Game 80, Mariners at Royals
Feierabend vs De La Rosa, 5:10 pm.
With Sexson out for the evening and the team facing a lefty, John McLaren got a little creative with tonight’s line-up.
1. Ichiro, CF
2. Vidro, 1B
3. Ibanez, DH
4. Guillen, RF
5. Johjima, C
6. Beltre, 3B
7. Betancourt, SS
8. Lopez, 2B
9. Bloomquist, LF
I may surprise some people here, but I actually like the fact that he’s sticking Turbo at first base. Sexson’s a lousy defensive player, so sticking Vidro at first isn’t much of a downgrade, while Bloomquist can run circles around Ibanez in left field. Which is important, considering that Feierabend is a pretty extreme flyball/contact pitcher, so outfield defense is vital. This line-up acknowledges that Ibanez is a problem in left field, and that’s a huge concession that we all should be rooting for the Mariners to make. The more people running the club realize that Ibanez wearing an outfielder’s glove is killing them, the more likely it is we see Adam Jones in Seattle in the not too distant future.
Beyond that, though, figuring out if Vidro can play a passable first base is a worthy endeavor, especially with 2008 in mind. The team has to figure out a way to clear the glut at DH to get Ibanez off the field and Jones in the line-up, and if Vidro’s even relatively competent at first base, it increases the odds that the M’s would be willing to go with a Broussard/Vidro platoon at first base next year.
How they get rid of Sexson and how willing Ibanez would be to move to DH are questions for another day, but this is a start, at least, towards moving to the most sensible line-up the Mariners can run out there, given all the bad players they’re paying too much to.
If today’s line-up is even one small step towards Adam Jones in left field and Ibanez at DH, then Richie Sexson’s bruised thumb might be the team MVP.
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Sadly, this lineup demonstrates that McLaren is no closer to understanding that Ibanez can’t hit lefties than Grover was.
Right. Just as DNC says, while the defensive arrangement is very noteworthy, I’m still disappointed that Raul’s batting third.
Baby steps, I suppose…
Raul may not hit lefties, but everyone knows that players perform well against their former teams. Duh.
Ibanez may be losing to the angry bees this year in LF, but good grief what was that play Guillen made last night in RF? I have this image of Ichiro sitting in front of his locker pondering if it is possible to cover the entire outfield by himself.
Boo Blue j….wa? Booo Royals
Yea Mac!!
Raul sucks against lefties, but name another bat we have that also doesn’t suck against lefties. Ellison? Burke? Sexson’s out. So, that’s it, really.
Batting position could be better, I suppose, but regardless of where you put him he’s a black hole, and you’re not going to put Raul farther then 5th.
Why is Ellison on the roster right now?
I AM curious as to why Ellison didn’t go in for Guillen last night as a late defensive replacement, but, then again, Guillen has been the only one hitting the last couple of games…
The folks on the radio pre-game show reported that McLaren said Raul’s move to DH was the result of a lingering injury, not any general lack of defensive ability. I’m not sure we can read too much into this lineup change.
This line-up acknowledges that Ibanez is a problem in left field
I’m all for giving credit where it’s due, but this might just be resting the guy (by DHing him) who recently missed games with back issues, or whatever was ailing him. Maybe that’s the cynical interpretation, but there you go.
Hamstring, not back issues.
It was a tied game, so they needed Guillen’s bat last night. Otherwise, if they got the lead, you would’ve seen Ellison.
If today’s line-up is even one small step towards Adam Jones in left field and Ibanez at DH, then Richie Sexson’s bruised thumb might be the team MVP.
One small step for man, one giat leap for mankind
hear hear!
‘giant’ leap
meh
What is stopping the team from dumping Ellison and promoting Jones? Isn’t that as simple as it gets?
Playing time. Isn’t that as simple as it gets?
16: I bought that excuse under Hargrove…but I won’t just assume Mac can’t run a platoon.
In a platoon, Jones would start maybe one game in 4 or 5. 1 or 2 games a week. Is that really what you want him doing?
Ralph: of course not, I’d rather move Ibanez to the DH permanently, and alternating him with Vidro where the situation demands it. (or dumping Vidro altogether…pipe dream)
But, is it necessarily true that it would only be 20-25% playing time? Roll him out in left against lefty starters, as a late inning defensive replacement (Ellison’s current role), and in left field when Ibanez is DHing against righty batters.
Further, according to Dave…AJ has nothing more to learn in AAA, so why not let the Big Club manager have the option to use him whenever. Would this stunt his development in any way?
I’m not saying that’s a good reason, but it’s clearly the reason.
The answer to the problem, of course, is to sit Ibanez against lefties, and sit Sexson, Vidro and occasionally Guillen against righties. Bingo, a spot is created for Jones.
Ralph: yeah…I think you’re right that it is the “official” reason. Of course, the “official” reason is just evidence of a lack of creativity on the M’s part.
Sigh…
I heard while Mike Goff was managing in AA, he flat out Mooned an umpire…bare ass!!!
It’s not a lack of creativity, it’s a lack of the courage it would take to sit high priced veterans in favor of an “unproven” rookie. They might do that if the team was losing, but with the team winning I’m sure there’s a feeling that would generate too much bad feeling in the clubhouse and spoil the “chemistry”.
Well, that was quick. Just sat down and, piff, Raul does Turbo’s job.
23 – Here’s a link
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E0D91030F936A2575BC0A962958260
will the sonics sign latrell sprewell too ?
27 – Did the sonics do something stupid?
PJ is the new coach
what a great start for big mac…
ugh. this game is going nowhere fast.
The triumphant return of Jeff Weaver, ladies and gentlemen!
time to get a bus ticket to Tacoma put in that locker…
This is obviously all McLaren’s fault.
The original Splash Landing.
good game! Talk to you guys tomorrow.
26 – thanks, it looks like there was a five day span between the incident and when he was allowed to coach again.
Wow smashed on an 87 mph Fastball inside and up
I think I’ll go have some root canal surgery. That’s gotta be more fun than this. Tell me again why this guy is a starter?
Mother EFFER!
guess it was pretty much right in the middle of the plate…:|
Blowers…Shut the fuck up…
Wow. Buehrle is looking pretty good about now.
he’s now equaled Bad Weaver’s worst start.
Just think of how much fun I could be having if I suddenly became a Royals fan.
82!! what was it?
The Weaver Spirit never truly dies – it just finds a new host.
Everybody laughed when KC swept the Angels.
Well, glad there’s still time to do other things with my evening.
Is this a re-run?
I think I saw this game about two weeks ago.
Hey, the Sonics are hiring Carlesimo!
sigh
Kind of like Real Estate – Location, Location, Location. And this kid has value like a plot of land in the Tri-Cities….
usually pissed about going to my night class…at least i don’t have to watch this…later…
can Adam Jones pitch?
I’m going to go throw some rally fries in the oven.
Ha ha ha ha! Ha. Well, at least I can save 50 cents or so on my electricity bill by not watching this game. Back to Baek!
does anyone actually think this game is over?
Man, somebody get Willie his BP screen and send him out to hurl.
“Feierabend has a real good move to first base.” Swell, but it’s his moves to the plate that concern me right now.
The ankle! Obviously to blame for the six runs.
I don’t think it’s over, but someone better put a fork in Ryan… I think he’s finished in the majors for now.
on the plus side, de la Rosa is on the mound. and tonight is when he’ll throw his three-hitter…
OTOH After Jose Lopez hit that walkoff he had two days off due to a sore back…If I remember correctly he was pummeled by his teamates about the back and head. hmmm
If it’s his ankles this game, wtf was it the last he got belted like this against Cincy…
Only 8 more walks and this baby will be tied.
I’ll take a double by Kenji too. No idea how Guillen doesn’t score on that though. Musta been walking around the bases.
50 cents? Hmm, even at really bad winter rates, say 8 cents per KWH, that means your TV and cable box is burning a couple of KW per hour. That’s hell of a TV. Does it give you sunburn? Cook your dinner? Set fire to your house?
How long till our 3rd base coach is gone? I swear he costs us 5 runs at a minimum a year by sending or not sending runners.
Wish I could be watching the Tigers/Indians game right about now.
65 – It’s a 150″ screen.
Oh boy, that was productive.
65 – It’s the lamps he’s using in his basement for a grow room.
You’re in a 2-0 count, where you can be somewhat picky on your selection of pitches to swing at… and Lopez takes a crack at one around his shoulders. Awesome.
When it comes to platoons, sitting veterans, etc, I have to note a report regarding last night’s game:
“In an emotional pregame meeting with the players, [MacLaren] assured them he planned no major changes in a team that has fought to within four games of the Angels in the AL West.”
72 – Hmm. Sounds like a predictable “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” scenario. But during the offseason they tried to fix a broken machine using lots of duct tape and Krazy glue.
mclaren did mention the added speed with willie in left field, kind of an admission that ibanez is not the best option as a fielder in left field.
Jeez, that kind of looked like the Kennedy assassination.
Great, so Feierabend takes the M’s out of the game and Kenji out of the lineup. Yay.
At least Burke can hit. Not like Kenji, but not like RR either…
not good.
does Willie remember where he put his catcher’s mitt?
What happened to Kenji?
AAEEIII!! Jason Davis warming up.
BTW, how did Sexson hurt his thumb? I saw the play where he left the game, but the sound was off and it was not at all clear to me even where he was injured let alone how.
Pitch hit the batter and bounced directly towards the top of Kenji’s wrist
78. *whack* with a foul tip. The hand = bad.
Dave N has lost all hope with Feierabend. I will join him. No outs, again.
looked like it was the hand just above the thumb, and it hurt. A lot.
Feierabend hit the batter, ball deflected right into the thumb of Kenji’s throwing hand.
I hope nothing is broken (probably not), but that looks like it will probably leave a nasty deep tissue bruise at least.
Well, Kenji earned a couple days of rest anyway.
of course, the last time Ryan got his butt kicked, the Ms went on a 7 game win streak ….
Does anyone know Hargrove’s cell number? Maybe we can get him to call up McLaren and tell him to change pitchers.
Sims just said it looks like we’ve reached the “dogs days” point of the season. I hope it’s not the “shoot-ourselves-in-the-foot” point of the season as well.
Dave N is getting really abrupt in his calls ex.
He got him!!! NO
thats a foul ball!!! NO
thats it for ryan!!! NO
there’s a single!!! NO
An out! An out!
all part of the KC conspiracy to win through Mariner player attrition. Supposedly, Billy Butler ran right into Sexson’s glove, bending the thumb back.
…and my rally fries aren’t even finished.
77: If we really want to live dangerously, Rauuul used to be a “emergency catcher” as well.
Billy Butler, Mariner Killer.
Hey David…… It’s now officially over.
When Butler puts up a six spot, your pitching is in a world of hurt.
Is it living dangerously when you’re down by 8 with no end in sight?
We’re approaching the point where they might as well have the moose catching.
Wait, so when’s the last time one person had two 9 ER games in the same season?
Ye Gods. We’re being Angel’d by the Royals.
Fangraphs has our WE at 2%. Stranger things have happened.
didn’t that happen in every weaver outing in april
um… how about not pitching to Butler? just a suggestion…
6 and we’re not out of the second. Truth be told no other team i would want to be down against than kc
Just got home to watch the game. Leaving the house to go get drunk.
oh yea..Jason Davis
#97– never mind, it’s a 10 run game.
well, now, Davis just needs to try to match his 7-run relief outing of the 22nd as well.
And so the standard losing streak that follows a winning streak begins. My guess is we lose tomorow and lose 3 of 4 to Oakland and we go into the all star break a more realistic 7 games over .500. This is is not that good. Pitching is bad hitting is average and defense is average. We are a .500 team.
Dave N, I’m going to fly to KC and kick you if you don’t keep mentioning how the team had won 8, and NOW THIS! Shut up!
Hmm…wonder if Weaver passed off the cursed baton to Feierabend?
Time to pull the regulars, give the bench guys some playing time. Oops, most of the bench IS out there playing…
#106– well, June was L, WWWW, L, WW, LLLLLL, WW, L (16-1), WWWWWWW. July- W,L
I love when Dave answers the trivia question in like 2 seconds. Congrats, buddy. You know the answer. How bout giving the rest of us a shot?
96: At least he wouldn’t need a glove…he’s already got those padded hands!
If someone were to blow a 9 run lead, I would put it on De La Rosa….
Rizzs has nothing else to talk about, so he is smothering the players with even more looooove than usual. Look at Willie hustle up the line, even though they are down 10 runs. Look at Ichiro, how that fella can hit…
so, whats the current total– Sexson’s thumb, Kenji’s thumb, Raul’s hammies?
106 If you think that this is a .500 team, shouldn’t your prediction be that we will go .500 from here on, not that we will lose a bunch of games?
Of course, some nights it is hard to imagine how the Mariners win at all.
Not to sound overly optimistic, but it is only the third inning and this is KC. Look how we scored on bad fielding there.
Unfortunately, Vidro + Ibanez = the Ultimate GIDP Team.
Please send Ryan F. as far away from the big leagues as possible. Two of these stinkers out of his last three starts shows he should be in the Pioneer League and not the American League. I sure hope this is not the start of a terrible 7 game road trip.
RAUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLL…….Another DP…. YOU SUCK!!!!!
McLauren seems to be throwing out the same lineups as Hargrove. Maybe we have got a Hargrove clone. Ibanez should not bat higher than 6 with a lefty starting. Does anyone else hate this offense minus Ichiro and Joh?
Ryan is, what, 21?
115: I think we should add Feierabend to that list. If he went on the DL with a “mystery” ailment, then he wouldn’t have any more stinky starts for a while.
It’s amazing how quickly Rizzs goes from being a very good play-by-play guy with a near-perfect radio voice to incessantly intolerable.
hey, maybe Butler can go for a really novel version of the cycle — he already has the 3-run HR & the 3-run double ….
since his 4-hit game vs the indians, ibanez has hit .182 with 4 gidp
What kind of a name is “Rizzs” anyway? I can’t attach it to any particular nationality. Odd. Anyway, he should change the spelling to “Rizzz”.
This game’s pitchers:
Feierabend, Davis, Rowland-Smith, Bloomquist
126: Italian, he claims.
I just tuned in, and have a question.
WHAT THE F*** HAPPENED?
Rizzs is short for an un-Americanized Italian name I cannot recall.
Jason Davis has already pitched more innings than RF – in less than half the time.
117-agreed, it looks like they have just given up though…lopez’ play looked oafish and damn I know you can’t give up d position in such a game, but hold the runner!!
Rizzs has always reminded me of Neil Diamond.
http://mlb.mlb.com/images/team/broadcasters/broadcaster_sea_rizzs.jpg
http://www.sesac.com/news/images/Neil%20Diamond%202005.jpg
133: Doggone it, you’re right…
Hopefully, though, he’ll never become aware of this fact and start subjecting us all to horrible renditions of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”!
I just checked the score for the first time tonight. Good gravy.
#128 — he said one time that Rizzs was shortened from another name … Rizzoli? maybe?
Dave tells us that last year KC got up 10-1 in the 2nd, and proceeded to lose to the Indians, 15-13, with long relief … by Jason Davis.
hmm. not that this isn’t a fascinating game, but the mailman delivered The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. today.
Time for the mysterious return of the Yuni-bomber?
Those fatal words, “He’s due (for a grand slam)” right before the SO.
134… or “forever in blue uniforms”
“Willie… (dah DAH DAH dah dah)… you’ll be a regular… soon!”
There’s nothing like TV for the power of imagery vs dialogue.
“Time here for a big hit,” right as the camera focuses on our next hitter, Wee Willie.
This is not the part of the lineup you want in a bases loaded no-out senario.
scenario
Kenji has a bruised right metacarpal, day-to-day.
Just as I was about to type, just a hit, a single, Bloomin’ Willie strikes out.
okay that really, really sucked.
139: …Or, “Crunchy Club Level Suite”!
Bring out the Gimp!
For some reason I think it’s a good thing we missed the boat there. Now we get the top of the order and DeLarosa is still in. He seems to be struggling now and this next inning might be the breakthrough
Here comes the return to reality as the Mariners lose 11 out of their next 14 to dash all our high hopes and exactly when everyone is screaming the Mariners are finished and it is time to cash it in they will make a spirited winning streak to bring them within 1 game of the wildcard in early september…
#124
The three run single is the tough one. If he pulls it off, I’ll be impressed.
Uh-oh…”Superstar” Billy Butler strikes again!
And somewhere, Mike Hargrove is chuckling.
148: You can’t honestly believe outs are better than runs?
Yay, bases loaded with no hits.
ok, it’s over.
did hargrove pull a “nate mcmillan”, by leaving after he took the team as far as he could take them.
Jason Davis obviously wants to be a middle reliever. This is why when he is a long reliever, he does stuff like this.
156… or a Pat Gillick. Get out while the getting is good.
It’s weird that he did it in the middle of the season.
good night, I think maybe the Tampa Bay game may be better, at least they only need 4 runs
I think Hargrove left because he just couldn’t take baseball seriously anymore. I can respect him for that.
“This has not been pretty.” – Dave Sims
I’m thinking paying more than $0.15 for Buehrle at this point, is like putting ‘How to Tread Water’ brochures in the cabins on the Titanic.
WNBA basketball is on.
147: That scene with Neil playing underneath in PF was, without a doubt, the LEAST attractive of Uma Thurman’s career — though this game almost makes me want to wretch about as hard!
Fangraphs has our WE at 0%
Methinks Grover has a crystal ball hidden away somewhere.
Ask Batista about the Titanic. You will get an intersting answer.
Isn’t this game an echo of the game on June 22nd, the day Griffey returned?
I think the Gimp would be a better pitcher at this point.
Of course not. But in the situation givin i think they would have pulled DeLarosa if he gave up another hit\walk. To me I think he is ripe for the picking next inning and he is likly to give up more than just one run and maybe when they pull him we will be in a better situation. Kinda drunk trying…to…explain
So, has anyone been to the Kwik-i-mart yet?
Sims: “Well Stroked by Raul”
Sounds like the name of a late night HBO movie, because I know he’s not talking about Ibanez’s hitting.
ok next inning :/
Anyone passing through Issaquah? I need several more bottles of wine. I find, that I am too drunk to drive, but not nearly drunk enough. And I need wine not for drinking, but for lieing down and AVOIDING! (Credit to Monty Python for last line).
Sounds like the name of a late night HBO movie
Definitely a movie, but I think you’re going to need one of the pay-per-view channels.
172
That movie starred my second wife and our pool boy.
172: Or, a late-night flick on Spice.
All they show on HBO anymore is reruns of Cathouse.
If it’s on Spice, why late-night?
anyone in tacoma tonight watching mark lowe ?
Heh, that dumb KC manager left de la Rosa in the game. Heh he.
Ervin Santana has 11 SO through 5. He’s losing though. wooooooooo!!!!
I wonder what kind of contract they gave to McLaren.
Oh, no…this mess of a game has gotten so bad, Neihaus is starting to reminisce about his childhood in Indiana. I hope that doesn’t mean we’re in another horrid chorus of “The Wabash Cannonball”!
Is anyone left watching this game?
Rowland-Smith. Will the Royals score a total of 20 runs now?
Well, the good news is Santana is out for the Angels, and they are down 4-2.
I might actually consider turning my MLBtv over to the extra inning Det-Cle game.
AAARGH! Dave N. just mentioned singing “The Wabash Cannonball”! That’s it, I’m starting a psychic hotline!
I can’t decide who I want to win that series…
189… at least it’s not “A Man and a Train”
I think that with Kenny back and the Break coming up I want Cleveland to win
OK, I give up. How can the Ms only have two bench players in reserve – Sexson and Broussard?
so…how’s our RS-RA diff?
I think the pitching staff hit four batters tonight
194: I believe we were +14 before this game.
I don’t even feel they’re running up the score, they can’t give us an out!!!!
Oh man, whenever I think my job is crappy, I’ll remember this game, and listening to the announcers.
“Wow, some guy’s selling popsicles. I’d like one.”
Silence from other guy.
“You don’t like popsicles?”
“I like popsicles all right.”
Another muffed ball; another runner. “Argh! Everyone safe; bases loaded!”
a grand slam might just about finish us off tonight
Mike Blowers should buy a Kansas City fan some fries.
Wilkerson!!!! MVP of tonight’s Mariners game.
Thank God the Angels are losing. This score and some allergies make for a lousy evening.
So, does this change the minds of anybody on trading for Buehrle?
200 – I agree, Mike Blowers should buy a Kansas City fan some fries.. with a big old dookie in there.
Cause I know I would trade Ryan, Wlad, and scrap for him
So what’s the Mariner club record for runs allowed?
Guillen has been saving our ass tonight.
Ah, so sad… the Feirabend era comes to an end in Seattle.
Four grand slams… please please please..
Ok, I answered my own question – it’s 20, by Detroit on April 17, 1993. I went to at least one M’s/Tigers game that season, but that one wasn’t one of them.
Quit being so pessimistic. Only 14 more runs and we’ll have it tied up!
208… is that official?
211 – yeah. It ain’t over till the fat lady si… nevermind.
When it rains, it pours. Except when the M’s win; when it rains, it lightly drizzles.
well, that sucked.
glad I don’t have to go to work tomorrow and hear about this one.
I don’t know how folks around here feel about ESPN’s “game score” stat for pitchers, but I do know that I’ve never seen one of -4 before. Even Weaver at his worst never go below a 10 or so. Eeeeccccchhh…
This morning I was groaning at ESPN’s resident ex-GM “expert” Steve Phillips loudly proclaiming that the Mariners would be derailed by Hargrove’s departure, and everyone else disagreed with him.
After tonight’s game, it’s going to be awful hard to listen to him smugly telling us “I told you so”. Put a cork in it, Steve.
Steve Phillips is great. Sure, he’s kind of an arrogant prick, but I like him. Though as a Mets fan I’ll never forgive him for the Mo Vaughn trade.
#209 – Substitute “Weaver” for “Feierabend” in your post and we’ve seen it before.
ah, I see I didn’t miss much, other than more pain.
and funny, no manager can survive crappy pitching and non-existent offense.
At least the Angels lost.
I TRIED to be in Tacoma watching Mark Lowe, but despite my season ticket holder parking pass, I got to sit in line for 45 minutes trying to enter the parking lot before a Rainiers staffer came and told us all that the lot was full. I decided to go back home. Very irritated.
But I was listening, and Lowe lasted all of 4 batters in the top of the 1st. Threw 14 pitches. Gave up 2 hits and a walk. Got one out.
I guess this is the end of Ryan’s audition….get ready for the new and improved HoRam. You have to think Jones should be making his debut any time now.
I think we’ll see Baek back.
Is it okay to call Feierabend a poor man’s Nageotte?
Feierabend is the kind of cheap talent you can pick up instead of a multi-million pitcher.
Hopefully, Cha Seung will recover from his “mystery ailment” soon.
RF as a “poor man’s Nageotte” may be a bit generous — though I suppose both are a wash.
Does Bill Bavasi have Ken Williams phone number? I hope he does, because we could use some reinforcements.
You people are amazing. A 21 rookie pitcher has a couple bad outing’s so you give up on him? Get some perspective.
228. Not to give up on him, but when a rookie’s made 5 starts, looked horrible in two of them and has looked no better than passable, it’s probably a good idea to either take him out of the rotation or send him down to continue his development.
Dayn Perry gives USSM a shoutout:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6988424
#229 is right. The minor leagues is the place for Not-
Ready-for-Prime-Time talent like Ryan. One scary thing to consider is that RF is considered to be a bright propsect in the Mariners’ farm system, just like another soft-tossing, lefty washout named Travis Blackley. Is the curse of Jamie Moyer: that the Mariners are enthralled with “crafty, control, change-of-speed” slow ball lefthanders? I hope that the M’s management understands that it took Jamie a long time to figure out how to flourish with his less-than-overwhelming stuff. That kind of lightning only strikes once in a very great while.
#224–One last thing: RF is not a poor man’s Clint “The Man of Sweat” Nageotte, but an impoverished man’s Rich Bordi, who had two starts in the 1980’s, lasted one-third of an inning in both of his starts, and finished with close to an infinity ERA.