U.S.S. Mariner

17 Apr

Game 14, Mariners at Red Sox

8:05 AM. Radio only. I don’t think I’ll even be able to get this on MLB Extra Innings if I skipped out on work (not that I’d consider staying home from work to watch a Meche start, or anything. I’m totally happy with my job. No, really. Don’t send me job openings for program managers or anything.)

I understand that this bizarre start time is due to Patriot’s Day, which celebrates the April 19, 1775 Battle of Lexington and Concord. British Army troops were ordered to capture a strategic Dunkin’ Donuts franchise in Concord that was supplying colonial troops with delicious circular fried dough rations, hot coffee, and was a bastion of local outrageous accents.

The British were confronted by a small group of hardcore punk groups at Lexington, but their numbers were too small and they were forced to flee and nurse their anger. They were finally turned back at Concord by Minutemen and hassled by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and other ska bands, inflicting heavy casualties and emboldening future generations to do the running man free of the tyranny of Liam and Noel Gallagher.

Also the Boston Marathon is today. Sacrifice your knees while suffering excruciating pain masked by the conflict between your body’s fevered attempts to shut you down and your brain’s manic release of endorphins to mask the torture you’re going through. If you can run a seven minute mile, you should be running, not reading this. Unless you’re reading this just before the race starts.

After the game ends, the crowd is let out to the finish line, where they tell all the runners what a great game they missed, and relate the exploits of the beleoved hometown team.

426 Responses to “Game 14, Mariners at Red Sox”

  1. 1
    pjs24 Says:

    Please tell me that Rondell… er… Adrian Beltre will break out of this Dan Johnson-like funk sooner than later? It’s vomit-inducing.

  2. 2
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    As far as I am concerend, you stopped playing games before lunch once you hit high school. This 11am gametime is odd beyond belief.

  3. 3
    dw Says:

    Somewhat off-topic, [deleted, off-topic]

  4. 4
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    I haven’t had the opportunity to see Bonds hit yet this year, but I’ve read and heard from some that he just looks really damn awkward at the plate so far. Would you agree with that?

  5. 5
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    DiNardo = Bastard form of Leonardo DiCaprio.

  6. 6
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    And why are we not resting Beltre instead of Reed? Career WFB > current AB.

  7. 7
    billT Says:

    Despite his assertion that he’s not platooning Reed, this is the third time Hargrove has sat Reed against lefties. Sounds like a platoon to me.

  8. 8
    Norm Charlton Fan Club Says:

    This game’s on EI for me, with the Boston broadcast…man I feel for you guys out on the west coast with the 8 am start. Even watching this at 11 am seems way too early for me.

  9. 9
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Good thing: Johjima bats 5th.
    Bad thing: WFB plays center field. Grover has 5 outfielders on his roster and decides to give the spot start to his reserve middle infielder.

  10. 10
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    This just in . . Jojihma is batting 5th. Beltre in the 7 slot. They’ve got a long reliever starting in place of Wells - DeNardo.

  11. 11
    DMZ Says:

    NESN’s blacked out, Extra Innings blacked out. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

  12. 12
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    And it’s been so successful, 1-for-6 as best I can tell.

  13. 13
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    And go Ichiro!

  14. 14
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    Sorry, DiNardo.

  15. 15
    DMZ Says:

    Niehaus on PbP with Rizzs on color. My cup underfloweth.

  16. 16
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Now that’s just good ol’ fashioned baseball.

  17. 17
    Norm Charlton Fan Club Says:

    Nice slide by Ichiro, Manny almost got him with a great throw.

  18. 18
    Norm Charlton Fan Club Says:

    Well good news, Sexson doubles AND Beltre’s not up now to strike out!

  19. 19
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    So what gives with the hate on Rizzs? I get that Niehaus is starting to lose it, but Rizzs seems good whenever I get a chance to hear him.

  20. 20
    Sammy Says:

    woohoo, Jojima’s finally taken Beltre’s spot?!

  21. 21
    DMZ Says:

    Lineup batting averages after Johjima:
    .154
    .109
    .200
    .214

    The pitcher’s the biggest offensive threat in the bottom of the– oh.

  22. 22
    DMZ Says:

    Rizzs-hate’s been covered many, many times before. It’s not worth rehashing.

  23. 23
    Mr. Egaas Says:

    Lineup change! oooooohhhhh!

  24. 24
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    You think Ichiro feels jealous of Johjima at this stage? I wouldn’t have put money on Jo hitting .350 and Ichiro batting . . well . . not batting .350?

  25. 25
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    I tried to search for Rizzs hate-love, but I can’t seem to find the search for the site anymore. Did it get removed for a reason?

  26. 26
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Way to give it back.

  27. 27
    Sammy Says:

    Well, that was a really fun lead…

  28. 28
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    Rizzs short-list:

    1. Lack of insight
    2. Getting baseball stuff plain wrong at times
    3. feel-good warm fuzzies (think “Happy totals”) ALL THE TIME
    4. Team loyalty, but hardly ever a bad thing to say, even when there’s lots of bad things to say. (we know who pays you, but c’mon!)
    5. Overly repetitive play calling phrases.
    6. Not a very good story-teller.

  29. 29
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    I personally think he’s got a decent radio voice and is more tolerable than the current alternatives in the booth, however.

  30. 30
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Thanks 28.

  31. 31
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Most of those seem to be remedied by only hearing him 3-4 times a year.

  32. 32
    Dave Says:

    Don’t forget the child molester vibe he gives off during the kid’s innings at Safeco.

  33. 33
    DMZ Says:

    Insincerity is #1-10 on my list. All those things are true, but he’s so false and contrived.

  34. 34
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    except Niehaus, of course.

  35. 35
    dw Says:

    Rizzs-hate summarized:
    1. He’s smarmy.
    2. He loves “scrappy.”
    3. He plays favorites.
    4. He sounds like an afternoon drive DJ on Wichita’s Home For Classic Oldies And Fun! Imagine Niehaus saying that line there, then imagine Rizzs saying it.
    5. He’s a homer. Niehaus is too, but Rizzs is a fanboy.
    6. He just doesn’t do a good job communicating what’s going on on the field.

    Does that cover everything?

  36. 36
    dw Says:

    I missed the child molester vibe.

  37. 37
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Thanks for the extensive listing, gentlemen.

  38. 38
    DMZ Says:

    That may be the only way to walk Beltre: outside of the zone down and in, outside of the zone up and out.

  39. 39
    Tek Jansen Says:

    A BB is an improvement over an easy out. Now Thunderstick Bloomquist!

  40. 40
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    Out. Shocker.

  41. 41
    billT Says:

    We all know that that would have been a hit if Bloomquist had been getting regular playing time recently! Blame Hargrove!

  42. 42
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Oops. I meant Thunderstick Yubet!

  43. 43
    Sammy Says:

    another rbi for yunieski.

  44. 44
    Dave Says:

    So here’s the thing with Beltre’s walk - at no point did he ever look like he was even considering swinging. He was in full take mode. The 3-0 pitch was a 79 MPH meatball right down the middle, belt high. He wouldn’t have swung if the ball was put on a tee.

    The result is better, but that wasn’t great pitch recognition.

  45. 45
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    Yeah Betancourt! Why isn’t bloomy bunting and moving over runners, or taking as much as he can at the plate, rather than trying to hit. He can’t hit.

  46. 46
    DMZ Says:

    Meche now has to consider how best to give this run back. 5 HBP? Another solo home run to Cora, say?

  47. 47
    dw Says:

    I think a Cora grand slam would be more fitting.

  48. 48
    Russ Says:

    My biggest Rizzs issue. He never, ever shuts up. He cannot let a moment sit. He talks non stop, filling each second with brutally inane comments that neither provide insight or inform the listener.

    He hogs the airtime so if there is a color guy trying to work, the color guy simply has no opportuntity to add anything of use. Rizzs must purposely keep talking as to preclude another from saying anything.

  49. 49
    Dave Says:

    That change is lethal. Throw that more often.

  50. 50
    Dave Says:

    So he hangs a curve. What an idiot.

  51. 51
    billT Says:

    Is he the idiot or did Johjima call for the curve?

  52. 52
    Dave Says:

    He called Johjima out to the mound, so I’m pretty sure that was on Meche.

  53. 53
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Obviously, throwing strikes > throwing balls, but is there a % that a pitcher should throw?

  54. 54
    DMZ Says:

    If you’re at or about 50%, that’s trouble. Over 75% is either total domination or batting practice.

  55. 55
    ConorGlassey Says:

    Conversations that didn’t happen…

    Johjima: Hey, when I wiggle all four fingers, that means I want you to hang a curveball. Leave it up in the zone, nice and fat, m’kay?

    Meche: You’re the boss!

  56. 56
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Thanks

  57. 57
    Dave Says:

    It depends on the situation. 0-2, if you have a pitch with good movement that can dive out of the strike zone, there’s no real good reason for throwing a hittable pitch.

    A pitcher going real well will probably throw 75 percent strikes. A solid performance will be 60-70 %. 50% or worse and you’re sucking eggs.

  58. 58
    Dave Says:

    Another hanging curve. What a loser.

  59. 59
    DMZ Says:

    Wow, Joey Cora’s playing for the Red Sox.

  60. 60
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Well, there is your answer, Derek.

  61. 61
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    You guys don’t give Meche enough credit. He can give back that run in a myriad of ways, as you can see.

  62. 62
    Sammy Says:

    that was so so ugly.

  63. 63
    billT Says:

    Good thing we have Willie in CF today. At least Dave is ripping him over his non-throw there on the radio.

  64. 64
    Dave Says:

    Watching Gil Meche pitch is better than _________

    A. Contracting Mad Cow Disease
    B. Reading 100 consecutive Steve Kelly columns
    C. Watching Matt Thornton pitch
    D. None of the Above

  65. 65
    Sammy Says:

    The sox announcers were talking about how wfb might have hesitated because there was no one covering second

  66. 66
    Jake Says:

    The Red Sox broadcasting crew said that Bloomquist didn’t throw it in because nobody was at second base.

  67. 67
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    That seems more like a reason wfb WOULD HAVE thrown the ball in. I’m not sure I buy it.

  68. 68
    Rusty Says:

    I need A-Rod money to read 100 Steve Kelly columns.

  69. 69
    Benno Says:

    Any info on the “Kenji doesn’t call fastballs” report that came out his morning. On KJR Jayson Stark made the comment that a scout had mentioned that Kenji isn’t calling for the fastball with his fastball pitchers (Felix & Meche). Or is this more of the small sample sized theater?

  70. 70
    dw Says:

    I don’t see that. Felix was throwing plenty of fastballs last week.

  71. 71
    ConorGlassey Says:

    Isn’t there a hotline you can call to hear the broadcasts if you’re, say, stuck on a bus w/o a portable radio?
    Does anyone know that number?

  72. 72
    billT Says:

    He was but he had no control of it and it was coming in at very random speeds. I saw everything from 91 - 97. At one point, he went almost exclusively with his curve and change. For now, I’d say the reason for the lack of fastballs has been Felix’s complete inability to throw it consistently for strikes.

  73. 73
    Dave Says:

    Gil Meche’s Favorite Pitch: Ball One.

    He’s just such utter crap.

  74. 74
    DMZ Says:

    It’s funny because it’s true.

  75. 75
    Safeco Hobo Says:

    Watching over gamecast it almost appears like Meche is getting squeezed out of the zone…..Just about every BALL they have called has been borderline. Is this true?

  76. 76
    Dave Says:

    Nope.

  77. 77
    Sammy Says:

    Dave said:
    So he hangs a curve. What an idiot.

    Dave said:
    Another hanging curve. What a loser.

    Dave said:
    Watching Gil Meche pitch is better than _________
    A. Contracting Mad Cow Disease
    B. Reading 100 consecutive Steve Kelly columns
    C. Watching Matt Thornton pitch
    D. None of the Above

    Dave said:
    Gil Meche’s Favorite Pitch: Ball One.
    He’s just such utter crap.

    … just to recap.

  78. 78
    Dave Says:

    3-2, to a lefty - try the changeup…

  79. 79
    Dave Says:

    No, yet another curve. He’s so predictable.

  80. 80
    dw Says:

    Gamecast, for some reason, spots all the balls on the borders of the zone, unless it’s clearly out of it (e.g. pitch in the dirt).

    Really annoying.

  81. 81
    Dave Says:

    Changeup, strike three.

    Seriously, how hard was that?

  82. 82
    DMZ Says:

    Wow, Niehaus totally just slagged Everett’s left-handed swing. That’s so awesome.

  83. 83
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    M’s have a pretty interesting situation here. If they can pull this game out, stay close to 1st in the AL, they next open up a 9-game homestand and can put some distance between them and Texas. Unfortunately, there’s Detroit and the ChiSox coming to town after that, but I feel ok about Detroit and know Carlysaurus Rex will even the score against Guillen and friends each game of the series against Chicago. He was the heart and soul of their clubhouse after all, and seeing him in Mariner blue will only cause Chicago to become demoralized and give up, right? I actually feel pretty good with Felix opening the first series and closing out the second.

  84. 84
    Dave Says:

    Nicely done, C-Rex.

  85. 85
    Sammy Says:

    Thanks, Carl. Thanks a lot.

  86. 86
    Mike G. Says:

    So f’n terrible… where is Petagine???

  87. 87
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    I meant first in the AL West, of course.

  88. 88
    Mike G. Says:

    HIT HIT HIT!!!

  89. 89
    Dave Says:

    It took Beltre 9 pitches to get his first swing of the day.

    But I’ll take the base hit.

  90. 90
    dw Says:

    Beltre looked at two pitches over the plate?

    Never mind.

  91. 91
    Sammy Says:

    A well hit single, too; would have been a double in any other stadium.

  92. 92
    Tek Jansen Says:

    If Everett bats lefty against a lefty, then Grover should replace him with Petagine. And yes, it was fun listening to Niehaus insult him. Boy, Everett and Bloomquist created three outs around two base hits.

  93. 93
    billT Says:

    Furthermore, it sounded like a basehit off the wall, which means in a normal park, that ball might have actually gotten down for extra bases, which is definitely a positive sign for a guy still looking for his first XBH.

  94. 94
    dw Says:

    Yay for MR. SCRAPPY!! Clearly that would have been a homer and not a groundout if he played every day!

  95. 95
    Andren Says:

    Where was the ball (strikezone-wise) and what kind of pitch did Beltre hit?

  96. 96
    Dave Says:

    Fastball up and in.

  97. 97
    Dave Says:

    1-2, throw the change!

  98. 98
    Dave Says:

    85 MPH fastball… Ugh.

  99. 99
    Andren Says:

    Our pitchcounts have been astronomical thus far.

  100. 100
    Rusty Says:

    Now there’s an interesting tidbit… baseball wives running marathons. And I’m not being sarcastic here. That’s kind of cool.

  101. 101
    Tek Jansen Says:

    “Our pitchcounts have been astronomical thus far.”

    Yes. It is the secret way to insert K-machine Putz into the game. He has 14, which, I believe, is tied for the team lead.

  102. 102
    Mike G. Says:

    Y’know it’s still early and he hasn’t looked great but Meche hasn’t made me throw up in my mouth, not even a little bit. I thank him for that…for now.

  103. 103
    KW Says:

    Re: pitch counts, we *have* faced the two big Moneyball teams in a row. Still, the fact that we’re dumbly falling for their strategy doesn’t bode well.

  104. 104
    dkulich44 Says:

    How long until we start a “Get rid of the socks” petition for Ichiro.

  105. 105
    Andren Says:

    Anyone see it as a possibility for YuBet to rack up 45 doubles, 12 triples and 7-8 homers? Not now, of course, but after a few years of growth…maybe at 28?

  106. 106
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    I was browsing through stat this morning and I was noticing Ichiro!’s pitches per at bat.

    2001 - 3.39
    2002 - 3.48
    2003 - 3.50
    2004 - 3.51
    2005 - 3.58
    2006 - 3.75

    Obviously, we are still watching SSST, but is his increase this year a drastic change compared to 2005? Also, is this constant increase, (granted 02-04 appear insignificatn) typical as players age?

  107. 107
    John in L.A. Says:

    What in the hell??? I get up, it’s 9:26, I haven’t even had my coffee… and the games half over???

    That ain’t right.

  108. 108
    Andren Says:

    Good morning John. Hey, at least we’re tied!

  109. 109
    KW Says:

    Nice, quick inning for Meche.

  110. 110
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Nice low pitch inning for Meche. I am enjoying this string of starts by M’s pitchers. It makes it less likely that Grover will get back his overstocked 7 man bullpen. Too bad he does not know what to do with a capable bench.

  111. 111
    Andren Says:

    Would have liked to see Borchard in CF instead of WFB.

  112. 112
    KW Says:

    Richie, the K-King. It’s getting embarrassing.

  113. 113
    Tek Jansen Says:

    It is kind of silly for Rizzs togive a scoreboard update. No one else is playing.

  114. 114
    KW Says:

    You show ‘em, Joh.

  115. 115
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    A question for those more familiar with the Japanese leagues. Did we just happen to get two players that don’t walk much, or is it indicative of most Japanese players?

  116. 116
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Does Everett get booed everywhere, or just at the parks of his former clubs?

  117. 117
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    Rizzs just started it. Mentioning the bitter rivalry between C-Rex and the ChiSox. Let the trash talk begin. I’ve been looking forward to this match-up all year. Man it’ll be. . . um . .pretty intresting. All joking aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing Carl do something out of spite in that series. Can bitterness make you a good hitter all of a sudden?

  118. 118
    Andren Says:

    A Jurassic blast!

  119. 119
    Mike G. Says:

    YES, I mean Dammit. I mean Yes…with ver mixed feelingsy

  120. 120
    KW Says:

    C-REX!

  121. 121
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Holy Dinosaurs, Batman!!

  122. 122
    Tek Jansen Says:

    I like the fact that the M’s have the lead. I dislike the fact that the HR will keep Everett in the lineup when better options exist.

  123. 123
    Andren Says:

    At least Beltre hit the ball hard.

  124. 124
    Theodore Says:

    I’m still undecided about whether to hope that Carl does well. The worst case scenarior is that he does badly, but just not badly enough to get himself canned.

  125. 125
    sodomojojojo Says:

    WTF? C-Rex? At this rate any idea how much we’re paying per hit?

  126. 126
    Rick L Says:

    Ichiro gets a hit and Meche has no walks. This could be a whole new dawn.

  127. 127
    Tek Jansen Says:

    If Dan Wilson has retired from baseball, why don’t they retire the Dan Wilson Yammy Yogurt radio ads?

  128. 128
    KW Says:

    Now watch Meche blow it.

  129. 129
    Andren Says:

    What are the odds that Meche squanders the lead?

  130. 130
    msb Says:

    #25,28.

    “now, here’s a guy who could put a team ahead in a second”

    a classic Rizzs-ism, usually preceeding a strike-out by said player; and repeated game-to-game. The problem I have with Rizzs these days that it doesn’t feel as though he is actually aware he what he is saying … he could actually be calculating his taxes while doing the play-by play. Maybe that is also the reason I don’t get the vibes Dave feels when Rizzs talks to the junior broadcasters– he calls the boys buddy and half-listens to their answers, and (possibly because he is the father of a boy) he is just baffled when confronted by a girl in the booth…

    #116– so far, just Boston. you might be surprised to hear that the Boston media wasn’t too complimentary towards him, and the fans got ticked off with him.

  131. 131
    carcinogen Says:

    I’m still harvesting the crust from my eyes…but does AB have a hit and a walk? Amazing!

  132. 132
    KW Says:

    Hey. I thought Youkilis was supposed to take pitches.

  133. 133
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Meche should not face Ortiz. I will write it now.

  134. 134
    Rick L Says:

    129 Meche hasn’t squandered a lead in a long time. Not since the second inning, anyway.

  135. 135
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Take him Grover!! Please. Remember what Sherrill did to Ortiz yesterday.

  136. 136
    Tek Jansen Says:

    I meant “Take him out.”

  137. 137
    Andren Says:

    Changeup please.

  138. 138
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Crap.

  139. 139
    Andren Says:

    Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh.

  140. 140
    Jake Says:

    You called that one, Tek.

  141. 141
    Andren Says:

    No changeup. Inside fastball. You f’ing moron.

  142. 142
    Theodore Says:

    well, that didn’t take long.

  143. 143
    carcinogen Says:

    128 and 129…I blame you! Nice Jynx!

  144. 144
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    That’s unfortunate, it appeard the first 3 pitches were in a good location.

  145. 145
    ConorGlassey Says:

    Tek shouldn’t post negative predictions. I will write it now.

  146. 146
    Rick L Says:

    111. I agree. When you have five outfileders, why is WFB in Center Field?

  147. 147
    Jake Says:

    Yay, no XBH still for Manny.

  148. 148
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Why does Grover let tired, HR-prone right-handers face lefty power hitters for a third time through the lineup.

  149. 149
    Swungonandbelted Says:

    Take the hook with you Chavez

  150. 150
    oNeiRiC232 Says:

    Meche didn’t miss the glove… ’twas bad pitch selection to Ortiz

  151. 151
    Mike G. Says:

    115- If there is a Japanese way of hitting, the emphasis is on working the count and trying to get on base anyway possible. So Ichiro was always a bit of an anomaly. As for Johjima he might be trying to get his stroke down in the Majors, I’ll have to check his stats.

  152. 152
    carcinogen Says:

    gotta pull him now!

  153. 153
    Russ Says:

    crap

  154. 154
    Swungonandbelted Says:

    What are you waiting for Grover??!

  155. 155
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    When Meche is done, boy is he done.

  156. 156
    Theodore Says:

    i think it’s time for the cleaner.

  157. 157
    KW Says:

    I have a bad feeling.

  158. 158
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Grover is doing a very poor job of trying to win this game.

  159. 159
    sankthetank Says:

    Was Grover the only person in the world who would have left Meche in to face Ortiz, THEN Meche to face Manny and Nixon.

    Holy hell — I really hate this guy. I know the studies show that managers don’t really mean much to the win/loss bottom line, but with Grover I’m beginning to think that he may be the exception.

  160. 160
    Russ Says:

    Grover, why are we waiting until the bases are cleared before pullng Meche?

  161. 161
    ScottH Says:

    Meche needs to buy a lottery ticket right now!

  162. 162
    Jake Says:

    Whoaaaa thank you very much.

  163. 163
    sodomojojojo Says:

    players win games, managers lose games

  164. 164
    Rusty Says:

    > I’m still undecided about whether to hope that Carl does well.

    If he does well, it helps the Mariners win. That’s a bad thing? I do hope Mariner management keeps him more in a platoon role and limits his Plate Appearances so his option doesn’t vest but I can’t root for him to fail.

  165. 165
    carcinogen Says:

    Speaking of other underwhelming, overpaid 3Bs…

  166. 166
    KW Says:

    Hey, he did it!

  167. 167
    Andren Says:

    He clearly knew Meche would induce the DP.

  168. 168
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Holy crap, it worked!

  169. 169
    Theodore Says:

    lucky devil

  170. 170
    Russ Says:

    Rizzs will say he worked out of jam, doing what all great pitchers do.

    I say he dodged a Howitzer and should have not been on the battlefield.

  171. 171
    KW Says:

    All right, Bloomquist. Show us what you got.

    On second thought, don’t.

  172. 172
    billT Says:

    My manager walked over to talk, so I missed everything after the walk to load the bases. What happened?

  173. 173
    Jake Says:

    Taverez vs. Everett would be battle of the Grade-A jerks in baseball. Too bad that won’t happen today.

  174. 174
    Theodore Says:

    164 its a short term long term issue. If he does well, he vests and hurts us next year. To be clear, by well, i mean upper end realistic numbers for him. Obviously if he hits 35 dingers and has OPS over .900 that’d be great, but it ain’t gonna happen.

  175. 175
    billT Says:

    nm … Rizzs just told me what happened

  176. 176
    Jake Says:

    #172. Lowell hit into a DP.

  177. 177
    Mike G. Says:

    That was scrappy

  178. 178
    Tek Jansen Says:

    If Meche is done for the day, his outing was not all that bad, considering that he should have even faced Ortiz with a man on. The IBB was his only walk to go with three Ks.

    When Willie hits a ball, no man can catch it. That’s the power of Willie.

  179. 179
    Jake Says:

    How many ABs or PAs does Everett need to have his 07 option vest?

  180. 180
    carcinogen Says:

    Haha! That’s as good as hit, Willie!!!

  181. 181
    KW Says:

    “True grit always finds a way.”

  182. 182
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Well, if I was correct in my counting, that makes Reed platoons 1-for-9 so far.

  183. 183
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Wait, Willie is actually good at stealing bases, so why not let Willie steal and have Yubet hit away?

  184. 184
    Jake Says:

    Ooo Gritty Willy and OVERAGGRESSIVE BASERUNNING OF DOOM prevails!

  185. 185
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Yeah, Willie can steal a good base.

  186. 186
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    Run Willie, run!

  187. 187
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Grover is now obliged to let Meche continue until the game is once again tied. He and Francona have a gentleman’s agreement.

  188. 188
    zzyzx Says:

    Well that’s a scrappy run…

  189. 189
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Now that’s the Ichiro! we know and love, 3-0 count and Ichiro knocks the run in.

  190. 190
    KW Says:

    Say what you will, but small-ball works sometimes. We scored a run without getting a single hit. Now that’s cool.

  191. 191
    Rick L Says:

    Willie can at least turn no hit into a run.

  192. 192
    LB Says:

    Nice tongue bath for Willie from Rizzs there.

  193. 193
    metz123 Says:

    Rizzs is just about ready to wet himself over Willie

  194. 194
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    At least Meche can’t blow this one (I am assuming they don’t run him out there in the 7th).

    What the heck is Rizzs talking about?! Willie provides extra excitement? Is hoping he can actually do something with no confidence that he will the same as excitement.

  195. 195
    Andren Says:

    I know we just scored and all, but I find myself wondering why we even have Borchard or Lawton… not to mention Petagine.

    What will happen if Snelling is healthy? Is he gonna ride the pine all year?

  196. 196
    Rick L Says:

    Woods is in to face Ortiz. Good move by Grover there. Oops, wrong inning.

  197. 197
    DMZ Says:

    If Snelling’s healthy and hitting, they’ll clear the room for him.

  198. 198
    Sammy Says:

    Has Ichiro lost a step? I don’t have the numbers, but I don’t think he’s had very many infield singles this year. The year he broke the hit record, weren’t a solid 50+ of those hits infield hits?

  199. 199
    Russ Says:

    Nice tongue bath for Willie from Rizzs there.

    Diet coke up the nose. That really, really hurt.

  200. 200
    LB Says:

    Diet coke up the nose. That really, really hurt.

    I’m sure Rizzs practices by looking at tape of Tim McCarver going after Jeter.

  201. 201
    zzyzx Says:

    Sammy - I think so. A lot of balls that would have been hits in past years seem to be 6-3’s now.

  202. 202
    DMZ Says:

    I can’t believe we’ve got 200 comments for a game that started at 8:05 our time. We’re all insane.

  203. 203
    metz123 Says:

    I think he had 62 infield hits when he broke the record.

  204. 204
    Brian Rust Says:

    We’re not insane, we’re just all bored with work on a Monday morning.

  205. 205
    terry Says:

    Here’s a couple points/questions:

    career numbers:
    Reed vs lefties: 80g .195/.278/.265
    WFB vs lefties: 130g .272/.324/.371

    Ignoring the differences in defense (Reed really is potential gold glove material if he maintains his glove work for a few more years while WFB is mostly adequate at best), why is is so shocking to see Reed sitting against a lefty? This is a serious question (maybe the glove answers it?).

    Also, Dewan’s system basically ranks Ibanez very highly. Using this system Raul is considered a very solid left-fielder. Why is he generally considered a poor defensive option in left on this blog?

    Also, run exprctancy tables suggest less runs are scored with a runner on second and one out than with a guy on first with no outs. I know people here hate the sac bunt except in late innings of close games but WFB just scoring notwithstanding, why isn’t it still a bad strategy in late innings if less runs are expected to score? Is there a greater chance to score the guy on second with one out than the guy on first with no outs but overall you score fewer runs by giving up the out (i.e. you take yourself out of a big inning statistically speaking)?

  206. 206
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    P. Todd — don’t know if you are listening to the game, but Rizzs’ Willie comments say all you need to know about how much of a homer he is (and how little he understands wfb’s true lack of contribution to the team).

  207. 207
    Brian Rust Says:

    Realistically, Hargrove can’t PH for Bloomquist. He’s gotta be in the game in case Beltre, YuBet or Lopez jam a finger.

  208. 208
    Donny Says:

    or skiping class, its monday morning….

    way to go after youk there woods

  209. 209
    Russ Says:

    I was about to give props to Woods but this 0-3 count hurt his odds.

  210. 210
    brian_sun Says:

    Frigging BB, how long do you keep Woods in there?

  211. 211
    Andren Says:

    Insane? I actually cleared my morning schedule for this game.

  212. 212
    Swungonandbelted Says:

    They´re coming to get me again, haha
    They´re coming to take me away again, hee hee, ho ho
    To the looney bin
    Where life was ludicrous all the time
    And I´m just crazy about
    WFB…….

  213. 213
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Rizzs surmised that Woods is facing Loretta because he wants Woods to face Ortiz. Rizzs - “You don’t want any right hander facing Ortiz.” Rizzs, please see inning 6.

  214. 214
    sankthetank Says:

    Any specific reason Grover is using our worst bullpen option during this critical point of the game? Nobody else available?

  215. 215
    Andren Says:

    8am AND a Gil Meche start…

  216. 216
    Replacement level poster Says:

    Its fine if you want to sit Reed versus lefties. In my opinion its too early to platoon him, and he should see more lefties before he is written off as needing to be in a platoon. However if you are going to platoon him, it should be with Borchard not WFB.

    You answered your second question, one run is more likely in certain situations, however by giving up an out you take yourself out of the big inning.

  217. 217
    Evan Says:

    Remember Dave’s assertion that Dewan’s system (and basically any fielding metric) overrates outfielders in Safeco.

    I’ll admit, I got up early (it’s the last day of a 4 day weekend up here) to watch this game on MLB.tv.

  218. 218
    Mariner Fan in CO Exile Says:

    I’ll give props to Willie on that.

  219. 219
    brian_sun Says:

    good, keep Big Papi on deck. Need to get couple more runs here with our heart of the lineup coming up.

  220. 220
    dw Says:

    I can’t believe we’ve got 200 comments for a game that started at 8:05 our time. We’re all insane.

    Or we all need better jobs.

  221. 221
    Tek Jansen Says:

    No, good jobs are the ones that allow us to watch/listen to the M’s.

  222. 222
    Rick L Says:

    216. But the likelihood of a big inning with no hits is small.

  223. 223
    brian_sun Says:

    Foulke in the 8th trailing by 1 run? Who’s their closer now?

  224. 224
    Andren Says:

    Papelbon

  225. 225
    Rusty Says:

    > Or we all need better jobs.

    We have jobs which allow us to monitor a Mariners game. We need better?

  226. 226
    Evan Says:

    Papelbon hasn’t yet allowed a run, this year, has he?

  227. 227
    Replacement level poster Says:

    Or as Chris Berman has decided to call him, “Snap! Crackle! Papelbon!”

    I hate Chris Berman.

  228. 228
    brian_sun Says:

    Do we have Soriano available today? He pitched 1 1/3 yesterday.

  229. 229
    Rick L Says:

    Someone may have made this point before, but at least Grover has Johjima hitting in the right spot now.

  230. 230
    Donny Says:

    its a great feeling to know that after sexson hits there isnt that for sure out after him anymore

  231. 231
    patl Says:

    It’s a good thing that Rizzs drives me wacky - I’d ALMOST paid for the audio stream subscription. But between USSm comments and Yahoo gametracker, I can get all the entertainment I need here :-)

  232. 232
    Andren Says:

    Don’t let something like employment get in the way of rooting/discussion/commiserating for your team.

  233. 233
    Theodore Says:

    A run expectancy question for those that are more astute about the stat stuff than i am. The tables give you partial runs, but doesn’t it make more sense to think in terms of the percentage chance that you’ll get some discreet number of runs, especially late in games? 1 out runner on second might give you fewer runs over all than 0 outs runner on first, but does it have a greater chance of giving you at least 1 run? I’d like to see the run matrixes re-done with percentages and discreet numbers it might be more useful info for 7th inning or later.

  234. 234
    Evan Says:

    Been done. The odds that you’ll get 1 or more run does improve with certain run-reducing strategies in late innings.

  235. 235
    brian_sun Says:

    The announcers in NESN said the Sox are 4-0 in one run game. Hope it will be 4-1 after this game.

  236. 236
    Andren Says:

    Holy mackerel.

  237. 237
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Whew.

  238. 238
    luigi Says:

    Shelton homered again

  239. 239
    brian_sun Says:

    Crap, Ortiz almost had an Albert Pujols moment. Lucky bastard.

  240. 240
    KW Says:

    235: Hopefully this won’t be a one-run game.

  241. 241
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    Gamecast shows that as a really deep fly out… and no, I’m at work at a conference room table so I can’t hear any audio. The explanations of the gushing love for WFB did the job though.

  242. 242
    Andren Says:

    Ichiro with the catch in front of the 18″ wall.

  243. 243
    Evan Says:

    Don’t be silly. Given these teams, the odds are that if one of them scores again before the end of the game, it won’t be us.

  244. 244
    Rusty Says:

    Ignoring the warning track shot for the moment… why was Jake Woods (599/470/215/52 IP/K/BB/HR minor league numbers) at 25 years of age available to be acquired from the Angels? Giving up Matt Thornton (hard throwing lefty) to get Jake Woods (hard throwing lefty with some command) seems like a gift too good to be true.

  245. 245
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Soriano is probably not available, but Sherrill is. He only three 11 pitches yesterday. And he should have face Ortiz. It’s amazing that Ortiz twice came to the plate with a chance to tie the game, and in neither situation did Grover use Sherrill.

  246. 246
    brian_sun Says:

    Reiko Tosa of Japan is leading the Boston Marathon.

  247. 247
    Replacement level poster Says:

    233 I think “The Book” by Lichtman, Tangotiger, and Dolphin has that, however I haven’t seen it online anywhere yet.

  248. 248
    Phoenician Todd Says:

    How hard does Woods throw?

  249. 249
    Evan Says:

    247 - I’m sure Woolner compiled that a few years ago.

  250. 250
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Niehause referred to Putz as a “big Michigander.” Is “Michigander” really the term for Michigan residents?

  251. 251
    Tek Jansen Says:

    Oops, I meant “Niehaus.”

  252. 252
    msb Says:

    #250: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigander

  253. 253
    Dave Says:

    Why are you pitching to Varitek here. Hello Intentional Walk!

  254. 254
    Andren Says:

    Throw the cutter.

  255. 255
    DanO Says:

    242 - 18 inch wall? Has anyone accidentially tripped over it? (I’m picturing dwarves dancing around a tiny Stonehenge monument…)

  256. 256
    Replacement level poster Says:

    Crap.

    That is all.

  257. 257
    Norm Charlton Fan Club Says:

    Damn…should’ve walked him.

  258. 258
    joser Says:

    “by a diving Lopez”
    crap, crap, crap

  259. 259
    brian_sun Says:

    well, not walking VTek was a big mistake.

  260. 260
    colm Says:

    253 Good question. Who’s hitting behind Varitek who can actually hit?

  261. 261
    joser Says:

    255 — You’re picturing Spinal Tap Goes to Fenway.

  262. 262
    Andren Says:

    255. That was the humor in it. The wall is so short, it’s ridiculous.

  263. 263
    carcinogen Says:

    Oh man…with 2 outs…that really stings.