with a stolen base (Kyle's his first in the bigs)
but NOT so good at gettin' 'em in...
only TWO for FOURTEEN - ey-yi-yi!

But hey, they scored the requisite ONE more run and played spoiler, at least for a night (as the Rangers won earlier) and Felix earned his 14th victory and Brandon his 33rd save.

Getty Images

Monday, September 05, 2011

g140 | What doesn't bode well for a win? FIVE errors, that's what!!!

Mariners 3 | Angels 7

I won't waste too much space talking about this one - definitely one of the ugliest games all season...
If only scoring THREE runs on ELEVEN hits was abysmal, then committing FIVE errors was atrocious.

According to the box score, only one of the SEVEN runs that Vasquez gave up was UNearned but, it sure seemed like more.  The bullpen put up 2.1 scoreless despite two of the errors committed during their stint.

All the rooks got their requisite 1-2 hits (they were a combined 8/19)


Onward and upward.

Congrats to Alex Liddi!


And, maybe he'll get to add some Major League runs and ribbies to those totals!
He and fellow Rainiers teammates, Michael Saunders and Steve Delabar will be up will be up with the big club as of tomorrow!

Sunday, September 04, 2011

g139 | swept away ... again

Mariners 5 | Athletics 8

Early in the season, the offense would have KILLED for 10 hits and five runs - 't wasn't enough today.

Blake Beavan was far from on, throwing a ton of pitches (101) and allowing way too many walks (3) for only five innings.  Josh Lueke, after a 1-2-3 sixth, was given a chance to get himself out of trouble in the seventh, and failed - miserably (giving up 4 runs).  Brandon League came in for some much needed work, allowed a single but, no walks or runs and his ERA dropped below 3.

The offense was a bit jekyll and hyde today....

The Good
~5 runs on 10 hits, including 4 for extra bases (doubles by Mike, Trayvon) and a homer for Dustin
~two-hit games from Ichiro, Guti, Dustin, Justin and Kyle
~stolen base by Ichiro

Getty Images


Getty Images
Getty Images

The Bad
~TWO for ELEVEN with RISP (including twice with the bases loaded, once with only one out)

The Ugly
~Wells was hit by a pitch on the elbow and had to leave the game (x-rays negative, day-to-day)
~Guti pulled an oblique on a pitch in the 8th (and this one looks/sounds serious)


Not to say that without the injuries that the M's would have pulled it off but, you always wonder.
In any case, good job by the young bats who were a combined 8/20 with four of the five runs, two RBI and two walks.


Saturday, September 03, 2011

g138 | too much McCarthy

Mariners 0 | Athletics 3

When the combination of starters and relievers only give up 3 runs, the typical mantra is...
"they gave us a chance to win"

When your offense manages only 6 hits and zero runs, the mantra typical mantra is...
not repeatable on a family-friendly blog


So, tip your cap to McCarthy's complete game shut-out and move on.

btw - Ichiro had one of the hits, getting him to within 42 hits of 200 for the season
(Ackley and Bard had the other two hits)

Friday, September 02, 2011

g137 | Sea in Oak on the diamond, Oak in Sea on the grid-iron...

Mariners 2 | Athletics 9

So, I was sitting at Century Link Field watching the Seahawks and Raiders while listening to the Mariners and Athletics play in Oakland (frankly wondering if the Seahawks would be able to score more than the M's). Neither game really mattered much to any of the teams.  On the NFL side, it was the final pre-season game, so many of the starters only played the first quarter. On the MLB side, the M's and A's appear to be battling it out for third place on the division (with the A's clearly ahead).

While the M's scored first (one in the first and one in the second), the lead wouldn't hold, as Jason Vargas played his all-too-familiar Dr. Jekyll role (where oh where have you gone Mr. Hyde?).  Cesar Jimenez and Jeff Gray were no help at all.  The lone pitching bright spot was the return of Shawn Kelley from the DL - he faced four batters - fly ou, pop up, walk and ground out.  Nice to have him back in the 'pen.

Even though there were only six Mariner hits, they were all encouraging...
-Justin Smoak was back in the line up after his rehab stint (broken nose, cheek bone) and got two hits
-Casper Wells broke an 0-28 with a double
-Ichiro got one hit closer to 200 (now needs 43)
-Brendan Ryan broke an o-15 with an RBI single
-Dustin Ackley checked in with his typical (at LEAST) one hit


By the way, the Seahawks (much to my surprise) won 20-3


Thursday, September 01, 2011

August - just adjust

August Tid-Bits
  • still a losing month but, 13-15 was such an improvement over July, it didn't seem so bad
  • batted .273 as a team for the month
  • -18 run differential for the month, -85 overall


AT THE PLATE

We'll leave the big fish for last :-)

Dustin is just 2 shy of the rookie record (8) for triples held by Ichiro ('01) and Ruppert Jones ('77) and passed Johjima ('06) with the most hits by a Mariner rookie (69 in 63 games)


Great to see Guti coming around...
.295 w/ 11 runs & 9 RBI for the month

And, Kyle deserves a mention...
led the club in AVG for August - .342 in 22 AB's with a .505 SLG%



ON THE MOUND

Felix passed Jamie Moyer for second on the all-time Mariners strikeout list in a game with the Angels.  Randy Johnson #1 (2162) Felix #2 (1242 and counting) Jamie Moyer #3 (1239)


IN THE PEN

Not a super great month for the bullpen, but Brandon did record 8 saves.  Tom had a nice little run, lowering his ERA by about 1-5 points.  Jamey was close to lowering his by about one point until late in the month when he imploded in a game vs. Tampa Bay and gave up four runs.



OF BASE PATHS AND LEATHER WORKS
Casper Wells proving to be a MORE than adequate left-fielder.  What an arm! Love seeing him gun down runners trying to take that extra base ... he even had two assists in one game!






AUGUST STAR

Mike Carp!
Not only did he hit .313 for the month of August with 6 home runs, 8 doubles and 15 runs scored - he tied Danny Tartabull with the Mariners franchise record for RBI in a month - 25

Oh yeah ... he also won AL Rookie of the Month!




DEPARTURES

Goodbye Jack Wilson!
Loved the D, just couldn't quite get it together with the bat and/or stay fully healthy.  Good to see him go to a team with a chance at the playoffs.

We get ... a PTBNL






g136 | splittin' in Seattle

Mariners 3 | Angels 4

I have a feeling this series was a lot more difficult than the Halos expected it to be...
not that we should be satisfied with "moral victories" but, the way this young team faced up vs. a team right in the thick of the playoff hunt was admirable, if not impressive.

Tonight, Charlie struggled in the early innings (3-0 after one, 4-0 by mid-three) and he seemed not long for the mound. Then, showed some perseverance by hanging in their and giving the team a chance.  The team looked like it was going to give him a chance in the third when they scored three to get within one.

But, little did we know, that the game would be decided by that third inning.  There were PLENTY of opportunities - Santana walked SEVEN and the M's had the bases loaded with one out and failed to score (Carp hit into a DP).  should, woulda, coulda

Nice to see Jamey save the pen (this was their 7th game of 20-in-a-row) with three SCORELESS - no walks and three K's

Ichiro with another couple of hits (needs 44 for 200)

Happy 24th Birthday, Trayvon!