Game 87, Tigers at Mariners
Bonderman vs Washburn, 7:05 pm.
Mariners run out the same line-up they did last night. Last night, they faced a lefty. Tonight, it’s a righty. Line-up unchanged.
Contrast that with Jim Leyland, who has Ryan Raburn in CF, Marcus Thames at first, and Craig Monroe in left field tonight, with Granderson and Casey on the bench and Thames switching positions after starting in left field last night. Why? Because Jim Leyland believes in the value of platoon splits and stacks his line-up with right-handed hitters when facing LHPs, such as Jarrod Washburn. If it’s good enough for Jim Leyland, who isn’t exactly a nerd with a blog who doesn’t understand the value of team chemistry and structured line-ups, it should be good enough for the Mariners. /end soap box.
This is a big game for the M’s – Bonderman’s a terrific pitcher with lights out stuff, and the Tigers destroy left-handed pitching, hitting .304/.361/.503 against southpaws this year. Safeco should keep some of his flyballs in the park, but still, if the M’s can pull this one out tonight, it will be a steal, and the M’s need to keep stealing games they shouldn’t win if they’re going to get into the playoffs.
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Its Friday the 13th… anything can happen
I think we can steal this one
Perhaps “The Great Escape” will apply to this game, and even this entire series, and not just Beltre’s play last night.
I’ve been hot on my predictions lately… so I’m taking a shot here.
Ibanez and Lopez have good nights, Washburn gets beat around a little but battles, and the game is another ugly win. Bank on it.
I like the hopeful Dave….the writing is passionate and the analysis spot on. Good stuff and this is just a game thread.
We’ve been hearing, “this is an important game/series” for a month now. Aren’t all the games left important?
Two things:
1. Broussard should be in the lineup.
2. I just saw Valle on TV. I have heard those radio commercials that he is doing for some hair restoration treatment, and it seems to be working. Still, he only looks less bald. I can’t believe that he will grow back an entire full head of hair, which he probably hasn’t had since his early twenties. Why do all that treatment only to look less bald? He should have scrapped the treatment and aged with dignity.
That lineup tactic only works if the Tigers face a weak bullpen. If it’s close by the 7th, then I can easily see another victory tonight.
FSN and their innumerable commercials are missing all the Ichi-love at the stadium
Who’s watching on MLB.tv right now? I’m on mute, so I don’t know if this is the Tigers or the Mariners feed… but what’s with the girls in bikinis playing football in the pool? Not complaining, exactly, but…
Did it actually have anything to do with anything?
He hasn’t far’d well? What the hell!
Nice clip was shown here of Leyland giving the 4 umpires an earful about the game last night. The umps stood there and took it – they knew they (well, Froemming) deserved it. Watch for a makeup call or two tonight.
Where’s Blowers? Why do I have to listen to Valle’s version of the English language 2 nights in a row? “Farred very well”? WTF?
9. Isn’t it hot in Seattle? The TV side had swimmers/boaters, looking almost tropical.
Washburn is smoking.
Good Washburn?
Blowers is gettign 2 days off, Niehaus 4 days off and Sims was sick (hence the night off last night). Valle is deadly on the ears, more so than even Rizzs.
I love when the announcers’ mikes pick up something like they just did: one long, protracted ‘booooo!’ for Sheffield. Cussing is also amusing. Makes me want to get a ticket up by the pressbox to see just how loud you have to be to make it on the air.
Smoking what? You have me worried here…please explain.
Current playoff percentage according to coolstandings.com:
Boston – 96.5
Detroit – 89.2
Los Angeles – 78.4
Cleveland – 60.7
Seattle – 42.7
New York – 17.1
This is getting veeeery interesting…
Him and Weaver just picked up some good weed
Maybe it was too much to hope that anyone who could survive on the bench with Hargrove would be willing to do something different.
I really had hope due to those games when McLaren managed and Grover was in Cleveland.
Oh, well. If they stay lucky they can win even without doing smart things.
hey, it’s eddicational to learn the way Queen’s English is spoke.
hey, it’s eddicational to learn the way Queen’s English is spoke
That’s “shpoke”.
“Queen’s English”? Are we talkin’ Queen’s New York?
It seems like Ichiro’s swings are more aggresive than usual lately. Not as many ‘poke it into the shallow outfield’.
Whatsa matta you!?
Washburn is kicking ass so far.
you gaht it
26: Isn’t that Bullwinkle’s alma matar?
Who IS this new strikeout pitcher we’re featuring tonight? He’s awesome.
Richie always looks so pleased when he pulls off a defensive play.
That looked like a mess waiting to happen. Nice job, Richie.
It seems like Ichiro’s swings are more aggresive than usual lately. Not as many ‘poke it into the shallow outfield’.
I think riding around in that Hybrid Tahoe has gone to Ichi’s head, and he’s thinking he’s a $100 million dollar home run hitter.
I kid, I kid.
Pudge has wheels, damn.
Nice Catch Big Sexy. Now back it up with the bat.
Richie always looks so pleased when he pulls off a defensive play.
Reminds me of my uncle’s dog when a squirrel he was barking at fell out of a tree right in front of him. Holy crap, that’s so cool… how did that happen?
4Ks through 2? Whaaaaaat?
My God, I hope Washburn isn’t flagged for a drug test tonight.
Meth’s a helluva drug.
We want the FUNK!
Woohoo early lead!!!
Guillen has left the yard!
what, we are going to have sideline reporters on Fox baseball now? who the heck is Jen, and why is she talking in the middle of an inning?
Guillen Woooo
come on Sexson, follow suit
Hey, our platoon poster-child (non-Ibanez division) with a same-handed HR… exciting.
Look at that tub o’ seeds.
The suck continues for Sexson.
speaking of the Tahoe, do you suppose they ship that specific Tahoe north, or does Ichi just wander into Huling Brothers and ask for one?
Inge is good.
Make Valle and Simms stop . . . especially Valle. Please. Seriously.
Fwiw, I think the answer to that AFLAC question involving how many pitches Nelson threw in one inning of work vs Toronto on this date in ‘95 is ONE. A triple play was involved on a goofy bunt if I remember right.
Levine is a much better color man than a play by man on radio.
Finish him off, Washburn!
Looking at some of tonight’s scores, I was surprised to see the Phillies scored thirteen runs and even stranded FOURTEEN more runners.
How bad is St. Louis right now. And going into this year, who would’ve thought our M’s would be soooo much better than the defending world champs at this point or even the Skankees?
#53– I frankly can’t recall, did Levine do any play by play when here? I know he did in the minor leagues…
#55 They really don’t want to get number 10,000.
Tonight’s quiz. Consider a team where the 10 players with the most at bats have the following OPS+:
A. 134
B. 119
C. 118
D. 118
E. 107
F. 100
G. 97
H. 94
I. 90
J. 77
Question 1: Which one is the DH?
Question 2: Which one is on the bench?
Question 3: Which one is the 1Bman?
We REALLY need a double play here.
Why is it that every time I watch Richie run it reminds me of someone that is running to the bathroom in an emergency situation? Fast but not TOO fast.
56
He did in 1992 on the radio quite a bit. (I think that was the year). He was a bit odd, but really funny. Especially in games that were already decided, lol.
Valle: “Carrie Sheffield”
oh why oh why…
Uh oh.
strike out or DP
Well at least the ump CLEARLY squeezing Washburn didn’t effect the game at all
Game Over.
Wow.. Well, that kinda takes the wind out the sails.
That really hurt. We’ll take the lead in the seventh though.
fries!!! we need fries!!!! STAT!!!!!
The 7th? No, now, the 3rd.
#56
Levine was doing the game last night play by play on radio(in fairness, by himself) for most of the night, and he was awful, at least in terms of describing the game. He was funny, but whole chunks of the game would get lost while he was telling stories.
Time for the comeback to start.
This would be a really nice spot for one of those home runs you hide in your back pocket, Ichiro.
What the hell Ichiro.
Can we take that contract back? I think we overpaid…seriously, I was kinda expecting this. I think Ichiro is trying to do too much for the critics.
Announcer tip:
“exacerbated” means “to make worse”;
“exasperated” means “to be irritated or annoyed”
They are different words.
Holy fuck VIDRO!?!?!
Glass power…
I cannot even express my shock.
Good lord. What’s gotten into Vidro?
Somewhere in the world Samson is laughing right now.
I … DON’T …. BELIEVE … WHAT …. I … JUST … SAW!
Well at least he hit a double instead of bloop single that stranded Yuni at 3rd.
If all the talk of Jones coming up keeps Turbo hitting, so be it.
Vidro does not want to give his spot up huh?
Vidro reads the papers confirmed.
Ibanez home run and tie it up, come on! It’ll be the night that Ichiro goes 0-4 with 3 strikeouts and Ibanez and Vidro combine for 8 runs.
Despite that hit, in general, seeing Vidro -> Ibanez fills me with dispair. What a black hole in the line up.
Hey now we are in the same spot as we were last night. Except Bonderman doesn’t look half as good as Miller did…we got the Tigers right where we want them.
I just logged in, but has anyone heard anything more about the M’s calling up Adam Jones?
Pudge gets greedy
ok, you are fast for a catcher, but not that fast, Pudge
Now what was it they told me in Pony league? Don’t make the first or third out at third?
He may have been safe.
Wow Pudge, that was dumb. Thanks.
Oooh, good call, he’s out.
He was out by 4 inches
Phew…
Pudge woooooooooo!
#93 Sure if he had slipped past the bag. Beltre would have had him though when he stepped on the bag after Pudge ran home.
That was a great deke by Beltre.
Gameday must be broken. Heh. It said Raul Ibanez threw Pudge out.
Stupid programmers.
That’s a joke, isn’t it? “Raul threw him out.” Just not funny.
The guys are talking about chatting it up with the opposing team. If I was a catcher, I would just say this to every batter: “Your mother’s a whore”
93. But he wasn’t.
85 and 85. Vidro’s job was in jeopardy only in the blogs and columns… all of which are nothing more than speculation. Aside from the double over Ordonez’s head, he’s done nothing different the past two days than he’s done the entire season.
what the hell does Carlos Guillen have around his neck? Voodoo beads??
paging Ben Broussard– Mr. Broussard?
You know, BKM, you’re awfully confident for being totally wrong.
Beltre should try to steal as Kenjiuni does jumping jacks in front of Pudge. He just needs to make sure not to touch him.
I wonder if that injury is still bothering Kenji as he’s been quiet with the bat lately.
I’m ready for the first pitch swing. Are you?
Kenji has the coolest bat-flip on a base hit ever…
Fan here in Orange County.. Didn’t realize I could listen to the game online until I just read 101.. and Johjima extends innning.. Nice.
HE DIDN”T SWING!
Its so hard to sustain a rally when you only get two real outs (innings where we’re subjected to Sexson that is)
The only thing I remember Danny Tartable from is Seinfeld.
If you walk this Rookie twice in one game…
Wonder who they’re talking about?
“Minor leaguers just pound away at the ball…can’t be ignored….but teams don’t want to mess with chemistry….”
Of course Valle was talking about some dude from back in the day, you know, just generally.
114: Tartabull…
http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tartada01.shtml
Washburn is killing me right now…and he’s killing the Ms.
sweet, bases loaded with one out again…we saw how this worked out last time.
117: Thanks, figured I spelled that wrong. Now that I see it, it seems so simple.
OK, I know there are good reasons to dislike Valle (still him right?, but that was some good banter about Fielder. The chuckle by Simms about the HRs by 13 YO Fielder was really fun… assuming that Valle wasn’t just lying and all.
114
Did you see that?! That guy gave me the finger!! And you too! He gave the Yankees the finger!!!
I’d like to give Sheff the finger at this point…sigh
Danny Tartabull.
this isn’t shaping up very well.
I almost had a heart attack.
Holy crap…that was Vidro-iffic by Ordonez!!!
122: When I saw that episode for the first time and saw the guy with the funny cast I completely lost it.
Hah! Jopez was lucky Yuni got that off quickly.
Now I know what that heart attack will feel like when I eventually eat too many rally fries.
I started yelling then I stopped
“God….thanks. Thanks God!”
hey, when do the Mets next have a national game? I want to see Rickey Henderson leaning over the shoulder of the Met standing on first base, ready to give him base-running instructions
(”hey! Runner! Rickey says the pitcher takes 1.6 seconds to the plate, and the catcher is 1.8 to second base, so you don’t run, unless Rickey tells you to”)
121: Can I get you that end bracket? ‘)’
Sorry, that was just bothering me.
That was the worst animation I’ve ever seen.
I remember when Tartabull came up. He played second base in the minors, even though it was obvious he couldn’t play there. He made a ton of errors in AAA, they brought him up, and in about a month they realized he couldn’t play second or short, so they moved him to right. So he had to learn to play right in the majors, and even though he had a good arm, it was painful to watch.
Then after a couple of years, the M’s traded him for crap. He went on to play 10 more years and had a career OPS+ of 133.
Ah, those were the days.
http://100percentinjuryrate.blogspot.com/2007/07/definitive-rickey-henderson.html
Great Ricky stories. Not my blog, so dont clown me for shamless plugs.
take a damn pitch, would ya?
the graphic reminds me, for all that Valle is a doofus, he does some very fine wirk with Esperanza.
After that bobbled/realized double play, I have decided to officially recall my comment in #66 and declare that the outcome of this game is, in fact, in serious doubt.
Hopefully our hitters can do enough math to realize a measely three runs isn’t going to cut it tonight.
Well, if we get down by four or five, at least we can count on a Sexson extra base hit with one or nobody on late in the game.
Wow, Yuni is an error making machine this year.
I thought Sexson should have had that one. Yeah, it was a bad throw, but the replay showed it was within reach.
At least he’s still making the diving, amazing plays
DOH!
so between the Tigers hitting them where they ain’t and Washburn wavering on the tightrope ….
138
When Sexson actually starts HELPING the team, we’ll let ya know
i was just saying that because i thought it should be an E on Sexson instead of Yuni. Actually, given the safeco scorer, it should have been a hit.
If they bring Morrow in, this game is over. Im calling it now. He will load the bases and give up another HR.
Just think how good the Mariners would be if they had traded Sexson, not traded for Vidro, and kept Soriano.
If the Tigers have any pride, they’ll get at least ONE run besides the ump aided Sheffield blast.
way to throw offline from shallow left field with momentum, raul
noooooooooo
If Yuni could only count the OTHER people his errors put on base, he’d surely have an OBP over .300
146
Can you have “momentum” from running so slowly?
Did anyone here the guy in the background on the TV broadcast? THROW A STRIKE!!!!
Hahahaha
good point. I should have said “glacial crawl”, slow but relentless.
I don’t think Washburn likes those long breaks between starts
Sims: “Just one run for the Tigers but it’s enough.”
Enough for what? Enough for them to have 5 runs?
Pff.
143. while i don’t think morrow is best served by learning at this level. how much are you willing to put on your prediction ? since morrow is in now, i thought you might provide some extra entertainment value.
I think I heard something about Morrow = loss….??
Well I was only half right. At least he didn’t load the bases first.
gomer, you should have taken the action. i would have pulled a kenshabby. the hr was close enough to your original prediction to warrant a victory.
So we put in Morrow to face Casey, when Washburn could’ve stayed in for one more batter for the lefty/lefty match up? Brilliant
You know, if it makes anyone feel better… just assume that it was the money we saved taking Morrow instead of Miller that we were able to use to pay Vidro.
That’s how I like to think about it, anyway.
144. You’re right. The Mariners would have had Bucky Jacobsen, or better yet, Scott Spiezio at first, a great set-up man, and a broken down Chris Snelling in right.
Fwiw Morrow’s June was something to behold. A WHIP of THREE for the entire month. (Including 15 walks in just nine innings)
Gracious sakes…
BELTRE!!!
161
Yeah those .202 hitting first basemen are sure hard to come by, lol
HR for ADRIAN!!!
Kinda makes us wish we didn’t waive the white flag with Morrow and that Yuni didn’t give a way yet another run.
Good Beltre …. Bonderman is low on pitch count but he is hittable … I think our best hopes are against him and not the bullpen.
Good lord is Valle insufferable. This shall remain a “mute” game. BTW, Beltre is close to taking over the team lead in HR.
Nice catch, jesus.
Nothing you can do about that – hell of a swing, even hell more of a catch.
Brooks Robinson’s heroics were in the *1970* World Series.
did anybody see Leyland lecturing the umpire squad before the game? Looks like it worked.
And yet Sheffield gets a call that was MUCH closer than that one to Yuni. Just by the sheer fact Yuni actuallly took a pitch should’ve been the first clue it couldn’t have been a strike.
But Lopez makes sure Bonderman doesn’t have to work hard by surrendering on the first pitch. (Geez I hate that first pitch crapola that keeps middle relievers away from us)
Let’s not forget that Todd Jones is still nominally the Tigers’ closer and if we can induce them to bring him into the game … we’ll have a shot.
170: I noted it in Comment #11, and maybe that’s why Sheffield got his grand slam after not being called out on strikes the previous pitch which sure looked like a strike.
172
All the more reason it wouldn’t kill us to take a few pitches. I assume we have our usual total of exactly NO walks.
Ahhh…the Tigers’ ‘pen…aka their weak link
Here comes the comeback
So we’ve REALLY gotten away from the Gary Sheffield strike zone apparently
BULL CRAP that was a strike
hhhhwwat? Vidro beat out a double play ball? What is the world coming to?
See, Vidro really, really wants to keep his job. Look under the base for the golf cart he rode down to first.
And now…Ibanez. GIDP?
Ibanez vs a lefty
We’ll be lucky if he even hits it
i just can’t help but wonder how this game would have turned out with Adam Jones in Left. Maybe he would have been able to make one or two of those plays in Left field? When your competition goes 0 for 4, you can’t do much worse.
“An RBI chance here…”
Er?? He’d need to hit a home run, just say that.
And he didn’t.
We have to have the worst 2nd and 3rd hitters in the league.
Good call, 180. “Good” as in, you got it right not “good” as in “Good game, M’s!”
Time for a major shuffle of the lineup. This is absurd.
I wonder if internet porn is more exciting than this game.
Half kidding.
Too bad opposing managers know about this r/l “splits” thingy
Uh guys…
When did Brandon freakin’ Inge become an all-star fielder? Has he always been Brooks Robinson and someone forgot to tell me?
When are they going to fire Richie Sexson! He’s the weak link in an otherwise solid offensive line up!
This whole righty-lefty splits is botherin me, you are completely right by sayin we need some platoons. Cuz Ibanez, Vidro, Sexson, and Guillen arent gonna cut it. Adam Jones better be called up sometime soon.
how close was ichiro to getting that one?
Nice Eric…
Granderson WAS a cool 10 for 72 vs lefties
190 – Guillen hasn’t been as bad as Vidro, Ibanez and Sexson.
This, coming in a game where Sean Casey DOUBLES his hr total for the entire season
Re: # 52:
52IdahoInvader Says:
Fwiw, I think the answer to that AFLAC question involving how many pitches Nelson threw in one inning of work vs Toronto on this date in ‘95 is ONE. A triple play was involved on a goofy bunt if I remember right.
I thought exactly the same thing. (And it was.) Someone on the Mariner Newsgroup pointed out that Nelson had got through the inning on one pitch.
What troubles me is that these broadcasters know so little Mariner history. IMO they should know the answer to almost every trivia question they ask. But they know only the answers to a few of them.
Is it me, or has Sheffield been up every single inning? Or does it just seem that way?
All the more reason it wouldn’t kill us to take a few pitches. I assume we have our usual total of exactly NO walks.
Good guess.
Guillen is pounding left handed pitching. But Guillen is not doing much against righties, Ibanez cannot hit lefties, and Sexson is not hitting much of anything. You’d think a smart manager could at least work Broussard into games against right handers.
I guess in reference to my question in 188, the answer very well could be:
About the same time Sean Green became Scott Shields, lol
Thanks re: 52 & unfortunately 197
Sexson should just take a week off…seriously
I mean back to the effin’ mound off of Todd Jones?
I’m like Pavlov’s dog.. As soon as I see Richie step into the box, I look to find where the remote control is.
angels just won — bottom of the ninth
198 – I’m not saying Guillen has been great, I said he hasn’t been as bad as Richie, Ibanez, and Vidro.
Guillen isn’t hitting RHP like he is lefties that’s for sure, but he hasn’t been as bad as Suxson vs. everyone, Ibanez vs. LHP, and Vidro just sucks.
Also, didn’t say he shouldn’t possibly lose some AB’s against RHP, just saying he hasn’t been as bad as those three.
Why oh why is Sexson even batting in that situation. You know he’s trying to hit a 3 run homer as the leadoff batter. Isn’t that an obvious Broussard opportunity? Why is he not in the game as a pinch hitter to try and get on base. Heaven forbid we replace the big right handed power hitter with a left handed hitter with a good OBP and AVG in a situation where we desperately need runners?! We now have 1st and 3rd with 2 outs. Imagine had we not wasted the first out of the inning on Richie?
Re: Nelson’s Triple Play
(See # 52 and # 195.]
Those who wish to reminisce about this can go to the following page:
http://tinyurl.com/2n9mbn
202
I’d have been shocked with any other result
did we already have the ‘why isnt Broussard pinch-hitting’ discussion the last two times Richie has come up to bat?
or Raul, when the lefty was in?
#203
I am not in disagreement with you, sorry if I gave that impression.
And despite what I said earlier, I am not sure I would pinch hit Broussard here. Please prove me wrong.
199
Sorry, should’ve read thanks re: 195 and 197 (not 52)
Man a hr would be beyond sweet. Maybe they’ll walk him to get to that lead off guy of ours, lol
Damn it!!!
OK, I am not that depressed. I though going into this series a split would be a good result. So we have two more games to get a win and get a split.
Wow…hard to believe Ben would fall for that way too high fastball thing that Jones likes to do. He had the walk, but as a typical Mariner: He’ll have none of that!
Oh well…this game just didn’t have a good feel to it at all, did it?
So the M’s lose a full game to the Angels today…Damn…
Richie Sexson is a vacuum of suck.. with a slow leak.
I am so annoyed. I am not one to believe that the M’s are oblivious to Raul being a black hole against lefties. It’s just too bad that they choose to ignore the numbers.
The post game (Drayer, Valle, Hutyler) was extremely annoying. Ibanez is dealing with the bad hamstring, the bad back and the bad shoulder and they figure he should just learn to play through the pain. Because, if he took a couple of weeks off on the DL he would lose his swing.
BWAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
He doesn’t HAVE an effin’ swing any more you MORONS.
I know it’s not strictly on subject but thanks to all of you who commented on my fill-on stint broadcasting for the M’s tonight and last night. Even the negative comments.
It was a crazy situation, especially being thrown onto the telecast and then that crazy play, but I had a great time, I love the Mariners, and although I was a little rusty and my voice is my voice, I think I conveyed the joy I felt being there and covering the M’s. And I think you could follow what was going on.
In any event, this is a terrific blog. And I learn more about the team from you guys than from anywhere else.
If anyone is interested, I have a blog as well. It’s more humor oriented. But for those who do enjoy my act, I invite you to check it out. Today I have posted my travelogue on my Seattle trip.
http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/
Thanks again.
Ken Levine