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.

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...

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?

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

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!

g130 | oh those ducks on the pond

Mariners 2 | White Sox 4

Charlie had a rough first, giving up two runs and throwing a ton of pitches...
but, he managed to hang in there for five full (to get the loss).

The bullpen was great...
Tom and Jeff combined for FOUR shutout innings, allowing only TWO hits, TWO walks and striking out FOUR.

The O had their chances, racking up another double-digit night of hits (10)...
but, they stranded way too many runners (bases loaded TWICE and didn't score)

Sorry for the boring recaps (and I know it hasn't been the only one lately) life is busy...

g119 | second series win vs. the sox!

Mariners 5 | Red Sox 3

A little light on the recap, since I was exploring Orcas Island with my daughter and her boyfriend (who are visiting from Austin, TX)

Way to go, Charlie!
His best start, so far, as a Mariner comes against one of the most powerful lineups in baseball!
95 pitches ~ 7 innings ~ 4 hits ~ 1 earned run ~ 2 walks ~ 6 strikeouts

AP

Jeff had a bit of an issue in the 8th, giving up a couple of runs on a Youkilis homer but, Brandon came in again in the 9th and retired the side in order for his 29th save.

Miggy was the only Mariner to not record at least one hit, so all the "streaks" remained in tact (Mike at 14, Ichiro at 10 and Guti at 7).  Willie gets his first hit (a double) as a Mariner and Casper hits his second homer in as many games.

A sweep would have been nice, but great to see "the kids" getting the job done :-)

g114 | oh those base on balls...

Mariners 2 | Rangers 9

The good news is that 50% of the Mariners hits were for extra bases.
The bad news is they only had SIX hits.

The REALLY bad news is that Mariners pitchers walked SEVEN Rangers and FIVE of them scored.
Suffice it to say that Charlie's second start with the M's wasn't quite up to par with his first.  But, these are the Texas Rangers and boy, can they hit.

g110 | series sweep!!!

Mariners 7 | Athletics 4

Welcome to Seattle Charlie!
Nice to see Mr. Furbush get a victory in his first Seattle start.  He only went 5 innings (65 pitches) but also only allowed two hits and one run and NO walks with three strikeouts.  It was his first start since July 9th (when he was with the Tigers) where he only made it 2.2 innings in a loss to the Royals.  Previous to that, on July 4th, he took a loss vs. the Halos (and only went 4.2IP).  Charlie retired the first 12 batters he faced and then allowed back-to-back doubles before getting the next batter to fly out to Guti who then apparently (I read in a tweet since I didn't see the game) made an awesome throw to get Sizemore at 3B.

And how 'bout those bats?
FOURTEEN hits - granted, they were all singles, but not a bad single to run ratio.  Everyone 'cept Greg (0-4 w/3 K's - ouch!) contributed.  Guti went 0-fer as well, but did have an RBI.  Jack and Josh each had one hit (Josh's good for 2-RBI).  And, apparently, Jack played a pretty mean 3B (his first time ever).  Everyone else in the lineup had multiple hits.  Ichiro and Mike both went 3-5, Casper and Mike each good for 2 RBI.  Yes - a good day it was.

And then the 'pen...

Josh Lueke and Jamey combined for 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits and 2 walks.

Jeff Gray had a bit of a rough go in the 9th though...
leading by 5 runs (6-1) he allowed 2 singles and a home run.  Cortes came in and got a pop-up and then walked a batter.  By then it was a close situation - enter Mr. League for his 26th save.

So far, seems like the Seattle/Detroit trade has been a win-win.  

the players from D to S...
In his three games as a Mariner, Casper has five hits (including a homer), three runs, four RBI and a stolen base - not too shabby! And, as already mentioned, Charlie got his first win in his first start.
(and, there's still Martinez and the PLTBNL!)

the players from S to D...

Nice to see that our old friend Mr. Fister finally got his 4th win today in a Tiggers uni.

David has only pitched 2/3 of an inning in Detroit so far, but got a hold.