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....

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.

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).

g111 | pitching and catching...

Mariners 0 | Angels 1 (10)

Missed most of the game, as I was at "the race track" with "the girls"...  
As impotent as both the M's and the Halos offenses were tonight - my betting was even moreso ;-)

Weaver was on.  What else is new?
Certainly not a great match up to an M's offense that has struggled so mightily all season - and then the get to face the best pitcher in the AL - and just when they were starting to put something together (26 hits and 19 runs in the series sweep of the A's).

At least it was good to see Jason bounce back a bit after some extremely rough starts of late...
He was solid through six, scattering seven hits and walking only one - he was also able to escape when necessary.  Aaron, Jamey and Josh combined for three scoreless innings, surrendering only one hit and one walk.  Dan had no fun in the 10th - giving up a single to Hunter, who then advanced on a wild pitch (Wedge non too happey about the "crossed up" situation) and scored the winning, and only, run of the game on Well's single (outside, practically in the dirt).

Sounds like base-running was more than bit of an issue for the M's tonight...
Ichiro picked off 1B, Mike thrown out trying to steal 2B, Casper caught off 3B - argh!!

But hey, there's (ANOTHER) new kid in town...
Welcome to the bigs, Trayvon Robinson!  He struck out in his first AB and collected his first major league hit in his second AB - a solid single to left - off Jered Weaver, no less.  But, what he will be remembered for is his thievery of Torii Hunter - what a  catch!

AP PHOTO

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.

g108 | Blake and Dustin and Guti, oh my!

Mariners 8 | Athletics 4

Blake earned some MAJOR brownie points tonight...
He loaded the bases with NO outs in the 1st inning on 3 straight singles.  And then proceeded to get out of the inning unscathed (except for his pitch count) via two strikeouts and a fly out.  Way to go, Blake!  He went on to throw 113 pitches in 6.2 innings scattering 7 hits, allowing 3 runs, striking out 3 and walking 2.

DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Dustin is apparently joining some elite company with his propensity for extra base hits since arriving on the scene.  After tonight's 3-run triple and one double, he has 19 extra base hits in 38 games.  Griffey had 18 in his first 50 and Alvin Davis holds the club record for extra base hits in first 50 games - 26.  Keep it going, Dustin!

And then there was death-to-flying-things...
Guti was AWESOME in the field tonight - one of his catches even made SC Top Ten! (#10)
He made a total of NINE put-outs - never gets old.  AND, he had an RBI double and scored a run.

Justin came in after Figgy left with an injury...
and had two hits (including a double), a walk and scored 2 runs - very nice to see!

g86 | Series win and back to .500!

Mariners 4 | Athletics 2 (in 10)

I didn't see much of the game...
Just missed Dustin's lead-off home run in the 7th that gave the M's the 2-1 lead and, apparently, Dustin was responsible for the first run as well - he singled, stole 2B, took 3B on an error and scored on Carlos's sac-fly in the 2nd.

AP PHOTO

Seems there was some base-running excitement (from both sides!)

-stolen bases by Dustin and both Suzukis

-attempted thievery thwarted (K Suzuki, Weeks, Crisp)

And, despite the usual severe lack of O (although Cahill is no chump) all was seemingly going well, with Felix looking like his All-Star, Cy Young self...
8.0IP - 4H - 1ER - 0BB - 10K
shame, shame, shame that he did not get the win.

Talk about the perfect 1000 words... (and this was even before the 9th)

Getty Images

Brandon had a bit of a set-back...
he had not allowed a run and had gond 14 for 14 in save opportunities in his last 20 appearances.  Well, even Mariano blows one now and then.  If only the offense could have provided just a bit more cushion, the A's run in the 9th would have been moot.

But what a recovery in the top of the 10th!
Guti, who had been 0 for 3 to that point, led off with a single (which Wedge would later categorize as his "best AB so far this season") and stole second.  Halman struck out and Ichiro was intentionally walked.  Brendan hit a ground ball to 2b, but Ichiro went in sliding and broke up the DP - Brendon was safe at 1B and Guti scored the go-ahead run.  And then Adam, who was also 0 for 3 so far, doubled in Brendan to give the M's a 4-2 cushion.

Getty Images

And then Jamey locked down the bottom of the 10th... 
The first pitch was a bunt attempt that Adam made a nice charging play on.  Then, FINALLY, Kurt Suzuki was retired (on a GB to SS) and then Sweeney struck out.

And so...
-Felix gets the ND
-Brandon gets the BS (and the W, which I'll never understand)
-Jamey gets the first S of his big league careen (hard to believe after 16 years!)

And, the Mariners are back to .500 and still 2.5 back of both the Rangers and the Halos!


By the way, though it's not a LARGE contingent, the King's Court apparently travels...

via Shannon Drayer's twitpic

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!

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 :-)

g38 | spittin' bristles in Baltimore

looks like posts have been restored and blogger is back in business.  Just in time for continuing bad news for the M's...

Mariners 1 | Orioles 2

Jason VARGAS was SPECTACULAR ~ 101P - 9IP - 7H - ZERO ER -1BB - 4K

So was Zach Britton ~ 108P - 9IP - 3H - ZERO ER - 0BB - 5K

The game went TWELVE innings 

There were a total of FIFTEEN hits - all SINGLES

The M’s turned FOUR double plays

It was a SCORELESS tie UNTIL Miggy’s RBI single in the TOP of the 12th

WRIGHT was great in his TWO scoreless innings of relief

Both WILSONS, Michael and Luis all made AWESOME catches

Yep - it’s all fun and games until somebody gets hit with the baseball, and then another somebody gets hit with the baseball and then another somebody hits the baseball and two runs score (the tying one, and the winning one) and that’s how Brandon blew his second consecutive save.  But hey, even Mo has blown two saves in a row this season.

g32 | M's K eleven times .... and WIN!

Mariners 3 | Rangers 1

Jason was awesome tonight...
98P - 7.2IP - 6H - 1R - 2BB - 3K
That's a good line for any pitcher against any team - against the Rangers, it's suPERB!
Way. to. go. Jason!

AP PHOTO

Brandon NINE of NINE in save ops...
K, ground out, K
Coolio.

AP PHOTO

Justin keeps on keepin' on ... 
-left-haned homer to the Mariner pen
-a double to deep center
-a single in the 8th

AP PHOTO

Some other O contributors...
-Brendan gets off the schnide a bit with a lead off double in the 3rd
-Luis also doubles in the inning, plating Brendan for the 2-0 lead
-Team effort in the 7th - Jack W singles, Michael sacrifices him to 2B and Ichiro drives him in for the third Mariner run.

AP PHOTO

Nice D behind Jason, Jamey and Brandon...
-a couple of nice DP's (both started by Brendan)
-Jack with a great diving play to get the speedy Borbon
-Brendan with a solid play on a bouncing ball to get the second out of the 9th inning
Yes, Brendan's name is listed a lot.  After a bit of a rocky start in the field, he seems to finally be settling in defensively.  Hopefully, his hit tonight will be the start of something for him at the plate.

AP PHOTO

Another series win (third in-a-row!)

AP PHOTO

g29 | oh, that high sky....

Mariners 2 | Red Sox 3

Getty Images

Felix's first inning was a bit shaky but he got through it without giving up a run.  He cruised through the second and then in the third, the Red Sox would collect 3 of their 8 hits and 2 of their 3 runs and Felix would see his pitch count soar.  But, he settled down and retired 10 in-a-row at one point before getting through the 7th after a single and a wild pitch.  As usual, he also fielded his position well.

Not much offense mustered up today vs. Tim Wakefield (I seem to remember that even in the years when they had a potent offense they could never do much with a knuckle baller).  But, in the 6th the leaders of bases-loaded walks would strike again vs. Jenks - and record their only two runs in that manner (they now have nine of such on the season - 5 of which belong to Jack Cust).

Jamey had a great 8th but, after recording one out in the 9th, Ichiro lost a ball in the sun that resulted in a Jed Lowrie triple who would later score the winning run off Carl Crawford's single.

Oh well, we'll take the 2 out of 3 and the 5-1 road trip.

Bring on the Rangers!

g27 | winning road trip secured!

Mariners 5 | Red Sox 4


Justin picked up right where he left off in Detroit...
he drove in TWO (Figgy and Miggy) via a two-out single (really nice to get some early runs).  The Sox got to within one run in the bottome of the 2nd when Cammy hit a solo shot that even the Red Sox fans were calling "cheap".  In the bottom of the 3rd, the Sox got a break when Jason had the lead-off batter struck out on a foul tip on 3-2 count but the 1B ump said the ball hit the dirt (it didn't - Miggy caught it cleanly).  On the next pitch, the batter walked but was erased on the next play, a FC and the next batter flied out.  That would have been the end of it, if the home plate ump would have over-ruled the 1B ump on the foul tip.  Instead a couple more singles yielded a couple more runs to take a 3-2 lead and Cammy's totally NOT cheap shot over the Green Monster in the 4th would make it 4-2.

The M's turned a couple of nice DP's in the next couple of innings...
To end the 4th, Brenden tagged a runner between 2B and 3B then threw to Justin.  Then in the 5th, Big Pappy hit a laser shot right into Justin's glove and caught Youk offf the bag.

The M's were able to pull within one run in the 5th (after DiceK left with an injury) by way of a couple of singles and a FC.  And then Jason cruised through the 5th, 6th and 7th - retiring all nine batters in order (after giving up 4 runs on 8 hits in the first 4 innings).  And Jamey and League did their respective things for the Hold and the Save.

It was the top of the 7th when the M's took the lead again via an Ichiro single, a Figgy double,  Miggy ground out (Ichi scored to tie it) a Justin walk and a CUST RBI DOUBLE (which would prove to be the game-winner) made it 5-4 M's!

AP Photo

They would threaten in the 8th with a couple of walks (Michael and Ichiro) but Figgy hit into a DP :-(to end it.  A couple of LONG, loud outs off the first two batters in the 9th - one into the glove of Michael, one into the glove of Ichiro and then Brandon strikes out PH JD Drew

Congrats to Jason!  First win since August 14, 2010

AP Photo

g23 | split series

Mariners 2 | Athletics 5

AP Photo

Being that it was Easter AND my hubby's birthday, didn't get to watch/listen to much of this game - busy preparing for early dinner guests.

I gather that the gist of it was same old, same old ...
Mr. Fister was simply stellar but both the offense AND the bullpen were simply stinker.  The bats mustered up all of six hits and two walks that equated to only two runs.  Oh yes, and there was the recurring theme of 0 fer 8 w/RISP.  The bullpen was no help what so ever - Laffey, Wright and League combined to yield four runs in three innings (which means that Wright finally has an ERA - I guess it was bound to happen).

Poor Mr. Fister - he definitely deserved better.  Not only did he pitch well (accomplishing things like stranding a lead-off triple) but he fielded his position well (like fielding a bunt and turning to get the out at second, negating the bunt).

Overall the defense was OK, but Figgy let one slip through the wickets.

Skips clips...

"These guys are going to have to fight through what ever they are going through mentally or fundamentally for that matter."

g18 | Mr Fister gets some run support!

Mariners 13 | Tigers 3

AP Photo

On a night when the team plays with a heavy heart in support of teammate Justin Smoak....
Prior to the game, Justin was placed on the bereavement list in order to fly home to North Carolina and be with his family as his father was gravely ill (diagnosed with lung cancer several months ago).  Unfortunately, late in the game, we found out that his father had indeed passed away.

on the mound
Mr. Fister was cool as a cucumber (110P - 6.1 IP - 6H - 2ER - 2BB - 7K), the bats were smokin' hot and the combination added up to VICTORY (for pitcher and team)!
By the way, the M's scored exactly ONE run in each of Doug's previous THREE starts

Jamie Wright entered the game in the 7th inning...
with the bases loaded and one out.  He threw ONE pitch and got EXACTLY what he wanted ....
a 4-6-3 double play.

Aaron Laffey had mop up duty...
He allowed a run on four hits and a couple of walks but, considering the score was 11-2 at the point he entered the game, that was focused enough.

at the plate
Where to begin?!?
Every starter but two (Jack and Brendon) had as least ONE hit...

• the hitless (Jack and Brendon) = 1R - 1RBI - 4BB
• Ichi-Fig = 7H - 6R - 5RBI - 2BB
• 3-4-5 (Bradley-Cust-Olivo) = 3H - 2R - 4RBI - 3BB
• 8-9 (Gimenez, Saunders) = 5H - 4R - 2RBI - 2BB

No homers but another ELEVEN WALKS...
M's lead the majors with 79 (next closest, Boston with 67 - league average is 52)

of base paths and leather works

• THREE double-plays (vs. NONE hit into)
• THREE stolen bases (Ichi 2, Figgy 1)

Gotta love Brendon Ryan ... 
he was absolutely giddy in his interview after the game [paraphrased]  "Nice to play with a lead for a change.  Have we scored in the first inning yet?  How many'd we get. 2?  4!?!  Love Fisty's intensity, his passion and energy, love playing behind him.  He's always picking you up in the dugout, whether he's pitching or not."
As for not getting one of the 15 hits ...
'Well, I sped up the game, gotta move it along.'

;-)

g12 | Jason bounces back, bullpen implodes

Mariners 3 | Blue Jays 8

Due to the afternoon first pitch, I was unable to watch or even listen to the game.  Good thing.  I'd have nearly wept for Jason.  Looking at the box score, seems he left the Cleveland game long behind and put in a fabulous performance (105P - 6.2IP - 5H - 1ER - 1BB - 7K).  After striking out his 7th batter for the second out in the 7th inning, Wedge took him out in favor or Wright who fanned the only guy he faced.  The curious part was that Wedge didn't continue with Wright, but instead opted to go with Ray - and that's where the  bullpen's 17 inning scoreless streak came to an end.  Ray promptly gave up two singles and a home run and then, after a couple of doubles, and a couple more runs, Ray was out and Lueke was in.  Josh wasn't on either and gave up a run before being relieved by Wilhelmson who allowed another.

Poor Jason.


Nice catch, Milton!

AP Photo

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!)

g5 | a prince before the king...

Mariners 2 | Rangers 3

Pitching duel, in ARLINGTON?!

on the moun
Michael Pineda struck out the first batter he faced from a major league mound.  He then he induced a ground out and recorded a second strikeout to end the inning.  In the second inning, after getting the first two batters to fly out, he allowed a walk and then a triple (that apparently Saunders should have caught instead of climbing the wall) and the Rangers scored their first run.  Michael showed good adjustment and great poise as he proceeded to retire the next EIGHT batters until things unraveled a bit in the 6th when he gave up a single and a couple of doubles and the Rangers got their other two runs.  That would be it for MP (84P - 6IP - 5H - 3ER -1BB - 4K).
Not too shabby for a rookie pitcher against THAT lineup.
And, oh by the way, Pineda was the first Mariner rookie pitcher to make the Opening Day rotation since Freddy Garcia in 1999 AND the first Mariner pitcher to go 6 innings in his major league debut since Joel Pineiro in 2000.

And lookie here, amidst all the love for MP, what's up with Jamie Wright?!?  Another TWO scoreless innings?  Awesome.

The first game this season where the Rangers were held homer-less AND to less than FIVE runs.

Kudos go to Ogondo, the Rangers young starter, who was also making his first start (although he pictched out of the bullpen for the Rangers last season).

at the plate
Well, bad news for the most part - only 2 for 7 w/RISP tonight.

The 7th was the best scoring opportunity (off old friend, Mark Lowe) when FOUR singles would net TWO runs but, it could have been SO much more.  Figgy popped up with the bases loaded and then Milton was ROBBED of a bases-loaded double by the CF'er Borbon.

Adam Kennedy got the start at 2B tonight and had a couple of hits and scored a run.

of base paths and leather works
Not much to say here - no stolen bases and no double-plays (but there were none on the other side either)

So, it goes in the books as a loss but, I can't help but feel encouraged for the future that we have another young phenom in the making ~ we now have a Prince to go with our King.

Speaking of kings...
He takes the hill tomorrow at 11:05am

ST23 | vs. Royals

Mariners 8 | Royals 9

NOT THE TYPICAL PITCHING AND DEFENSE WE'VE SEEN

Fister struggled, Ring finally gave up a couple of runs and League continued his sad spring.  Wright was the only arm to escape unscathed.  Figgy and Josh both recorded errors.

L COLUMN DESPITE THE DOUBLE-DIGIT HITS

Including FOUR doubles and ONE home run (Saunders - who also had one of the doubles AND a stolen base)

NEWS AND NOTES

• Olivo returns | The News Tribune
• Guti's gut still not good | Kitsap Sun

ST20 | vs. Pads

Mariners 4 | Padres 1

Now THIS game I really enjoyed ~ because I was THERE :-)

ERIK CONTINUED HIS SOLID SPRING
allowing ONE run on FIVE scattered hits with ONE walk and TWO strikeouts

THE PEN PICKED UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Wright, Lueke and League combined for FOUR scoreless innings w/ League finally earning a SAVE

IN THE FIELD
Figgy had an error, but lets focus on the THREE double-plays, Milton's outfield assist, Wright's pick-off and an awesome diving catch by Langerhans!  That's the D I want to see!

The weather was perfect - not too hot for this pale Seattelite :-)
It was fun to meet up with Lonnie and Matt prior to that game and enjoy a Buca de Beppo lunch!

NEW AND NOTES

• Some old familiar faces in camp | The Herald
• Feast of Famine for Cust's spring | Seattle Times