g84 | Welcome to the Bigs, BB!

Mariners 3 | Padres 1

At the start of play today...
Blake was the 10th rookie on the M's 25-man roster this season and the 7th to make his major league debut and the M's were the last team in the majors to require a sixth starter.

At the end of the game...
Blake was the first Mariner to debut with an outing of 7 innings and only one run and he collected his first major league victory!

90 pitches | 7 innings | 3 hits | 1 earned run | 2 walks | 4 strikeouts

AP PHOTO

Way to go, Blake ~ Welcome to Seattle!

Not a lot of offense, as per usual, but just enough (Doug's got to be a bit envious)...
-Ichiro singled and stole second in the first
-Adam came through with his usual clutch RBI to drive Ichiro in
-Justin and Dustin with back-to-back sac-flys in the 3rd (Justin's oh-so-close to a grand slam!)

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The bullpen was effective...
-David was a little shaky, loading the bases in the 8th, but got out of it unscathed.
-Brandon came in (fresh off his first all-star selection!) to rack up his major league-leading 22nd save!

Nice DEE all around!


This season's early returns on Cliff Lee...

MAJORS
Justin Smoak
.240/.343/.443/.786
12 HR - 19 2B - 42 BB - 41 RBI

Aaron Laffey (swapped for Matt Lawson in ST)
1-1 w/ 1.93ERA in 32.2IP and 17K

Blake Beavan
1-0 w/ 1.29ERA in 7IP and 4K (major league debut)

MINORS
Josh Lueke
2-3 w/ 2.86 ERA in 32.2IP and 29K

Last, but not least...
Congratulations to Felix and Brandon - the M's representatives at the 2011 All Star Game!

AP PHOTO

g73 | Seriously?!?

Mariners 5 | Nationals 6

This will be brief...
#1 because I didn't see any of the game and, unfortunately, only heard the 9th inning
#2 because I just cleaned up from diner for nine and then walked the dogs and I'm tired
#3 because I have no desire to relive the heartbreak any more than absolutely necessary

So, the M's bats FINALLY give Mr. (lowest run-support in the league) Fister some runs...
FIVE of 'em!
Actually, he helped out his own cause, collecting an RBI single in the 4th.  Doug pitched an AWESOME game, basically picking up where Mr. Vargas left off on Sunday - only had 99 pitches through EIGHT but, Eric went with Brandon in the 9th (probably figured he needed work, since he hadn't pitched since Friday) and both he and David had meltdowns.

Going into the bottom of the 9th, the score was 5-1 M's...
the first batter got to 2B on an error by Justin and the next batter reached via a walk.  But then, the third double-play of the game was turned and, even thought there was now a runner at 3B, there was every reason to think it would soon be over and the M's would be celebrating in the nation's capital for the evening. But, 't was not to be.  Next an RBI single and the Nat's were a one step closer (5-2) with a runner on and one out.  Mike Morse, of all people, then singled off Brandon's leg and he had to leave the game.

Enter David Pauley, with runners at 1B and 2B with two outs...
He threw THREE pitches and FOUR runs scored - a single on the first pitch and a home run on the third.

And, it would appear that Mr. Fister is the hardest luck pitcher in all of baseball.

There was a LOT of good prior to the bottom of the 9th besides Doug's performance... 
-Dustin had another hit and TWO RBI and was a part of each of the THREE double-plays
-Guti had THREE hits, scored a run and stole a base
-Ichiro, Brendon, Adam and Justin combined to go 9 for 19 w/FOUR runs, FOUR RBI and ONE walk

One more thing...
if the old saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" is true - Doug must be approaching bionic status by now.

g69 | a W and a day off at home after 20-straight

Great outing by EriKKKKK...
NINTY-SIX pitches - SEVEN innings - THREE hits - NO earned runs - NO walks - FIVE strikeouts

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David had a rare shaky inning but got out of it with limited damage...

Two walks and a single scored ONE but then he was able to get the third out on a K (Abreu)

Brandon with save number...
NINETEEN (league-leading btw)

And, how 'bout Ichi-Fig?!
They combined for 4 for 7 (including 3 doubles!) with 2 runs scored, 2 walks and 2 stolen bases and Ichiro had his 5th multi-hit game (10 for 21 overall) since his day off.

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MILESTONE:  Ichiro's steal of 3B in the 1st inning was his 17th of the season and the 400th of his major league career

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New ways to gather RBI...

After two strikes in the bottom of the 7th, Carlos worked the count to 2-2 before he hit a pitch up-the-middle and caught a HUGE break as the ball caught the corner of the 2B bag and bounced into centerfield allowing TWO runs to score.

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Another first!

Greg Halman with his FIRST BIG LEAGUE HOME RUN!

Always a bonus when you get a homer from your late-inning defensive replacement.  Extra bonus when his dad and brother were in attendance :-)

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Really lovely to see the clean, crisp D tonight...

Mike Carp made an AWESOME catch in left field - made a jump, braced himself on the wall and the ball fell into his glove like he'd been doing it forever (not bad for a DH/1B).  Guti made a great, diving catch (nothing new there) and Brendan had a nice play in the 9th to get a runner by his chinney-chin-chin. 

So they end a string of TWENTY straight games with a WIN (11-9 overall)...
Day off at home tomorrow and then come the Phillies.

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Oh yeah, apparently the M's will have a new player on their 25-man roster come Friday...

Dustin Ackley has (FINALLY) been recalled from Triple A

Luis the latest casualty (cuz he's got options).  Good Luck, Luis!  Hope you are back soon.

g64 | extra bases growing on trees!

Mariners 3 | Tigers 2

Well, slightly different lineup tonight, as in...
No Ichiro for the first time since August 31, 2009 (255 games) and Chone Figgins leading off for the first time ever in a Mariner uniform.  I wasn't surprised to see Carlos Peguero and Greg Halman in the lineup at the same time (w/Ichiro out) but I was a bit surprised at their places in the field - thought Carlos would be in left and Greg in right instead of the reverse.  Also thought that Carp might be in again but, it was Cust at DH instead.

How did it go?  
Great!

Not saying it was the line up shuffle that did the trick... 
(some pretty fancy pitching had a lot to do with it) but, Figgy did collect TWO hits (a double and a single) but didn't score.  The M's had NINE total hits and SEVEN were for extra bases - TWO homers (Justin and Piggy), ONE triple (Piggy) and FOUR doubles (Guti, Figgy and Adam-2).  The RBI's were collected by Justin, Piggy and Chris.

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About that pitching...
Erik didn't go long, but he did go good ('cept for the walks) 5IP - 3H - 2ER - 3BB - 6K
Then the "budget pen" came in and shut.the.door.  Chris, David and Brandon combined for FOUR shutout innings, giving up only TWO hits, NO walks and striking out FIVE.  Brandon with his 18th save.

Wedge Words...
"Warrior effort by the bullpen."  


Bonus Baseball...
I was given some tix for the M's / Halos next Tuesday at (I had been going to exchange one of my tickets but, now I don't have too!).

I missed out on the season ticket holders half-price offer for the Marlins "home games" later this month but, I did order a ticket at regular price for the Friday night game of that series.  It should be fun sto see the M's wearing gray at home and their pitchers swinging a bat at The Safe!

g50 | on > over > IN

Mariners 4 | Yankees 3

Picking up Pineda - 't was a beautiful thing.

DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

We all wondered how he would handle a little adversity ~ what adjustments he would be able to make ~ pitch to pitch, batter to batter, inning to inning.  I can say with confidence, Michael handled it splendidly.

Going into this game, he had a 4.36 K to BB ratio. Tonight, for this game, it was even - 5K, 5BB (hence a quickly elevated pitch count).  Yet, despite his command/control issues and the solo shot by Teixiera, - Michael hung in there through five and still gave his team a chance to win allowing only 3 hits and 3 runs to the most potent offense in the AL.

Like they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.  He was far from "killed" and something tells me he's going to make like a sponge and absorb every drop of learning that can come from an outing like this.

Who gives a rip about hits w/RISP?
What really matters, as the M's showed the pin-stripers tonight, is RBI w/RISP.  The M's were 0-8 w/RISP, but ALL of their FOUR runs came via ground out or fielder's choice as they scraped and scrapped to get their phenom off the hook and reach the .500 mark and half game out of first place.

It all started in the bottom of the 5th ...
Brendan singled, Ichi doubled, Luis and Justin each grounded out and each picked up an RBI.  The M's were within one.

Then, in the 6th, a similar story...
Adam and Miggy singled and Carlos's walk loaded the bases.  Brendan grounded into a FC, Ichiro grounded out and each picked up an RBI.  The M's had the lead for the first time and it would not be relinquished.

Let's give it up for the BP!
They were stellar, as has been the case more often than not...
David (WIN), Jamey (HOLD) and Brandon (SAVE) combined for 4IP - 2H - 0ER -1BB

DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Oh, and then there was the little matter of the D
Guti was back in his rightful place in Safeco Field's center field and doing his level best to murder all things flying including his 4th inning third out thievery of Swisher's home run.

DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

As for the infield, no double plays were turned (on either side) but the M's showed some solid, capable play.  Adam got the most put outs (5), Luis filled in fine at 3B making a couple PO of his own and Justin snared an at 'em ball.

And then there's Brendan (I knew there was a reason he was quickly becoming one of my fav's - besides his attitude - he's actually got aptitude!).  He showed some rangy plays for outs, but, probably the best was when he and Jamey teamed up to pick Nunez off 2B - it's all about the "eye contact".  They are always great, but was really nice about that third out, was that it meant Brandon would face Swisher (who was at bat during the pick off), Gardner and Jeter in the 9th instead of Gardner, Jeter and Granderson.

DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Just a great win from a team that found a way to win when their biggest strength faltered for a night.

Next up ~ Happy Felix Day!

g46 | sweep. complete.

Mariners 6 | Padres 1

The scoreless innings streak by the M's starters came to an end at 26 when the Padres scored a run off Felix in the 7th inning but, with the win today the M's complete the sweep - and outscore the Padres in the series 14-2.

from Geoff Baker's blog

Just another Happy Felix Day..
He recorded THIRTEEN strikeouts in his EIGHT innings of work and extended another M's starters' streak of consecutive starts of 7+ innings to NINE.

How 'bout a little love for Mr. Pauley?
David threw another scoreless inning in the 9th and, with his next start may possibly see his ERA dip BELOW one - yowsa!

More than a little O...
FIFTEEN HITS!  (we won't focus on the 4/15 w/RISP)
Miggy has been behind the plate for most of this terrific run that the pitchers have been on but today, he was able to contribute at the plate and on the bases, going 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and a stolen base.  Piggy and Brendan each had 2-run doubles and Justin and Adam were both 2 for 5 with 1 run scored.  Ichi only went 1 for 5 but recorded an RBI.  Guti took to centerfield in the 7th and showed that he's not lost any arm strength, throwing out a base-runner at 3B and showing his bat coming around in his only AB in the 9th - a solid RBI single for the M's 6th run of the game.

Off they go to Target Field to take on the Twins.  Pray the tornadoes stay away.

g45 | Michael, you are spoiling us...

Mariners 4 | Padres 0

"Today is a big day for me." -Michael Pineda

Yes, it was, Michael.  Yes it was...  
One of these days, you may struggle but, until then, we'll continue to feel pretty confident on
Diabolical Day = 99P - 7IP - 2H - 0ER - 1BB - 9K

The Padres were Pineda'd...
Michael retired the side in order four times and struck out the side in his last inning.

AP PHOTO

Bully, bully...

David also struck out the side in his one inning of work - the 8th

Jamey made things a bit interesting in the 9th, after striking out his first batter, he allowed two singles, but then got a fly out and a ground out and that would be the ballgame.

The offense, while not flashy, got things done...  
There were three doubles (including Mike Wilson's first major league extra base hit) but there was also a sac-fly (Jack W), a first to third that would later score (Brendan) and opportunity taken when Jack W scored on a bad pick off attempt at 3B by the catcher.  Those good, old fundamentals (like I was talking about in the previous post) execute like that behind pitching like this and more often than not it will result in a W

AP PHOTO

Wilson and Wilson...
Jack and Mike (FINALLY, a start!) combined to go 4-7 with three RBI and one run scored.

Guti comin' 'round...
he had his first hit since coming off the DL and he scored a run.

Ichi off the schnide...
snapped and 0-10 with a solid single

One other little note...
I've liked Brendon Ryan since day one.  Yeah, he's not exactly lighting it up with the bat (though he had a great night tonight) and he can be frustrating on D at times (making awesome plays and then booting routine ones) but he is very accountable and always positive.  Shannon passed along a little nugget on the post game show that, as a fan, I really appreciated.  Apparently, well after our game ended, Brendan was sitting in the clubhouse, still in full uniform, watching the Angels / Braves game.  And, as I type this is just went final.  I can just envision him cheering :-)

g19 | "this" close to taking the series

Mariners 2 | Tigers 3

on the mound
I'm not sure how much longer it'll take, but I sense the natives getting restless with Erik and "getting his work in".  Today he was able to go longer (5IP)and give up fewer runs (3) than his last couple of outings, but he also allowed five walks.  It's getting a bit difficult to assess progress - but I'll still hold out a bit of hope.

As for his relief, David Pauley was great!  4IP - 1H - 0ER - 0BB - 1K
THAT is what you call reliable long relief and definitely giving the team the chance to win.

at the plate
Adam gets an honorable mention for his solo shot in the 9th that brought then to within one run.
Carlos Peguero made his major league debut ... and went o'fer, including a strikeout to end the game :(

Overall the bats were o'fer nine - nuf said.

of base paths and leather works
No DP's - No SB's

g17 | so sorry, Jason

Mariners 3 | TIgers 8

AP

on the mound
Jason definitely didn't have his "A" stuff tonight but, man, did he battle!  He threw more pitches in his six innings tonight than he did an any of his starts last season.  The 1st and the 4th were easy ~ 1-2-3 but but other than that, don't think I've ever seen a pitcher work harder.
(114P - 6IP - 6H - 2ER - 2BB - 4K)

• 2nd - three straight singles but only one run (and 34 pitches)
• 3rd - one walk, but no runs
• 5th - strands a lead off double
• 6th - a walk, a double, a single and a 12-pitch AB to the batter who made the third out

Josh Lueke - yikes!
He only recorded one out (sac bunt) and allowed 2 runs on 3 singles, a walk and a wild pitch in the 7th

Chris Ray took over with runners at 1B and 2B and only one out and it didn't get any better.  He promptly walked the first batter to load the bases and then let loose a wild pitch that scored a run.  But wait - there's more!  After throwing three straight balls to the next batter he throws a called strike and then a strike that is hit for a THREE-RUN TRIPLE.

Jason's effort deserved SO much better than this.

The only bright spots in the pen came too late...
Pauley (8th) and Wilhelmsen (9th) combined for two scoreless innings

at the plate

• Milton hit his second homer of the season with Figgy aboard (yes - he finally hit one where they weren't!) to give the M's a 2-1 the lead in the 3rd inning.
• Justin smoked his second homer - a solo shot - into the bullpen in the 8th
• almost got to double-digit hits (9)
• added another SEVEN to their league-leading walk total
• unfortunately, racked up some more o'fers with RISP (six tonight)

of base paths and leather works

• Figgy out at 3B on a double steal attempt
• Error on a throw by MB - runner scores to tie the game at 2 in the 6th
• Brendon muffs a hot shot grounder (not an error) that should have been third out in the 6th

g14 | A L m o s t (yeah, I know, grenades and horseshoes)

Mariners 5 | Royals 6

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

on the mound
Erik continues to struggle ... (106P - 4.2 - 7H - 4ER - 3BB - 6K)
To be expected when one has had three surgeries in the past two years - it's going to take some time.  The main thing is, he feels good and continues to build up his arm strength.  Obviously, he'll have to get deeper into games eventually but, this is the first time he went over 100 pitches.

The bullpen was decent...
Pauly and Laffey combined for 2.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout.

at the plate
Okay, this late inning stuff makes things a bit exciting, but can we please stop being too late to the party?
Today was actually the first time ALL SEASON the M's have scored in the first innning - Cust grounded out scoring Ichiro who had lead off with a double.  That double would stand as the ONLY hit until the EIGHTH inning.  In the 8th and 9th inning, the M's scored FOUR runs on FOUR hits and FOUR walks.  But alas, TLTL is becoming an all to familiar refrain.

Get this - the M's have scored just 19 runs in innings 1-6 and THRITY in innings 7-9.
Maybe they should play several innings simulated game prior to each real one .... argh!

of base paths and leather works
Not a whole lot here other than a steal of 2B by Luis - who, (surprise, surprise) was left stranded.

g9 | swept? more like turbo-vac'd

Mariners 4 | Indians 6

Nice grab in LF by Michael Saunders | AP Photo

on the mound
Well, that was a much different Erik than we saw in spring training (83P - 4IP - 10H - 6ER - 1BB - 6K)
Apparently still got some things to work on.  But, not surprising after nearly two years lost.

Now the bullpen was another story ... a GOOD one!
Pauley, Wright and League combined for FIVE scoreless innings, allowing only ONE hit, NO walks and striking out SIX.  In fact, the bullpen has been spectacular in this series.  Since Jason and Tom's supreme struggles in the home opener, the 'pen has gone TWELVE scoreless innings allowing only FOUR hits, TWO walks and striking out ELEVEN.  Not too shabby.

at the plate
~ Figgy drew his FIRST walk of the season in the 4th inning.
~ As many homers in this game (2 - Langerhas' second, Saunders first) as they had so far this season.
It seemed to me the M's have scored a good portion of their runs in the later innings, so I decided to check.  Sure enough, 16 of the M's 29 runs have come in the 7th inning or later.  Not sure if that's good or bad, just something to note.

of base paths and leather works

~ Ichiro with an outfield assist, but also an error on a throw.  

~ No DP's and no SB (in the entire series).

The Tribe sure can catch it in the outfield (especially xM, Choo!).  M's were robbed of at least a couple of doubles by great catches and at least a couple more by perfect placement (talk about at 'em balls!)

Tomorrow is Happy Felix Day!
Tuesday is Merry Michael Day!
(I think I'm going to have to exchange on of my weekend tix to see Michael's Safeco Field debut!)

g3 | dreams of brooms swept down the drain

Mariners 1 | Athletics 7

AP Photo

on the mound
Mr Fister had a nice curve working today but, threw too many pitches (98P - 5.2IP - 8H - 0BB - 2ER)
In his major league debut, Josh Lueke struck out the first batter he faced to end the 6th.  But, then came the nightmare that was the 7th.  Langerhans gave up a "sun double" and Lueke walked the next two batters.  With the bases loaded, he struck out Willingham but then gave up an RBI single to Matsui and that was it for him.  David Pauley came in and promptly hit Susuki and walked Ellis - both with the bases loaded.  Tom Wilhelmsen posted a one-two-three in the 8th for his major league debut (ground out, fly out, strikeout)

(can I just say.. Ellis. Is. A. Pest.)

at the plate
Langerhans' homer proved to be the sole Mariner run - whodathunk the first two homers would come from Ryan and Figgy?  The only other XBH were doubles by Bradley and Smoak - both were left stranded.  A golden opportunity was wasted in the 7th - Langerhans singled, Ryan walked, Wilson laid down a sac bunt to move both runners along but then Figgy struck out.  In the 9th, with the game well out of hand, Wedge gave his bench some work - Rodriguez flied out for Ryan and Kennedy struck out for Wilson.

of base paths and leather works
The most exciting defensive play of the day was reminiscent of Ichiro's "Star Wars" debut - Curt Susuki hit a fly ball to right and after Ichiro caught it, he threw out Matsui at 3B (who had gotten to 2B on a double that was his 2500th career hit).  Apparently, the A's have forgotten about Terrance Long ;-)

Figgy had a nice "recovery play" in the 3rd for the third out - he knocked down a hot shot but was able to get the runner at 1B by a hair (preventing the runner at 3B from scoring).  Bradley and Langerhans both had mixed performances in the OF.  The good - Langerhans with a diving, snowcone catch and Bradley with a sliding, back-handed one.  Unfortunately, there were also some issues with the high sky, as both outfielders gave up "sun doubles" that would both eventually score.

~ One DP (Ichiro to Figgy)
~ One SB (Wilson)
~ First error of the season (tricky hop for Brendan Ryan)

As for the other guys...
Crisp made an awesome sliding catch robbing Smoak of a solid single in the fourth and Gonzales made a "preservation catch" of an at 'em ball in the 6th (I must say, Gio seems to generally field his position very well).


Series win = good start
On to Texas they go (here's hoping they used up all their runs vs. the Red Sox ;-)

ST26 | vs. Rangers

Mariners 4 | Rangers 5

NOT SPECTACULAR MOUND PRESENCE TODAY
French gave up a lot of hits (NINE) in FIVE innings allowing THREE runs, ONE walk and ZERO K's.  The "W's" (Wilhelmsen and Wright) continued to cruise through spring and the "P's" (Pauley and Patterson) each gave up ONE run (Patterson's coming in the 10th as the winning run for the Rangers)

OFFENSE EARLY SPARK AND THEN A FIZZLE
Figgy hit his first homer of the spring in the first inning with Ichiro on base.  Bradley singled, moved to second when Cust grounded out and scored on Langerhans single.  Then the lull began, as only TWO player reached base (and NONE scored) until Seager homered in the 8th to tie the game at four.

DEFENSE LOOKING SOLID (even the backups)
Heard most of the game on the radio today (a rarity) and the guys seemed pretty pumped about the D.  Only ONE double play, but Moore recorded a pick-off and Josh Wilson made some nifty plays at 2B.

NEWS AND NOTES

• Felix's final tune-up | Seattle Times
• Laffey's new focus | Mariners.com

ST15 | vs. Cubbies

Mariners 5 | Cubs 3

DOUG WAS HARDLY SHARP
giving up TWO runs and THREE walks but, he did get through 4.1 innings and the rest of the staff only gave up ONE more run.  Pauley issued ONE walk but, ended up striking out the side in his ONE inning of work.

RUN, RUN, RUN and CATCH
THREE stolen bases today and TWO double plays!

NEWS AND NOTES

• Nate Robertson to have arthroscopic surgery | AP / Seattle PI
• Brenden Ryan's serious side | Larry Stone

ST10 | vs. Dodgers

Mariners 9 | Dodgers 4

M's BREAK OUT THE BATS!
THIRTEEN hits and NINE runs - yowsa!
Including a GRAND SLAM by ... Alex Liddi!

PITCHING PROGRESS
Especially those named Fister, League and Cortes (Olson, not so much) and Pauley just continues his strong spring.

TWO ERRORS
much as I hate them, spring's the time to make 'em - fix stuff when it doesn't really count.  Besides, NINE runs makes up for TWO errors pretty well.

NEWS AND NOTES

• Adam Moore - catching battle | Seattle Times
• Jack Wilson at 2B? | Kitsap Sun

ST5 | vs. Reds

M's 1 | Reds 3

MR FISTER NOT OFF TO A GREAT ST START
But, not horrible either.  And, the rest of the staff faired pretty well today, despite the loss.  One thing that stands out ... ZERO walks.

THE OFFENSE ON THE OTHER HAND
looked a bit too much like 2010 - only one EBH and only five hits total.

NICE COUPLE OF DP's THOUGH
Smoak to Wilson to Pauley AND Kazmar to Carp

NEWS AND NOTES
M's sign 4th rounder, James Paxton | Seattle Times

ST1 | vs. Pads

M's 6 | Padres 6

FISTER SHAKY FIRST THEN SETTLES AND PAULEY 2 SOLID INNINGS
others ~League, Ray, Olson and Seddon~ still in spring tune-up mode

YOUNG POWER-BOOST
two more home runs from the young outfielders (Halman and Chaves)

NEWS AND NOTES

• M's won't rush Ackley | Kitsap Sun
• Carp finds himself under the radar | MLB.com

NEXT UP...
Rangers visit Peoria

g161 | 100 is a very round number

Mariners 3 | Athletics 5


Well, at least this one was a bit more competitive ...
but, didn't matter in the end, at least 100 losses on the books for the 2010 M's

David made it interesting through 3.2 ...
retiring the first ELEVEN A's he faced but, with TWO out in the FOURTH gave up back-to-back solo shots to Mark Ellis (who ALWAYS seems to kill the M's over SO many years - even though he still looks about TWELVE) and Jack Cust.  Davis still had a decent outing, going SEVEN innings and giving up THREE homers (the other a 2-run jack by Chris Carter)

Nice to see some extra base hits from the young ones ...
Michael with his TENTH homer, Justin with TWO doubles (ONE rbi) and Adam with a double

g156 | wait, what ... RUNS, what are they?

Mariners 7 | Rangers 5 


SEVEN runs?  after SIX yesterday?
who are these guys and what have you done with my Mariners?

offense, it's a beautiful thing...
albeit too little, too late for this season but, good to see the young ones starting to come through (FIVE of the 10 hits and THREE of the 7 runs were from "the future" (Justin, Adam, Greg)

David did a very nice job...
scattered EIGHT hits through SIX innings but, only gave up a couple runs and a couple walks.  Vavaro had a rough outing but the rest of the pen (Garrett, Jamie and Brandon) came through like charms, yielding only ONE hit and TWO K's over 2.2 IP.

g151 | HO-LY, HO-ZAY!!!

Mariners 6 | Blue Jays 3

one player, three homers, in one game?!?
Hasn't happened for the M's since 2002, when Cammy hit four (and dang close to five) in Chicago
Way to go, Lopey!!!  Two solo shots and a 2-runner (off three different pitchers!)

and kudos to Michael...
who added two RBI of his own with a 2-run homer in the 2nd to get the scoring started

and can't forget David P...
nice outing ~ 6IP-6H - 2R - 2BB - 2K ~ vs. a strong hitting team

After the game, David really praised his battery mate, saying that it has been great having his veteran presence around and that he appreciates the way he handles the pitching staff, whether he's behind the plate or on the bench.

Brandon made is a little interesting, allowing a couple of hits and a run, but luckily had that "Jose cushion"

oh, and Ichiro two more hits...
only two away from 200 for the 10th straight season

Photos courtesy Matthew Manor/Getty Images