Game 105, Mariners at Orioles
DMZ · July 31, 2006 at 3:25 pm · Filed Under Game Threads
Game 1: Can the M’s beat the Orioles?
Game 2: Can the site hold up?
4:05, FSN.
Mariners:
RF-L Ichiro!
2B-R Lopez
3B-R Beltre
LF-L Ibanez
1B-R Sexson
DH-R Perez
C-R Johjima
SS-R Betancourt
CF-R Jones
Pitching, Gil “The New and Improved” Meche
For Baltimore:
2B Roberts
LF-L Fahey
3B-R Mora
SS-R Tejada
DH-L Gibbons
1B-R Conine
CF-L Patterson
C-R Hernandez
RF-L Markakis
and pitching, Adam Loewen.
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I didn’t catch much baseball this weekend, so forgive me if this is a stupid question: is this the first time that Lopez and Beltre are back in the slots where they started the season?
1. No it’s been like that for the last few games.
There’s something immensley satisfying about that lineup. No Willie BOOM BOOM, no Everett, and a lefty-masher at DH. Looks like front office and management are on the same page.
Loewen can’t throw strikes to save his life – if the M’s go up hacking, we should burn down Safeco before they return.
Okay, maybe not, but they seriously need to go up to the plate determined to only swing at pitches they can mash, because Loewen’s command is horrendous.
I understand moving Lopez, but if Beltre was working as a #2 guy, why move him? That makes no sense to me.
Derek, Derek, Derek…
WD-40 and Duct Tape should do the trick next time! I’m sure I’ve got a holy card of St. Jude (patron saint of hopeless causes) you could jam into an empty PCI slot or something.
Should’ve gone with that Rance Mulliniks sticker instead…
So Bavasi just said a whole lot of nuthin’ on the pre game show.
so, in other words, he spoke like a GM?
So, in other words, he spoke like everyone in pro sports.
Spelling error alert: Tejada, not Tejeda.
Anyhoo, let’s get the sweep in Charm City! (Though facing a resurgent Erik Bedard will make that VERY difficult.)
This is the first lineup that doesn’t appear to have a hemmorrhaging infection at any hole. Everyone, meet Mike Hargrove, master of every aspect of the game – baserunning, bullpen, and pinch hitting excluded.
If any of my profs read this blog, I expect to get extra credit for using the word “hemmorrhaging” within an aphysiological context.
Wow, Fairly and Niehaus look horrible, like they want to die because Hell is rumored to be less humid.
[ahem] “hemorrhaging”
Thanks, Coach.
It’s freaking out here. Gonna hit 99 here in NC tomorrow. Real feel temperature in NC when its 99 is 342, I think.
Also, I forgot about mlb.tv’s insane blackout rules, so I’m now off to a friend’s house who has cable so I can actually watch this game on TV. Bastards.
Um, “hemorrhaging” indeed. Sadly, I chose chiropractic school only after a shocking, second-place finish in the International Spelling Tournament. Sorry MZD.
Meche’s line for the game: 5 6 5 5 3 4
And the M’s still win.
Dave, no cable? Ouch.
But Dave, it’s only like an 8 hour drive from Greensboro to Baltimore.
chased ball 4 twice already
‘One of the few times Ichiro swings at one out of the strike zone with two strikes on him. You don’t see that too often.’ -Fairly
wow that was a fat pitch
Off to a great start!
‘Don’t know why there are some guys you can’t stop them from hitting the ball hard against you.’ -Fairly
Uh… He piped it.
Well, at least Roberts is on my Fantasy Team. And yes, I put him in the starting lineup vs. Meche…
#21 – I won twenty bucks last year when I bet my buddy that Fairly would say “There’s no question about that” in the first ten minutes of the TV broadcast in five consecutive games. I think his longest streak is actually somewhere around 25. But Fairly is the Mariano Rivera of our color crew…for what that’s worth.
These are the kinds of games that must be won if this team is serious about the playoffs.
That being said, looking great so far…
great… shoulda got rid of him when his value was at his peak
so, what, Meche isn’t used to hot humid weather?
Let’s see, 2 runs on 15 pitches so far…
SURE WHY NOT GIVE UP A HOMER EVERY OTHER OUT!!!!
SURE WHY NOT GIVE UP A HOMER EVERY OTHER OUT!!!!
I love Gil Meche!
wow
wow! ladies and gentlemen, the ace of the 2006 m’s
Maybe he wanted to be traded…?
Oh man… is this gonna be the game where that 6% hr/fb rate catches up to him?
The Orioles are swinging like they smell blood.
This reminds me of when my dad plays the stock market. He likes to buy when something is rising and sell after it has fallen.
Meche staff ace!
Well at least no one hit it in play….
this is the sort of inning that Gil normally has just before a potential trade
Remember last year when Brian Roberts had like 15 homers before the break… seriously, what was that all about?
No, he’s trying to beat the O’s bats into submission.
“hey richie your batting average looks like you either hit a home run or strike out, thats not real good buddy” anonymous Orioles fan
Hey Richie, you’re so fine, you ground out or strike out all the time….
yikes. way to not kill lefties eddie.
lowoen was the most sought out after arm at the trade deadline right?
I’m somewhat confident if we aquired Jesus to hit lefties he wouldn’t be able to, it seems like thats what happens when you play for Seattle.
jesus can’t hit a breaking ball worth diddly.
WWJD?
Now, now, DeJesus could hit lefties back in the day.
You wouldn’t bring Jesus in to hit, you bring him in to anchor the bullpen. That’s what he does, he saves. Come on now.
Edgar Martinez could.
I know…let’s walk the #9 hitter.
#52-they could play “jesus is just alright with me” by the doobies when he came out of the pen
All I know is if the Mariners had him, the Yankees would have found a way to trade for him already.
Has anyone ever heard the Bob and Tom show Harry Carey first baseball game skit? It’s absolutely hilarious and i suggest you go download it.
Long releif I think would be best. Like the old school closers coming in at the 6-7th inning.
Dave-
I’ve been meaning to ask how much you’ve watched the Durham club, and what you think of the chosen ones.
Wow, Loewen looks like Cy Young out there. Oh, wait, he has a 6.08 ERA. Funny how the M’s can do that to pitchers (especially left-handers).
I thought Dave said Loewen was the pitcher who couldn’t throw strikes.
Having seen Loewen earlier this year– yeah. His command of the strike zone has been pretty bad this season.
57. Will Ferrell as Harry Caray on sketches on Saturday Night Live is probably funnier.
Meche looks really uncomfortable with the heat (both the temperature and the kind of pitch).
Loewen had one good start in him this year.
And he had it in the WBC.
I was advocating that the M’s trade Meche at the deadline, on the theory that his value would never be higher. I stand vindicated.
Loewen’s command of the strikezone doesn’t have to be better than that of other pitchers – it only has to be better than that of Mariner hitters
now that play by Betencourt was Jeter like!
63 – Nope. Bob and Tom’s is far more funny than anything that SNL could and have put out about Harry Carey.
I like Meche. I think he’s going to get a W today.
Yanks Sign Jesus Christ
Here comes a big 4th inning.
(and I encourage you to read the next few in the series to see how He does)
Based on what, 70? He’s already thrown a bunch of pitches in hot, humid conditions, he’s been throwing fastballs up in the zone, and is trailing 3-0. I guess I’m missing something.
Weird that the last couple starts Meche and Pineiro seemed to trade places.
Finally. I was worried I’d have to invoke the words “perfect game” in order for someone to get a hit off this guy.
Wow, Lopez almost punched the shortstop there on the slide.
I’ve been switching back and forth between this game and the Cleveland-Boston tilt on ESPN. Apparently the Boston fans are roasting Epstein for failing to make any trades while the Yankees were acquiring Abreu (by the way, I think Cory Lidle may make more of a difference than Abreu, as the Yankees’ huge need is for pitching). ESPN is saying the Bosox were hoping David Wells was going to bolster the rotation, which is pretty hilarious given that he’s old and has never taken conditioning seriously. Anyway, he’s getting lit up. I guess our front office has no monopoly on silliness.
If you’ve spent any time in Boston, everyone will get ripped no matter what. Pedro would get ripped even when he was the best pitcher in the game. It was all fun for a few days when they won the series a few years ago. It is pretty entertaining if you don’t like the Sox.
ESPN Gamecast is so much faster than foxsports.
79: That’s certainly true about Boston, I’m just suggesting that in this case (unlike many others) it may be deserved.
I’m thinking about busting out the rally cap a little early today.
Loewen has faced the minimum through 4.1. He might be almost as good as Josh Fogg.
55: No, Jesus wouldn’t close; that would be a huge mistake. I’m reminded of a Kayne West song, “Jesus Walks.” That makes for a horrible closer, but an excellent leadoff man.
Yep. Next inning the rally cap is coming out.
good lord someone tell the m’s that loewen sucks
he was out
one good thing– while sitting in with Rizzs for an inning, Finnigan offically admitted that, yes, he is retiring at some point this year to do ‘other things’
Haven’t we seen this so many times this year. Our offense is so difficult to figure out. Either we dominate or we get shut out, no in between. Absolutely frustrating. Yu-Bet and Jonesy will get us going in the 6th.
Sometimes watching M’s games can be really hard, like whenever a lefty’s on the mound for the other team.
1995 carries the same weight with Ricky as AD does to the Christian calender. sheesh
well, if they get shut-out today and take the next two, I can live with that.
who’s today’s homeplate ump?
Jerry Layne is behind the plate
Isn’t that weird that Melvin Mora wouldn’t be where he was today if it wasn’t for John Olerud.
shouldn’t someone raised & resident in Lafayette Louisiana be used to hot & humid?
Let’s get a double play ball here
Nice, Gil!
HUGE….. good job by Gil to get out of a big jam against the best of the O’s line up. Hopefully, the offence can get it going now.
Rally Cap is on.
89-
Lotto numbers. I need lotto numbers.
Not that it helped much there, though it could have… but Johjima’s speed is a big asset to the team and is rarely mentioned. He runs pretty good for a catcher and way better than what we have had back there.
89 – And nice call about Yu-Bet and Jones (or AJ as I like to call him because I’m lazy) getting us going
Texas losing 5-0 and hopefully Angels win.
Ichi, what’s with the oppposite field popouts? A virus?
Yeah, Adam. But really, the first pitch? They must have been instructed not to swing so early, right? Seems like the kind of thing Hargrove would know well enough and value enough…how is it that we’re not working the count at all?
Looooooopez! WITH 7 oh’s!!!
Shouldn’t a pitcher with lousy control like Loewen have a higher pitch count? Are the M’s swinging at bad pitches to get themselves out?
I think the low pitch count is more a result of not getting more people up to bat. One hit and one walk do not mean many pitches.
They haven’t been egregiously free swinging, I don’t think.
CLUTCH!!!
Nice rally caps.
Rauuuu….well, you know the drill!
Interesting graphic they just ran on the O’s broadcase.
Adrian Beltre, since 5/26, among AL 3rd basemen:
Hits – 1st
Runs – 1st
Doubles – 1st
Extra base hits – 1st
Multi-hit games – 1st
though not without its flaws, this is a fun team to watch
110: thanks for cutting down on server/DB load
Yeah! Belated but sincere remark of exclamation!
I can’t decide which is more annoying:
Howie Long telling me to ‘get going’, American Idol guy singing about ‘possibilities’ or Jon Lovitz yelling ‘Subway, eat fresh!’.
Mateo.
A tie game..and he brings in Mateo? For the love of all that is holy, why on earth would you do that?
nooooo! mateo!
Distinct lack of intellect or imagnination, I fear. This guy makes Bob Melvin look like Edward De Bono.
ah, but there is no one on– sometimes that makes Julio more calm.
Whichever USSM guy on tv last night, that brought up how on of the reasons Grover should be fired is for using Mateo in the wrong slots too often, is looking pretty smart right now.
Its only a matter of time…
Maybe this is a subtle reminder from Grover to the hitters, that they better keep scoring runs…sigh
I like Mateo. I think he does alright to keep us in games. I think he’s going to get a W tonight.
‘Mariner fans all over the league.’ -Fairly
Mateo. Further proof that Dave’s “Kudos, Hargrove” post overlooked the fact that Mateo wasn’t available.
I’ll take any pitcher in the organization over Mateo when we’re tied. Mateo simply cannot prevent a run. He usually doesn’t allow four or five, but always one.
I think Mateo might be pregnant.
good to see other teams have players with no plate discipline
112. Yes, I wouldn’t be riding my couch on this gorgeous day if the M’s were as dull as they have been the past couple of seasons.
So, Jason Churchill just made an excellent observation – Mateo was throwing from a much more exaggerated 3/4 delivery that inning. It’s only one inning, but the spin on his slider looked significantly better.
It can’t hurt to try.
Kenji!
JOHHHHHHHHHHH!
Major league hitting
Thank you, Nick Markakakisiss
It’s a blessing having a catcher who’s an offensive threat.
Personally I’d rather Mateo wasn’t “trying” anything new in a tie game while were within 5 games of first place.
Hopefully Mateo will turn the corner and be back to the reliable MIDDLE reliever that didn’t cost us multiple close ball games.
While I would have liked a CF like Lofton and a starting pitcher, I have to say that the moves Bavasi made with the DH slot were just fine with out any other system gutting blockbuster trades. He has moved up in my estimation after this trade deadline.
Would you have preferred J.J. didn’t try his new splitter earlier this year either?
WOO! The last two innings. Nice. Now if I could just leave work I’d be happy.
Betancourt is a pleasure to watch.
128. I thought Mateo’s slider looked a lot more sharp today. Didn’t notice the delivery though. I could be making this up but I remember him throwing more 3/4s style a couple years ago.
Oh man, that should have been Jones’ first big league homer.
How quickley things can change. 6 outs ago everyone was crying (now 5 outs ago.)
I’m slightly inclined to believe Jones should have been pinched hit there. Isn’t that what having Dobbs around (for the time being) is for? Well, maybe hindsight is 20-20.
141. Not me. I’ve been positive the whole time.
Huh. Intentionally walking Ichiro to get to the guy with 2 hits tonight.
This must be a matchup thing.
Oh, and a going for the DP thing I guess. Although. Ichiro.
142: I disagree. There was none out in the top of the 7th, so it’s likely that Jones’ turn comes up again in the order. Also, if they pinch hit for Jones, Willie comes in to play CF for three innings.
142: Hargrove won’t pinch hit in the 7th inning. He has to wait for the key point in the game, which in Hargrove’s mind cannot come before the 8th.
136
If you want to justify Mateo “experimenting” or whatever in a tie game then that’s an opinion you’re entitled to. I happen to disagree with Grover on this one.
Is there something wrong with using Mateo in games where they’re already decided until he’s proven he’s back to his old self?
Interesting you’d compare Putz to Mateo. I don’t think Mateo has earned that comparison this year.
The O’s have been very charitable tonight.
Beltre swings as hard as he possibly can every freakin swing… shorten up, Adrian!
148:
You missed it entirely. My guess is Dave will tell you so himself anytime now.
Does each fan at Oriole Park have their own microphone tonight? They’re extremely loud and you can hear every voice.
#148:if what he’s doing is so reliably unsucessful, is it fair to criticize him for tweaking…..especially assuming this is an adjustment he has tested in the pen?
Charles Bukowski once wrote a story about an angel-winged Jesus playing for a ball team, by the way. Funny stuff.
Nobody was comparing Mateo to Putz. Just the idea of trying new things.
Mateo is near useless as is, why not try something new that can help him become more effective?
Be stupid not to.
You are entitled to your opinion. You’re not entitled to have your opinion be worth something. All opinions are not created equal.
I’m not arguing Mateo should have been used in that situation – obviously, I’ve been one of the most vocal critics of his usage so far this year. I was simply pointing out something that you probably didn’t notice that could be a positive going forward. If your overwhelming negativity won’t allow you to receive potential good news, I’m sorry for you.
Ms up 5 to 3…..is there even any point to play the final two and half innings considering Lowe and Putz are in the pen?
Gopher ball..
#121, 148, et al: If you don’t like Hargrove’s choice of Mateo for the 6th, the other choices are: Fruto, Green, Woods, Lowe, Sherill, or Putz. You know he’s not going to Putz before the 9th, and probably not before the 8th. It’s very unlikely he’s going to Lowe before the 8th. So, who do you want him to go with there: Fruto, Green, Woods, or Sherill?
It’s not Hargrove’s fault that the starter can’t give him more than 5 innings.
148
No, I don’t criticize the “tweaking” at all. I clearly questioned if in a TIE GAME in a pennant race is the type of situation he should be pitching in at all. This is Mateo, remember?
Speaking of Jesus, why in God’s holy name is Mateo still out there? Don’t we have GOOD relievers for when we’ve got the lead?
New arm slot or not, 88 MPH fastballs down the middle are going to get torched. Clearly, he shouldn’t be in the game right now. No one thinks he should be.
D*mn you Mateo…
157. Yes. Consider Mateo is still pitching instead of Sherrill.
Mateo could have dysentery, be on fire, and have no right arm… and Grover would still try to trot him out there I think.
well that one mustve been from a 4/5 delivery….
155
True enough. I apologize for the confusion. The last thing I expected disagreement over was using Mateo in a tie game while tweaking things.
Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Fruto and Green against a mediocre team like the O’s and less of Mateo, until were sure things are finally worked out with Julio.
Mateo…
That’s better. But a batter too late. Especially given the lefty-righty match-up to which Grover is usually a slave.
Holy crap, 47 apearances for Sherrill already?
And hey, if he gets an out here, he will have pitched 30 innings.
159
Did Julio answer your question for you?
It must be a shock for Orioles hitters going from a .300 BA against Mateo to a .100 something against Sherril.
156
Overwhelming negativity or just realism about Mateo this year?
#171: To paraphrase what Mr. Lincoln would say if he managed a baseball team: I can’t send anyboy to the mound. I have to have somebody.
Do you want to start playing lefty-righty matchups in the 6th? Seems a little early for that. If you wanted someone else to pitch, it’s sort of polite to give an actual name, especially when I gave you a list.
For a reliever, a minor adjustment can be a huge, huge thing. Putz’s splitter took him from being a mediocre middle reliever into an all-star relief ace. If Mateo’s arm slot helps his slider become something that he can use to get swings and misses, he could easily become marginally useful again.
The lack of posts about Sherrill seems to indicate that it’s not just Gamecast that’s frozen…?
MLB is blacking me out, even though I am in West Virginia on business and now the gamecast is stuck(after Sherrill came in). At the risk of pissing off DMZ, someone tell me what is happening.
Yea, MLB gameday down as well
175
I totally agree with you and believe it or not, I don’t think there’s any reason Mateo can’t recapture his previous form.
But he has no business facing lefties in any sort of close, meaningful game until he does. (Lefties hit .393 against him BEFORE that blast).
171 I did. In fact I named two in 167, sorry about not specifically addressing your question when I listed Green or Fruto.
Sorry, I meant to say MLB Gameday. But I just looked at the ESPN scoreboard and they’re frozen on Sherrill, no pitches, too.
I heart Mark Lowe.
For those who can’t see, Mark Lowe is owning once again.
174. Sherrill was, to me, the obvious choice. Leading to Lowe in the 8th and Putz in the 9th.
175-
I’m not sure that Putz’s level of success is sustainable if he doesn’t throw the split more often. Word of the splitter spread quickly; so will the fact that he only throws it once an inning.
I’m trying to not get too attached to Mark Lowe for the inevitable sophomore slump, but it’s hard.
Real hard.
Sherrill got the first two outs and Lowe came in for the third out. We’re on to eigth.
Sexson is due.
Putz throws about 50-60% splitters, hooligan.
I heard the crack of Richie’s bat on that swing. And my TV was muted.
185. Thanks.
185: That’s not what ESPN says. It says Brian Roberts is still up. And if they say that Alfonso Soriano was going to be traded to the A’s, and that Brad Lidge is going to the Red sox, then that means they’re…..they’re…..oh, never mind.
#179: Sorry, I missed the earlier post post.
In 16IP at the major league level, Green has given up 15 H and 10 BB with only 12 K’s. Fruto’s 18IP have seen 21 hits and 14 BB with 18 K’s. I like the K’s, but the walk rate stinks.
I can understand why Hargrove doesn’t get a warm fuzzy feeling bringing either of those guys into a close game. He’ll pitch the guy with the history, figuring that maybe he can get back to being good again. Carl Everett Syndrome.
Sexson and Beltre are really turning it on lately, in different ways. But I am a hopeful, happy camper. I like this team, despite it’s lack of starting pitching.
Hey guys, who are we rooting for in the A’s – Angles series?
Sexson hits a home run to center field and Perez walks and Johjima homers. 3 runs in with no outs.
Dave…last two appearances? Fastballs like crazy. You sure about that, of late?
#193: Hey guys, who are we rooting for in the A’s – Angles series?
Rain.
Yesterday, he threw a ton of splitters. Inglett fouled off about 6 in a row.
A Tale of Two Games. Bad M’s through 5. Good M’s take over in the 6th.
Betancourt doubles. Runner on second still no outs
MLB Gameday, at least, is back on track.
Sexy. Joh. Yum.
(Hmm, I think a haiku was just inspired)
191
Excellent point about “Everett Syndrom.” LOL
Its not that Mateo can’t throw a scoreless inning. Many times he actually does. Its like with Everett, he doesn’t know when to quit. With a bunch of lefties coming up he lets Mateo pitch to one, instead of being grateful he got a good inning…and sure enough…GOOD BYE BASEBALL, and THEN Sherrill comes in. Since Sherrill was apparently just one “mistake” from coming in, why not put him in to face Markadis too?
Grover just doesn’t believe in a short enough leash. He seems more of a “close the barn door when the horse is out” type of manager.
And two outings ago? Already deleted it off of my tivo, but I noticed it last week and then a couple days back he pounded the strike zone with fastball, fastball, fastball. I was clenching my teeth waiting for either a splitter or a home run, and neither came. I’m not going crazy…am I?
ahhhh. wander away to check on the Aged P., and 4 happy runs are added.
What a night at the plate for Lopez and Betancourt. (God, that sounds like Rizzs). With the latter, we knew he looked like Omar Vizquel in his prime defensively, but who would have thought he would hit over .300?
#200: here’s a haiku:
Mateo needs this
two or three good out pitches
and he’ll be useful
First installment of a running commentary on our DH production post-Carl…
.250 .368 .438
The Sexson/Johjima power explosion has rendered me docile and unemotional to Beltre’s strikeout.
206. Beats the hell out of Carl.
if we knew meche would only go five being spelled by Mateo with beltre and ichiro going a combined 0 for 8, would we predict the Ms would be up 5?
also nice to turn the tv back on & see Benuardo chatting…
Hargrove puts Fruto in so Putz has a chance at a save.
For some reason, this team just seems to hit relievers way better than starters lately. Just like in Cleveland on Sunday. Maybe were just better late in the game.
FWIW, with a five run differential is the time I’d rather see Mateo work out his kinks and face lefties (if he must). But it worked out alright as Sherrill/Lowe are money as always. Hard to believe Sherrill wasn’t even “allowed” to pitch in the majors for a majority of last year.
202
Crazy like a fox!
Your 2nd sentence in post 124 makes you sound darn near prophetic
For some reason, this team just seems to hit relievers way better than starters lately. Just like in Cleveland on Sunday. Maybe were just better late in the game.
Or the pitchers are worse.
Everybody in the league fattens their stats on the soft underbelly of middle relief.
There’s a reason the Bostons and New Yorks of the world build their lineups with patient hitters who boost the pitch count, make the pitchers throw hittable strikes, and get the starter out of the game early.
ah, an ice cold towel.
from a DC friend tonight, who didn’t really appreciate the ‘hot enough for you’ question … “temps for mid-week are pegged at 104 with a heat index of 110-111, maybe highter since we might also get a thunderstorm or two.”
The thing that’s annoying me, even though he kinda got away with it, is that Hargrove left Broussard on the bench when a righty was pitching to Perez – clearly, he’s just not going to use his platoon properly, except (maybe) in the 8th and 9th. Admittedly, we’re currently stuck with Dobbs instead of Snelling if they bring in a lefty, but I’m pretty sure that’s not why he’s not doing it.
Truism: Leadoff walks always come around to score. Sigh.
211: You are proving prophetic!
A great win. I think this team has a chance
As a matter of fact, he DOES hit that ball a country mile!
Oh well, so much for positive thinking
Sac fly instead, oh well… no more save situation, Fruity or no Fruity!
Poster 220 has self-image issues. We should all be encouraging to her(him?).
Hargrove: Damn it, we need to get a save for Putz and we’ve already used Mateo.
Chavez: We could always go to Woods in the ninth.
Hargrove: Genius!
Nick Markakis always makes me think of the radio comedian Parkyakarkas, aka Harry Einstein, the father of one Albert Einstein, who changed his name to Albert Brooks when he went into show business….
your official useless fact of the day.
Fernando Tatis: Like Ron Hassey, will live on forever as a pub quiz question.
Woods seems to really be improving as the year goes on. Maybe he’s someone we could use in middle innings when they’re multiple lefties up and its too early for Gorgeous George. (Or in other words, as an alternative for Mateo in the 5th or 6th).
I admit it, I like the Corona seaside commercials. No dialog!!
Lopez looks alot more focused the last couple of games and that double play at the end of the game was great.
The Twins are beating the Rangers 15-1. Unless the Rangers suddenly become the 2001 Indians, I think it’s safe to say that by the end of the day we’ll be in third place.
Nice four-pitch inning by Jake Woods. I hope Fat Fruto was watching that.
193 JeffS said “Hey guys, who are we rooting for in the A’s – Angles series?”
I’m undecided which team to root for, but I am hoping for
some key injuries on each side…
im rooting for the angels because we can’t beat the A’s
Back from the game. So freakin hot and muggy. At least the lukewarm expensive beer helped quell a bit of the heat, or make me numb enough not to notice. A few observations:
1. Watching Perez leg out his double was like watching old Edgar leg one out. Perez is ssslllloooowwww.
2. Joh looked good behind the plate. Somewhere in there (3rd inning??? I think) Meche barked at him a bit. Don’t know what about. Anybody know why?
Good call, 232.
re: 232
You should also root for all the Angels/A’s games to go deep into extra innings…wear the pitchers down.
I wanted to watch the A’s/Angels game, but the Angels broadcast crew is so grating I couldn’t take it. And I’ve built up a pretty heavy immunity from all these years of watching M’s games.
Are the mariners for real? I think they finish 10 back of anaheim.
Yes, because the Angels are so much better.
As far as A’s-Angles, I’m rooting for a complete 180. Ba dump.
Clearly rooting for the Angels, for the reason cited above, and also due to the simple fact that the A’s are further ahead of us right now.
Game summary haiku:
New late-game power
Unexpected but welcome
Like Hendu struck dumb.
Congrats on keeping the server up. Your hard work paid off for today.
I love BBTN– when discussing what Texas did today, we learn that apparently the rest of the AL West “sleptwalked” up to the trading deadline…
ah me, and accidently tuning in the end of the KJR postgame/evening show with Sandmeyer, who thinks that Sexson is more than fulfilling his contract, but man, Beltre, they have just got to cut the ties with him, lose that contract, lose him, he’s never going to come around, he isn’t worth what they are paying him, it is time to say goodbye, especially as the Mariners are obviously willing to move him & his salary if they were dealing with the Padres like that well-known baseball figure Hacksaw Hamilton told him almost got done.
sigh.
10 back of those Angels? You are crazeeee
#241. I love BBTN, too — NOT! Actually, when they discussed Texas’ moves, they segued right in to how it was a “3 team race” and how competitive the A’s and Angels will be going down the stretch and how Vlad Guerrero will have to pick it up for his team.
No mention of that other team, now in 3rd place and lurking only 3.5 games out of first place.
And in their “Web Gems” they featured Grady Sizemore, mentioning only at the last that “oh, the Mariners won that game 10-5″ without any Mariners highlights.
ESPN and BBTN in particular have degraded into a slick-paged ad-filled magazine of a sportsnetwork…sorta like ESPN:The Magazine, come to think of it.