G147 | They are having fun again...

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

M's 4 | White Sox 3 (14)

What is is about the M's and WS?
Today was the 2nd 14-inning game they played each other this season...
and the M's pulled it out both times :-)

Jose and Bill both going deep to tie the game in the 9th = great

Brandon's first start at home, including 6 walks and 3 runs in 5 innings = not so great

The bullpen's 8.2 innings of shutout ball = fantastic
Oh, and what a way for Adam Moore to make his big league debut (catching nearly every arm down in the 'pen ;-)

Ichiro's game winning hit and the celebration that ensued = priceless

Hanging with the best | Road Reflections

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2-1 vs. Dodgers
1-2 vs. Yankees
2-1 vs. Red Sox


ROAD RHYTHM

~ Felix being Felix (not quite as strong in BOS as he was in LA) but definitely coming into his "ace-hood"
~ Super kudos to the bottom of the order who started to take off with the salvage game in Yankee Stadium and continued rolling on into Fenway (in 5 games the 5-9 hitters were 35 of 52 in hits, 16 of 27 in RBI and 17 of 27 in runs scored)
~ the D.A. added two more saves to his total
~ JR hit his 620th career homer in LA and his 621st in the new Yankee Stadium
~ Russell hit a MOON shot in new YS
~ Red Sox fan catches a foul ball in his cap (preventing Youks from catching it) and the inning extends and the M's get three on a double and a homer
~ Comin' from behind is always fun, but doing it in Fenway is sweet! (and on the 4th of July, no less!)



ROAD RUBBISH

~ Jason continued his road woes in LA
~ Sean struggles mightily for the first time all season (in NY and BOS)
~ Some critical errors spoil comeback in NY and BOS
~ Bullpen implosion in Fenway prevents M's from sweeping the Sox
~ Adrian decides he can no longer play through the pain - the Dodger series is his last prior to surgery

Yo! (Yo) Brandon...

So, the saga of Brandon continues....

• First - injury in Spring Training prevents him from getting his innings in (he logs all of 5 in ST)
• Then he proclaims, due to various reasons, the bullpen is the place for him
• He starts the season on a shaky note (likely due to still being in ST mode) settles in a bit but is eventually placed on the DL
• He comes back too soon, without rehab in the minors, and promptly implodes (blowing back-to-back saves in Texas)
• The closer role is revoked and he begins working on things here and there on the rare occasions there is somewhat of a mop-up role
• And now that the M's have found their closer (Ardsma) and other bullpen roles have been assigned, accepted and acheived, Geoff Baker reports ...

Mariners pitcher Brandon Morrow: "I think I can be a good starter."

Just got done talking with Brandon Morrow, who confirmed what's been known internally within the team for some time. He's off to Class AAA Tacoma to work on becoming a starting pitcher again as soon as the Mariners can call up pitcher Roy Corcoran from his injury rehab assignment. Might happen this week.
"It's going to be the long road this time,'' he said. "Last year, it was the month in AAA and everybody knew I was coming back.''
Not this time. This time, there is no timetable. Morrow wants it that way. Wants to work on the mechanical changes he's already sought to improve up here. He feels he's been selling himself short. I asked him that very question, whether he felt he was cheating himself out of becoming the best he can be.
"Yeah, definitely, that was another thing,'' he said. "I think it limits me in the bullpen and I definitely had the wrong mindset, I guess, when I was going out there early in the year. I wasn't fully ready, I guess. Yeah, selling myself short. I think I can be a good starter. I think I have the pitches for it. I think I can mix my pitches well. I've been working on my location with all of them. I know I have the stamina to do it. I've always been able to keep my velocity and stuff late in the game, even when I didn't havce great control. I mean, that's always been my biggest problem.''
In the same clip, Morrow adds that his concerns about his diabetes were just something he used as an excuse to convince himself he was doing the right thing. He says now that he was never really certain.
"It was a hasty decision to go to the bullpen,'' he said. "The short forearm tightness injury (in spring training). that kind of started the doubts in my mind.''
And when that happened, he reverted to the one thing he knew and felt comfortable doing -- the bullpen. It was only later on, when he began struggling there, too, that he realized he may have made a mistake.
Now, he's about to find out whether that's the case. And whether starting is what he's truly meant to do.

And a "tweet" from Shannon Drayer (M's beat reporter) earlier today...

Talked to Morrow. He's a starter. However long he needs in the minors, he is ready for it and wants to do it right.

Stay tuned as we follow Brandon in T-Town....

G35 | spittin' bristles in Texas...

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M's 2 | Rangers 3

The good news is...
Felix was finally Felix. And, as Shannon finds out, maybe even better.

Felix's velocity being down was game plan. I flat out asked him, why not throw 96-97 to these guys today. Okay, so I set him up a little, but good answer anyway.

"A couple years ago I was a thrower, not a pitcher. Now I am a pitcher. I located all of my pitches today. I don't want to throw 97 in the middle. I just want to go at the corners and throw my two seamers. They have a pretty good line up and you have to locate your pitches. Michael Young is a great hitter, you see that, two hits against me but if you get the other guys out it will be fine."

He struck out Hank Blalock three times, first time change up, second time fastball inside, third fastball away. He said it was a big game for him. I asked what he wanted to do in this game after what happened in Minnesota, he replied, "Pitch. I just want to pitch a great game. I have been struggling for the last two games, I just want to go out there and pitch. Don't just throw the ball, pitch."

Pretty amazing to see what he could do with pretty much just a two seamer and a change, with a couple of okay sliders thrown in. The curve again was MIA.

It's a shame offense was still the offense :-(

Here's hoping that...
we have yet to see the real Brandon this season.
Not that I'm happy about it, but looks like my early trepidation was founded :-(

There are those saying that Brandon is done ...
I'm not buying it. I seem to remember that he performed pretty darn well as a fill-in closer for JJ last season, but had to go refresh my memory on his stats...

Sure enough, he had 10 saves in 12 opportunities with a 1.47ERA as a reliever. His lefty/right splits were nearly identical (except for a few more walks to the lefties and a LOT more K's to the righties). Brandon gave up exactly ZERO runs to the: O's, RedSox, WhiteSox, Tribe, Tigers, BJ's, Mets, Pads and Marlins in nearly 25IP to those teams (and barely gave up any vs, the Yanks, Halos and Rangers in 18.2IP). It was the actual STARTS vs. KC and OAK where his ERA ballooned.

All this to say that...
despite the relatively small sample size, Brandon was tested against some pretty potent lineups last season and, for the most part, passed with flying colors. I think the main problem this season is that he just flat out wasn't ready. He missed a TON of ST time (pitched a grand total of 5 innings) due to shoulder stiffness and should probably have started the season on the DL - as opposed to struggling early, then getting DL's and then coming back without rehab (in the Metrodome and Arlington, of all places).

So, here's to Wak, et al....
figuring out the best way for Brandon to dust off the rust AND regain his confidence ~ without having the game on the line.

Bring on the BoSox!!!

(I'll be at "Fenway Northwest" on Friday and Sunday)

Carlos ... can he figure it out?

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JOHN SLEEZER / MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

As Brandon come off the DL, Carlos goes on and Jason takes his place in the rotation.

Shannon's report

PI

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!

I hope Brandon is ready...

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I must admit, I'm more than a little nervous about Brandon...
As posted earlier, he's been named CLOSER starting on day one ~ despite being very behind in ST because of the early forearm stiffness (and as a result only throwing 5 innings).

Here's hoping that between his mental relief of 'going back to relief' and the fact that oodles of adrenaline is likely to kick in upon his first 9th inning visit to the mound, all will be well and right.

I guess the bigger worry is ...
will he have many games to close?

Now, that wasn't very "rosy" of me, was it?

IN the PEN

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courtesy Kirby Arnold | HeraldNet


DAVIDaardsma
RIGHT-HANDER
4-2 | 5.55*
The Mariners saw an opportunity to add a potent arm to their bullpen and acquired the 27-year-old Aardsma in the offs eason from the Red Sox for minor league pitcher Fabian Williamson. His fastball tops out in the upper 90 mph range and he has been working on a better breaking pitch. Aardsma, the first player listed in the baseball registry, averaged 9.06 strikeouts per nine innings last year. He also tends to give up a lot of fly balls, which could work well at Safeco Field if he keeps them in the middle of the big ballpark.
*2008 statistics with the Boston Red Sox



MIGUELbatista
RIGHT-HANDER
4-14 | 6.26
Others who didn't make the team pitched better than Batista at spring training, but the Mariners weren't about to eat the $9 million he will make this year. If the Mariners could find a taker, they'd move Batista in a heartbeat. Otherwise, he'll pitch primarily in long relief. He had a chance to compete for the closer job but struggled at spring training and didn't show he could pitch in back-to-back games.



ROYcorcoran
RIGHT-HANDER
6-2 | 3.22
Besides being one of the most popular players in the clubhouse, "We asked each guy who their favorite teammate was, and about 15 of them said Corky," Wakamatsu said Corcoran was a rock in the bullpen in his first full big-league season. Corcoran doesn't have overpowering stuff but he's fearless, and when he gets late movement on his fastball he can be tough to hit. Corcoran went to spring training hoping to compete for the closer job but suffered a minor arm problem, then struggled to rediscover his stuff.



CHRISjakubauskas
RIGHT-HANDER
5-1 | 2.59*
A non-roster player like Kelley, Jakubauskas performed so well at spring training he forced his way onto the opening-day roster. He is one of the great stories on the team, a former power-hitting first baseman and outfielder at the University of Oklahoma whose bat disappeared. He converted to pitcher and played four years of independent ball before the Mariners signed him in 2007. Jakubauskas throws to all corners of the strike zone and isn't afraid to pitch inside, and he was especially good against left-handed hitters at spring training.
* 20008 statistics at Class AAA Tacoma



SHAWNkelley
Right-hander
3-1 | 2.11*
The 24-year-old Kelley was one of the success stories of spring training, making the team as a non-roster invitee. Kelley, who pitched three games for the Everett AquaSox in 2007, has moved quickly through the Mariners' system since they drafted him in the 13th round in 2007. He pitched at three levels last year and led all Mariners minor leaguers with 15 saves. At one point, he pitched 26 straight scoreless innings, including 14 straight at Class AA West Tennessee.
*2008 statistics in 29 relief appearances at Class AA West Tennessee



MARKlowe
RIGHT-HANDER
1-5 | 5.37
Last year was all about staying healthy for a complete season for Lowe, who pitched his first full year after major elbow surgery in 2006. He throws a mid-to-upper 90 mph fastball with a slider and sinker, and when he controls those pitches he's tough to hit. Lowe could even see some time at closer when Brandon Morrow isn't available. Lowe, diagnosed last year as a Type 2 diabetic, began taking insulin late last month in order to keep his blood sugar in check. He had lost 15 pounds during the off season.



BRANDONmorrow
RIGHT-HANDER ~ CLOSER
3-4 | 3.34
No pitcher has gone through a swing of emotions or roles than Morrow in the past year. He began spring training figuring to have a prominent place in the starting rotation, having been converted into a starter midway through last season. A tight forearm set Morrow back early in camp, and he struggled to regain the arm strength and command needed to be ready for the season-opening rotation.

Still, the Mariners prepared the hard-throwing right-hander as a starter not knowing the debate Morrow was having in his own mind. Besides concerns over his durability as a starter, Morrow is a diabetic who knew that keeping his blood sugar in balance would be more difficult than if he were a reliever.

He approached Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair about two weeks ago, telling him he believed he would be more effective pitching in relief. "Diabetes is a little bit of a factor, but the major thing is the excitement from coming in at the end of the game," Morrow said. "I think I can help the team more in the bullpen. I think I'm better built for the bullpen."

Morrow moves to the pen at a time when the Mariners are desperate for a closer. The trade of J.J. Putz created a wide-open competition at spring training, and none of the pitchers considered for the job pitched well.

Now there's Morrow, who has a record of success as a closer. He saved 10 games last year when Putz served two stints on the disabled list, including his first career save on June 11 at Toronto after Putz had to leave the game.

As the Mariners' losses mounted and they began to look ahead to this year, they decided to convert Morrow into a starter. He went to Class AAA Tacoma to build his arm strength, then made his starting debut in spectacular fashion. He held the Yankees without a hit for 72/3 innings in one of the brightest moments of a dismal season for the Mariners.

Things have changed since then, and Morrow is back in the bullpen and eager for the chance to pitch in the ninth inning again. "Once you get a taste of closing, I don't think many people would want to go back to anything else," Morrow said.

Mariner Matters | 4.3

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All Righty, then....
Wetteland and Wak not too concerned regarding what appears to be, for now, an all-righty pen.

...Wetteland said. "It doesn't matter if you throw left-handed, or right-handed; if you can get lefties out, that's all that matters."

...said Wakamatsu "When the righties have the abilities to get lefties out, it's a moot point. Hopefully, we have that same problem."

But final slots still TBD....
Lots of "i"s to dot and "t"s to cross with this bunch. Between Brandon's early forearm stiffness (that put him way behind schedule) and Lowe's early struggles (though he ended ST on a high note) and others like Cordero and Johnson still on the shelf ~ it will come down to the wire.

The remaining question for Seattle is which three, out of Chris Jakubauskas, Shawn Kelley, Jesus Delgado and Roy Corcoran, will make the final roster. Jakubauskas and Kelley are non-roster invitees, who have posted some of the most impressive numbers in spring training. Jakubauskas could very well be the Mariners' long guy out of the bullpen after starting his final four appearances of spring training. Delgado could be kept because of his ability to get left-handers out.

The dark horse to start the season as closer might be Miguel Batista, who has no defined role, but saved 31 games in 2005 with Toronto.

"We are trying to stretch guys out to give us some versatility," Wakamatsu said.

Many of Seattle's questions might be answered by midseason. Tyler Johnson, still recovering from shoulder surgery, is likely to become Seattle's situational lefty out of the bullpen and the Mariners have hopes that Chad Cordero's recovery could return him to being the All-Star closer he once was with Washington.