Game 89, Tigers at Mariners
Dave · July 15, 2007 at 12:40 pm · Filed Under Mariners
Weaver vs Verlander, 1:05 pm.
Like Friday night’s game, this is another one the M’s will have to steal, because by all rights, they don’t really have any business winning a Weaver-Verlander matchup, even if Jeff has temporarily borrowed the Good Weaver costume the past few weeks.
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So who’s getting the funk slam today?
Jeff Weaver’s new nickname is “Jackpot Jeff”.
This is the type of game the M’s can steal – it’s getaway day for El Tigres.
Broussard at first, Willie at short, Burke catching.
And oh yes, Vidro still DHing, Adam Jones in Tacoma.
J.J. Putz will hit the Funk Slam tonight. The M’s will lose the DH in the 7th when Broussard pinch hits for Vidro and then gets moved to first. The M’s put Putz in to pitch to the last batter of the 9th after Morrow loads the bases. Putz strikes out his man and comes to bat in the bottom of the 9th, and hits it out with Lopez, Betancourt, and Ichiro on base. Putz’s WPA shoots even higher.
3 Okay, apparently my prediction won’t work, since Broussard is already playing. Change it to Sexson hitting for Vidro.
matsuzaka, haren, blanton, halladay, miller, rogers. perhaps verlander will get added to this recent list.
did anyone collect from kenshabby last night ?
2: I kinda like Dream Weaver / Nightmare Weaver.
Remember what you did in the WS against the Tigers, Jeff. It worked before.
August 13th is the 25th anniversary of the release of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Sure, Khalil Green is more of a dead-ringer for Sean Penn, but the meme is funny enough to sustain more than one nickname. The metaphor of Weaver looking back on a wreckage-strewn early season and echoing Spicoli by saying something like “I can fix it! I have an awesome set of pitches,” and (at least so far) *actually succeeding* in spite of himself, is just too much like the film to pass up.
Happy Spicoli Day!
Khali Greene (sorry.)
Khalil! (keyboard sticks – sorry again!)
You know, I’m not really buying this “Nightmare Weaver” stuff. He’s been good since returning from the DL; if we presume he was hurt the whole time starting the season (not a stretch) then on some levels we can discount that performance.
Weaver, Post DL:
GS 6
IP 37.2
ER 7
BB 8
K 20
H 33
XB
BF 152
ERA: 1.67
BB%: 5.2%
K% : 13.2%
That’s pretty good. That’s really good.
And unsustainable. He’s never had that kind of success for an extended period of time. How many guys can do that for dozens of games?
Feel free to start getting hot anytime now, Ichiro
can anyone tell me why i pay 160 bucks (or so) for the MLB package on Direct TV and it seems that EVERY day game is “not available in your area?” i live in fucking california…how could i be blacked out?
Whoa. Khalil Greene belongs on the Reggie Cleveland All-Star team
I don’t understand what “not buying into it” means. Whatever his future performance is, he was in fact historically awful starting the year.
vidro is just boring
Verlander’s only hitting 95 on the gun today. That seems to be significantly lower than his usual.
For those mad at Extra Innings for not showing the game, I found a place online to listen to the game for free: http://www.wxyt.com/
The local radio station KOMO stream didn’t work.
go turbo!
Groundball. Shocking.
You know, I sit down, I bitch about Vidro sucking, and then he hits one into the hole to put runners on first and third.
This team would still be better with Adam Jones.
Turbo is en fuego.
Seems like Vidro is the type of hitter that might work vs Verlander. Goodness knows, swinging from the heels would be a bad idea vs him.
There’s gotta be 16 empty seats behind home plate…
Vidro is 6 for 13 since Adam Jones was called up to replace him. He must read Keith Law’s column.
Go Verlander!
The difference between a groundball being a single and a GIDP is a butterfly flapping its wings in Africa.
10: Hmmm…it could be speculated that the early part of JW’s season actually looked WORSE than what was left of that Trans Am in Fast Times!
But, Happy Spicoli Day nonetheless!
21- tried the link…said it can’t broadcast…
Verlander just hit 100 on FSN’s gun.
Even with one IN…knowing we had two on and NO ONE out, it would suck to leave both of them on.
Apparently Guillen and Broussard weren’t told about his change up.
Yeah 28 I thought that was a good idea. First leak that pacman is coming and then see what happens to Vidro. Vidro is better than he’s been playing and we’re better off making moves due to need (such as injury). Still though, the statistical arguments are strong, if jones can deliver in the big leagues is an x-factor.
That was a wicked, wicked curveball. That’s just not fair.
sucks to only get a run but ill take the 31 pitch inning
Hey, let’s look at the bright side: Verlander threw over thirty pitches in the first. That’s a good sign for the rest of the game.
Beltre just fell for it too.
The free swinging hackers are gonna have a tough time today apparently. This may be the ONLY game where the guys should be told to “use Vidro’s hitting methods” lol
Wow, nice recovery by Verlander. He’s pretty good.
The bad sign is that he struck out three in a row.
I don’t get the media (etc) focus on Jones replacing Vidro’s bat. There might be a potential offensive upgrade, but most importantly Jones would be a huge defensive upgrade on Ibanez (and at least a wash offensively).
Wow 31 pitches, I can already smell their bullpen..
35: Don’t know if I agree with you that Vidro is better than he’s been playing. His OPS is exactly the same this year as it was last year. This may just be the level he is at now. Even if he is better than he’s been playing, he doesn’t hit at the level one would expect of even an average DH. No power and no walks = bad DH.
getting one and 31 pitches is an okay start…got to get to their pen…
and dream weaver needs to be lights out against his former boys…
That was the bugs bunny pitch!
OMG, Adrian!!
42- jones will hit homers and doubles…and play excellent defense…
Hi, my name is Adrian Beltre, and I should win a Gold Glove.
39.
Vidro is not a patient hitter.
Yet another reason Chavez SHOULDN’T be the gold glove recepient every year
32- just click listen live…I have it on now.
50
True, but at least he can make contact in a game like this and isn’t trying to hit it 500 feet.
48: Nono, I mean even if he doesn’t do particularly well at the plate, Jones will hit at least as well as Vidro, and field much better than Ibanez. Jones’s offense is of secondary importance to that move, but it seems like that’s all I hear the media talk about.
I love Ichiro, but he sure can make the most awkward looking catches in center.
42, Jones has the potential to be a serious upgrade offensively over Vidro, who’s career is clearly in decline. Jones brings some needed power too.
Sexson needs to turn it up to.
At the beginning of the game my wife said to me, “It’s too bad that good fielding can’t make up for bad pitching.” Well, dearest, to a certain extent it can. Today’s game is Exhibit A.
Why is Ellison a defensive replacement for Guillen in late innings? Why not Ibanez?
Tiger announcers don’t think Ichiro is reading the ball very well in this series. Funny routes and a funny stutter step there on the track.
ooh it is ugly to watch raul run.
Breaking news: Sean Casey’s left leg has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
52- GOT IT! THANKS!
I made a bet with my friend who played minor league ball. I bet him dinner and Daniel’s that Weaver was gonna totally suck when he came off the DL. Yep, I can’t wait to pay this bet off.
I am on the Weaver bandwagon. I don’t care what anyone thinks. To be that bad in the beginning, then come back and be this good is a pretty good testament to his tenaciousness. I’m impressed.
If he finishes this game well, I will go buy a Weaver jersey.
Aloha, Mr. Hand.
61
Man, I think even Kenji and Raul would easily take him in a 100M jog, er uh, race
57: It definitely can. See Franklin, Ryan, 2001.
Weaver and the team- comeback story of the year.
63: This is the nice thing about betting opposite your emotions. If you have to pay off the bet, then you get some joy of the situation.
Fer instance, go to the betting markets and put money down on the Democrat/Republican candidate in the next Presidential election if you’re a Republican/Democrat. Then, if your guy loses the election at least you’ll win some money off of it.
1-2 again, seal the deal Jeff.
You know? I really like this guy they got to replace Weaver after he went on the DL. He looks an awful lot like him, but is about a thousand times better!
mlb gamecast is ahead of the radio…funny…
66: So Ryan Franklin has a 351 ERA+ in 45 innings this year. What sign of the apocalypse is that again?
70, They need to give these ‘roids to the rest of the tea,.
70: It really is Weaver. It’s just that when the aliens abducted him they trans-reversed his brain. Gephatdization. Forgot to put his eyebrows back on, too.
you know, I am starting to feel that Weaver actually may have turned a corner…. Even after his last three starts, I think we all were sitting there waiting for the 6 or 7 run inning to knock him out and destroy the confidence. His breaking ball looks good, fastball isn’t over-powering but he’s definitely getting it done.
GO JEFF!!
Er, ignore the year, remembered wrong.
How can you not like Jamie Burke?
Hmm, someone at that Detroit station must have messed up if they aren’t killing the feed for the game. I imagine there may be some serious trouble when MLB gets word that they’re undercutting the MLB radio package.
Willie!!!
Boom-Boom!!
Say hey, Willie B!
Ok, Sims, it worked, but Burke still only go to third.
The “Go Bombers” sign starts with “Bloomquist”? Ugh.
Igniter!
It’s the Willie and Weaver show.
Still though, to call a hit and run with Willie Bloomquist batting, Jamie Burke on first, and Justin Verlander pitching…I think I may want Grover back.
How do you get to second and third with a hit and run double with the runner on first?
Oh, yeah, that’s how.
Nothing warms my heart like seeing Ichiro come up when runners are in scoring position.
Did that guys sign just say “Go Mariers”??
Anyone else like that Verlander has thrown 44 pitches and still isn’t out of the second inning?
Nothing fills me with despair like seeing Vidro come up when runners are in scoring position.
91-
Nothing fills me with despair like Vidro come up to bat, regardless of the situation.
norm charlton
91,92
Despite my belief that he’s the type of contact hitter that may work better today vs a guy like Velander…
I sure can’t disagree
I was in Dodger Stadium two weeks ago to watch a game. Sigs are not allowed in Dodger Stadium, which really sucks. It’s fun to see the cool banners and clever quips that fans are capable of coming up with.
72: Actually, a 351 ERA for Franklin would indicate the world is proceding as normal. It’s what I’d expect…oh, wait. You probably meant a 3.51 ERA. In that case you are correct. The end is nigh.
Jones would have caught that.
89: “Mariers” would have been the name of the franchise had we started out in Quebec City.
I’d think the guy in your own dugout would keep yelling so you could “hear” where the dugout was and not keep having to look.
OK, PlanB, we get it. You don’t like Vidro. Now shut the fuck up about it!
Congrats, Vidro, on the hit in the first =)
So, cool stat, Jose Vidro has had 122 plate appearances with a 3-0 count since 2000. Richie Sexson has had 117. What this means, I have no clue.
68: If you’re a Rep, and you bet Dem, you’ll lose your winnings in new taxes and regulatory costs; and there wouldn’t be anything fun to spend your money on anyhow
95: Geez, didn’t know that the Dodgers were still living in the dark ages!
The radio fellows seem to be a little off track.
96: I meant 351 ERA+…which equates to a 1.20 ERA!!!!!!
Holy shit those are absurd. Who would want one of those things?
I don’t like Vidro, either. Do I have to shut up about it, too?
Or can I mention that his recent mini-success makes me feel a little sick? That ok?
by the looks of it… what does Ichiro do that Granderson doesn’t? He sure looks good this series.
108: Ichiro stretches. And does the cool holding-the-bat-out thing.
96 – ERA+
Granderson has an ESPN blog though, so it’s really a tough call.
The difference between Ichiro and Granderson is about fifty hits a year. Last year, Granderson had 155 hits. This year, he’s on pace for ~190.
He’s generating more power this year, but he’s never really done so in the past. If this is real improvement, and not just a career year, then the two have similar value.
Ichiro’s got a lot more track record to rely on thatn Granderson.
105: Wowsers!! I hadn’t been following Mr. Franklin that closely. Now I must run out and purchase locust insurance.
102: Good thing this isn’t a political blog, or I’d totally be outsnarking you right now.
No one out, two on for the D-Rays in the bottom of the 9th right now. Carlos Pena on deck. Mo about to blow a save. I’m feelin groooooovy
You’re on dangerous ground here, Mr. Spicoli.
To follow up, with RC/27 data:
Ichiro: 7.16
Granderson: 7.12
Yeah. Very similar value. Of course, Ichiro’s past seasons have been much better than Granderson’s.
It’s nothing personal; I don’t hate him. It’s not my fault he sucks.
what’s happening live? out of the third yet?
113: Thank you. While I might personally agree with some political sentiments that may or may not be expressed on this blog, I know that there are others who totally disagree with me.
And really, smart-ass politics comments usually aren’t nearly as funny as people think they are. And they alienate half your audience.
John, what would you do if Vidro hit a grand slam in game seven of the World Series to give us this win? Would you still feel sick? So, yeah, shut the fuck up about him and enjoy the hot streak. As long as Vidro is getting at-bats we should all hope he continues to hit and have quality at bats.
116: Definitely agree with you on Ichiro’s better track record. I also am wary of Granderson’s power numbers this year. I don’t know if he can keep those up. He certainly can’t keep up the pace at which he’s hitting triples (16 already). So his .563 slugging is probably a bit misleading, in which case Ichiro is even more valuable than Granderson.
what would you do if Vidro hit a grand slam in game seven of the World Series to give us this win?
What kind of an argument is that? What would you do if HoRam threw a perfect Game 7?
Please stop with the STFUs…
anyone at the game notice if buffoon froemming is moving at all on those balls hit down the left field line or is he busy shoving candy in mouth ? note his left pocket full of snacks.
We’re dangerously close to seeing the Nightmare Weaver…
114
The Rays hit into FOUR dp’s and two others thrown out on the bases (one at home), made three costly mistakes in the field (only one scored an error) and even started the horrific Edwin Jackson. Even so, it STILL took the Yanks until the very end to secure a tight 7-6 win.
Naturally the Rays’ SS, Harris, just whiffed on two bunt attempts and ended up hitting into a dp to basically kill their last chance for a rally.
The Yanks’ announcers (listened on XM) even remarked how lucky they were all day.
PlanB — I would be happy for the team and for Ho-Ram. Like any true fan.
Did Bad Weaver come out to relieve Good Weaver after the Infante strikeout?
Uh, this at bat is just a wee bit important
This isn’t nighmare weaver.
Detroit’s lineup just has a bunch of quality hitters who are taking what the Dream is giving them.
This year’s D-Rays are not quite ready for prime time. But that’s an impressive collection of young talent they’ve managed to accumulate.
Differentiate between hopes and expectations.
Time to fix it, Spicoli.
125
Naturally.
The Angels are running away with the game in Texas… c’mon our Weaver!!!
JeffS is way out of line.
Any true fan… leave with the junior high debate club rhetoric.
Ichiro! saves the day
119: Quite welcome. Also, you are correct with everything you said – except I’m sure Willie Bloomquist’s political comments are all scrappy and ignite gritty debate.
Dream Weaver prevails…at least for now…duh duh duh!!!!
Gotta luv the anti climatic last out that Guillen just hit
whoo
120-
That really necessary? And Vidro hitting a grand slam? haha thanks for the laugh bub.
Weaver worked his way out of a bases loaded jam with the help of our Hundred Million Dollar Man!
Weeeeeaver!!
I am out of line? I am rooting for our players to succeed — even if it is the blog’s most wanted Vidro or Ho-Ram.
Remember how many of you were hoping Weaver would get bombed after coming back from the DL?
What fans wish for players on their team to fail? I don’t get it.
Axtell — it was hyperbole to show that people like PlanB still would still hate on Vidro even if he did something as incredible as that.
Seriously, wishes and expectations are different.
What kind of person repeatedly tells another to shut the fuck up? Hard to believe you say that in person to total strangers every day.
If that was a question, yes, you are out of line. Cheer for players success as much as you want, but no need to curse.
Big Ben comes out to a Pearl Jam song???
This isn’t working the count guys make Verlander work!
144: It’s long-term vs short-term thinking. If Vidro had done as badly as some people wished he would, 3 months ago, Adam Jones would be batting right now.
Hcoguy — if you were sitting in front me in the safe ragging on Vidro after he just had an important hit I would tell you to shut the fuck up. Don’t worry
120 – Are you serious with either the “STFU’s” or the “What would you do if…’s?”
Because both are pretty ridiculous.
And if you are excited about minimal short term success at the expense of what’s best for the team, then that is your problem, not mine.
And when you tell another poster to “STFU” because he is being critical of a player, perhaps you should try a different pasttime.
Or at least a different player to defend, might have to spew random bile at people less often.
125: Gotta love the Bronx Bombers at their finest!
Y’know, I wonder if some of these folks are spending more on props to get rally fries than the fries are actually worth.
151 That is exactly right. What we all want is the player who will contribute most OVERALL to winning a World Series. Vidro is not that player, and no matter what he does, he isn’t going to be that player. He just isn’t good enough. We want him to do poorly so that the best player available can play, and so in the long run the Mariners will win the most games possible, rather than see rallies defused by GIDP’s.
150
I got up simply to heat up some pizza, and before I can take a bite, Inge is batting?
What? Are we back to swinging at the first pitch everytime up?
John — looks where the team is at right now. Would you trade it in for anything? No way. Who knows, maybe we would be a couple games better with AJ playing than Vidro. But as it stands, Vidro is stuck with the club no matter how much you complain about it. So let’s all support Vidro because we both know the brass isn’t going to pull him anytime soon. Not with the team doing so well.
He is going to be pulled soon. That is a fact.
Sean Casey should NEVER be able to steal a base in a major league game. I don’t know who’s fault that is, but that’s really sad
casey steals? WTF?
I really like Burke, but that was a TERRIBLE throw.
The sad things is even with a perfect throw he would’ve been safe
144:
I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t root for players on my team who are starting ahead of players that are better than they are. I root against Vidro because, even with his current “hot streak,” he shouldn’t be in our starting lineup. Broussard and/or Jones should be getting Vidro’s at bats, and we would be better off for it.
McLaren needs to get someone warm in the bullpen, pronto. Weaver’s on the verge of a meltdown.
0-2 and he hits him
The slowest guy in the line up steals and we let him
Well…that’s two outs they likely would’ve given us and evidently we’d have none of it!
#144:
“What fans wish for players on their team to fail?”
A team is about more than just one or two players. The team is a team, and we want the team to succeed (i.e. Win games). If there are players on the team that are struggling or just downright suck at baseball then why, as fans of the Mariners team, would we want to see them suck and bring the team down with them?
good thing they brought up woods for today only…he’s about to get some work…
6% of Casey’s career steals have come today.
I’m rooting for Inge to fail, if that makes ya all feel better
158:
Where are team right now is, in my opinion, a bad spot. There’s no way we can compete with the Angels, Indians, Tigers, Red Sox over the course of the rest of the season and the playoffs. Our chances of making the playoffs are not very good, regardless of what our record is. I’m incredibly worried that Bavasi is going to make a move like trading Adam Jones to Chicago for Jose Contreras. Our team is playing far above our talent level and it simply can’t last. We’ve only outscored our opponents by something like 20 runs all season. Oakland has a better run differential. So, yeah, I would trade where are team is right now for quite a bit.
Iceman, but AJ is not with the team. And if Vidro failed today (which is what you want) then this would be a 1-1 game best case. I suppose you value individual performances more than the overall outcome.
169
I wonder how many have NOT been on the back end of a double steal
Are you kidding me? Dream Weaver is fully in control. This is part of his plan. He’s currently making the Tigers hitters overconfident.
I never, ever root for an Ms player to fail.
I am really frustrated with the amount of attention Willie Bloomquist gets, but every time he’s at bat I hope he hits a home run. I said “that’s gotta be his last start” after Weaver’s fourth, fifth, and sixth outings, and each next start I hoped he did well. I would like to see a different GM, but that doesn’t mean I wanted the Ms to lose so Bavasi would get fired; it just means there’d be a bright side if they did.
Vidro is terrible. He’s hit into more double plays (15) than extra-base hits (14). We have a slow DH with no power hitting second. He hits almost all ground balls, some of which may find a hole, but many others find a glove. That DP total doesn’t even count all the times he would have GIDP, but there wasn’t a runner on first, or there were already two outs. His single this game was great and all, but a fraction-of-a-degree angle different and that was another doubleplay. So it’s a little hard to get excited about. The facts that he sucks and that he frustrates me have nothing to do with me wishing he would succeed, or being glad if he does.
I am frustrated with him batting because it means the Ms aren’t as good as they could be with an internal move. I want the Ms to be better. Isn’t that being a fan?
Casey doesn’t run well… yet we still let him steal bases on us? The Tigres seem to be embracing the “run when they least expect it” philosophy with Sheffield stealing frequently and running Casey to boot.
Who knows, maybe we would be a couple games better with AJ playing than Vidro.
JeffS, go read the following entry,
http://ussmariner.com/2007/07/08/second-half-suggestions/
specifically, item #1.
172 Apparently you value success in one game over success over a whole season.
172:
Since, in my mind, we aren’t good enough to make the playoffs, much less win the world series, which is the ultimate goal of any franchise, winning a game today (i.e. short term prospects of the team) is not as important as winning games in 2008 and beyond (i.e. long term prospects of the team). That is why I hope Vidro gets benched and Jones gets called up.
Iceman, why are you so pessimistic? Seriously, get off it and enjoy it. No offense, but you think like a loser.
Don’t worry, Spicoli, you’ll probably squeak by.
I am frustrated with him batting because it means the Ms aren’t as good as they could be with an internal move. I want the Ms to be better. Isn’t that being a fan?
No, only by blindly cheering for the guys they continue to run out there, and never hoping for better decisions to be made that would help the team are you a “true fan”.
How often do you think this?
It will take a well placed single to score the dude that just stole second base
Y’know, planB, you’ve been patient in the face of rudeness. I admire that. I don’t know that I could be.
On a lighter note…goodness I love watching Sean Casey run. Unintentional comedy at the highest level
Granderson, you dick!
Is there a reason Granderson hits well vs all righties, but absolutely MURDERS the M’s pitching?!
Paul B, I agree 110% that AJ should be out in LF and Ibanez should be DH’ing vs lefties ONLY. But the harsh reality is that AJ is not with the club and we are stuck with Vidro. May as well root for Vidro and hope for the best with him.
He’s ba-ack!!!
“Dude, that was my skull! I’m so wasted!”
Jeff, no offense, but I find it incredibly rude to say I think like a “loser” when I have done nothing but respectfully disagreed with your opinion.
Welcome back, Bad Weaver. We knew you were hiding in there somewhere.
:’(
Nightmare Weaver!
Game set match
Guess that’s what happens when you literally give two outs away vs the best hitting team in baseball.
Of course with first base open, getting the pitch up to a power hitter is pretty dumb too.
booo.
I say boo.
Granderson, this series: 8 for 14, 2 2B, 1 3B 1 HR. 0 BB. .571 OBP, 1.071 SLG
Alright…get weaver out of there. Enough is enough.
Sitting in Sunny SoCal watching the Mariners on Gamecast and listening to the Angels on cable and I heard the funniest thing in a while.
After 7 innings I heard the announcer say “Through 7 innings Weaver has been outstanding”
Spilled beer all over myself laughing
I think its time to starve the troll. On a more uplifting note,we apparently will have a come-from-behind win today instead of the boring leading-the-whole-way variety.
Well, as Alice Cooper once said, “Welcome to my Nightmare!”
gamecast can’t keep up with the rate that weaver is getting shelled!
Iceman, I didn’t call you a loser. I just said you thought like a loser.
And Weaver was sooo close to getting his ERA under 6.
It’s not over yet!
Of course we all know this started last inning when the M’s hitters tried to set the record for quickest lame inning. What Weaver REALLY needed was a nice rest after his long inning before this one.
Jeff, which is exactly what I said in my comment, read more closely. And if I say you think like a blind optimist, I hope you won’t take offense to that.
They haven’t given out the rally fries yet, have they?
Did Rowland-Smith (hereinafter “Hypen”) come up instead of Woods when F-bend was sent down? Or was he up here already?
Iceman, I wouldn’t take offense to that at all. Being a blind optimist is quite fun actually
Dude, I can fix it!
Dammit, I leave for a little and all of a sudden the M’s are down…wtf happened?
200 Yeah, I’m still hoping for a Putz Funk Slam.
He was here already. Unfortunately so was PRE-DL Weaver
RR-S never got sent down. He was predicted by many to be sent down when Jones came up but Jones didn’t come up.
“I suppose you value individual performances more than the overall outcome.”
Wrong. YOU are the one that is valuing individual performance more than the overall outcome.
Assuming that the overall outcome is the M’s making the playoffs and a WS run.
I see this happen over and over again in baseball and football -a guy that has no business starting keeps his job far, far longer than he should because of occasional good results.
It’s bad management and I won’t root for it. And if it takes Vidro going 0-fer to get rid of him as our DH, then I will be happy to see it happen.
The only exception is if management is SO stupid that they allow the 0-fer to go on so long that is outweighs the benefit of making the move.
But in that case I start rooting for the 0-fer it takes to get new management.
That does not mean that I am unhappy when we win games because of players I want gone. It just means I have mixed emotions. Shades of grey and all that.
199: Gah, what kind of clowns are Prime Ticket hiring these days to do Angels games these days?…Oh wait, I think Rex Hudler’s still around!
Can we tire Verlander out by making him throw 12 pitches in the last TWO innings?
Hmmmm…I’m guessing, uh…
NO
Geez, even if our side was struck out the last two innings, he’d have to throw at least 18 pitches
Jered Weaver is pitching for the Angels!
We have the wrong Weaver
Damnit another short inning for the M’s
guys, remember the successful plan last night? being patient at the plate? could try that today, too, you know, even if Verlander is throwing more strikes….
John, how long have you been a Mariners fan? We both know a few 0-fers for Vidro won’t cause him to lose his job. He will have to have an Everett-esque period of suckiness before he is benched. The team can’t afford for that to happen at this point in the season. So I can’t understand why you will be get personal enjoyment out of seeing Vidro 0-fer game after game.
What the hell? I went up to get a soda…literally 20 feet away…and when I come back the inning is already over???
Mariners Baseball!
With Weaver throwing tons of pitches and then taking really short rests, doesn’t this pose a gigantic injury threat?
219: The other JW in for the Angels is not good news for the M’s.
David — didn’t Weaver appear to be injured during his last start? Any word on what happened?
Cleveland beat KC today, LA up on Texas 4-2 in the 7th, Minnesota beats Oakland, and Yankees beat Tampa. No one is helping us out today
Top 4th: Detroit
- C. Granderson doubled to deep right, S. Casey scored, M. Rabelo to third
- M. Thames homered to deep left, M. Rabelo and C. Granderson scored
Cubbies won again though…Sweet Lou’s got them-a-rollin’ right now.
In spite of the score so far, it doesn’t seem like Weaver has regressed to his pre-DL form. That’s a good thing… right?
Go Rangers!
230: Detroit is one of the best hitting teams in baseball. Weaver doesn’t look his best today, but he’s not getting pummeled by a bad team like he did earlier this year.
Rangers with a lead off double! one out now
230:
11 baserunners in 5 innings and 4 extra base hits is still not something to be excited over. I guess since it’s Detroit that’s hitting him hard we can give him a one game reprieve.
Willie, lean into that pitch, would you?
Willie B!
I have to admit, those giant rally fries are pretty awesome. Regardless of expense.
230 Weaver just pitched 5 innings and gave up 5 runs to a good lineup. That looks a lot more like “mediocre Weaver” than either of his other identities, “Dream Weaver” (I’d expect 1 or 2 runs) or pre-DL “Nightmare Weaver” (I’d expect 9 runs in 3 IP).
You son of a monkey’s butt, Verlander!
3-4 Rangers
Where did he get hit?
gamecast says injury delay….is ichiro hurt?
240: Looked like the side of the right knee.
Robbbbbbb! Jinxing Ichiro!
Ichiro seems ok, he got hit on the knee but doesn’t seem to be limping. He’s staying out there.
Verlander clearly meant to throw that inside, but even though he wasn’t trying to hit him and bring the tying run up, he should be a lot more careful when he’s throwing near 100 mph.
#240–looks like the outer R thigh, just above the kneecap. Not likely to put him out of commission, but it’s got to smart. Not Verlander’s fault, the pitch just got away from him I think.
230: Not a pretty line for Weaver today…but yeah, at least the Tigers are NOT the Royals.
Ichiro got hit JUST above the knee. One more inch lower and he’s be out of the game. He is on first a limping a tad but we’ll see how he does on the bases.
Rally Fry inning may strike again. No way Vidro GIDP.
Rangers tie it!
Go Rangers 4-4
Uh, when did THAT become a strike?
..but he can strike out looking. Although, that right there may actually save the inning. Maybe Mac told him he’s not allowed to swing unless they put it on a tee.
Go Rangers!
We REALLY must hate walks. Tell me that wasn’t a 3-0 count.
I know he swung at a strike, but the fifth pitch might have been a ball
Utterly stupid
gamecast shows raul hitting ball four? accurate?
It was marginal
Raul has hardly shown enough power this year to warrant taking a pitcher off the ropes.
Give Jose the hammer here and he’s done.
Heads up Willie!
Ichiro just got pulled.
Shit. So how broken is Ichiro?
Oh, no. Poor, Ichiro
222-
“John, how long have you been a Mariners fan?”
At a guess, judging only by your posts and your STFU’s, probably longer than you have been alive.
But, honestly, 20 years of that I was massively ignorant of any subtleties of the game.
“We both know a few 0-fers for Vidro won’t cause him to lose his job.”
Maybe you know that, I don’t. I know the Mariners were/are close to pulling the trigger, and history tells me that any success doesn’t make that easier.
There is a point of sucking that demands action, even for this FO. I don’t want that point delayed any longer than necessary.
“The team can’t afford for that to happen at this point in the season.”
Did you not read my caveat? Or did you just ignore it?
“So I can’t understand why you will be get personal enjoyment out of seeing Vidro 0-fer game after game. ”
It’s like you don’t even read the posts responding to you.
Oh. My. God.
is ichi hurt?
I think he’s probably just sore…I’d expect him maybe to sit tomorrow, but he’s not badly hurt.
Why is Allen Wirtala in the dugout? I know he is the S&C coach, but he was also the bullpen catcher forever.
so how about when they send woods down tomorrow for ramirez, they also send Rowland-Smith down for Jones and let Jones play center…
Oh yeah…like hitting a short dunker to Raul is even fair
Ibanez – Bloomquist – Guillen: This outfield is Exhibit B of why Adam Jones needs to join the club immediately.
Jones 3 for 3 with an HR today. But I’m a “real fan” so….go Turbo!!!!!!
As Mariner Nation holds its collective breath…
I love Jamie, but he has been brutal behind the plate today.
Ichiro getting hurt could end up being a good thing (assuming it’s only a couple day thing), because you’d think (or, at least like to) that would mean an immediate calling up of AJ.
271: Hilarious.
GO TEXAS!!!!
Don’t worry, dude, I can fix it.
TGF — root for them both — that’s what a true fan would do
Time to pull Weaver. He has nothing left in the tank.
so you bring woods up for one day, knowing he’s going back tomorrow, and you don’t use him but use a guy with no control…fucking genius…
Hmm, Ichiro getting plunked would be an interesting excuse to bring up Jones.
Rooting for Vidro is different from pretending that Vidro is good.
Take out Weaver, put in Morrow. You’re screwed either way!
Adam Jones is kicking ass.
Teej — exactly. Vidro isn’t very good, but we should still hope for the best with him.
YEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!! AWESOME PITCH!!!!
Hey, let’s pitch around Sheff, and then get MAGLIO! Jesus this sucks.
STFU, Teej. Good Morrow could be very effective in this situation. We need K’s.
I suspect the Umps are encouraged not to eject players immediately for having a negative reaction to a call. If Thames hadn’t calmed down quickly I’m sure he would have been tossed.
boy, they sure aren’t making it easy on Burke today….
TGF — root for them both — that’s what a true fan would do
Um, OK, but I don’t give a rat’s ass if Tacoma wins a PCL title.
TGF — AJ will be up soon… don’t worry!
8 strikes, 15 balls, 2 wild pitches, 2 walks: I don’t think that’s very good.
Right now it looks like Morrow is trying to get sent down to Tacoma. Try throwing in that strike zone thing.
The presence of JeffS is not making this hell any more enjoyable.
*scowl*
On the bright side Texas got out of a huge jam in the 8th…
Um, I didn’t say anything about Morrow, but regardless . . . he’s not helping the team.
293: That’s almost a Feierabend line, in fact.
No, a Feierabend line would include 4 hits and 2 HR’s. But close.
again, no woods…why bring him up if they don’t use him…jesus…he’s going back down tomorrow and we are losing…save the pen…fuck…
288. he could be, but recent history tells us he’s not as his control is basically non-existent.
I strongly disagree that there’s anything good about Ichiro being hurt. Even if it means AJ gets the call sooner, it also means Ichiro is hurt!! You can’t afford to go four or five days without the Ichi mojo.
The Gameday image of balls and strikes thrown by Morrow to Guillen looked a bit like the shot pattern of a Dick Cheney hunting trip.
I am becoming afraid that keeping Morrow in the majors to struggle like this with his control is running a great risk with his career. I do not want him to have the career path of Rick Ankiel.
Son of a gun!
dang, these Tigers seem to want to win.
so woods goes down tomorrow for ramirez…that’s already a done deal…but i hope we also see:
rowland-smith down for jones
morrow down for mikolio
I missed it, what’s up with Ichiro?
Nice play by Detroit. That’s good one to try on a LH first baseman.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Burkie, BUT…he’s not exactly reminding anyone of Carlton Fisk defensively today.
did sheff really steal home?
We’re going to get a series split against maybe the best team in baseball. If Ichiro is ok, this was a pretty good series for the Ms. If he’s not, this was an unmitigated disaster.
302: Word.
Vidro OPS 2007: .707
Everett OPS 2006: .657
Not much difference between them. So apparently the team can afford to have that happen to them at this point in the season.
Have to give Detroit credit, all year they have made the most of their opponent’s miscues. Probably made an effort to do that after the world series.
300 – So your saying bring Woods in because the game’s over.
308: He got hit by a pitch, just above the knee. No word on whether he’s seriously injured.
312- I agree. A split against the Tigers is good for any team in baseball. They just need to hope Ichiro is healthy, and since it was a pitch that hit him I imagine its just swelling. He didn’t pull or tear anything in the knee so no need to call up Doyle and ask for his doctor.
Has everyone given up already? With 80 pitches already we may be able to chase Verlander out in the 6th, and get back a few runs. In previous years I’d give up and go back to yard work, but these guys have me believing. I’ll call it here, 3 runs this inning, Verlander out, and the Tigers go to their shitty bullpen. M’s win series 3-1.
312 – Only if Texas can pull out a win to keep the lead over the M’s to only 3 games.
#267– Wirtala still takes time in the bullpen, but he hasn’t been the only guy out there in years. When he was with the team as Ichiro’s translator, Allen Turner taught himself to be bullpen catcher, and the last few years Dominic Woody, and now Brian Schweiger work out there.
hey bako, have you seen the tigers pen ? that’s why o’flaherty finished the inning, now they’ll bring in rowland-smith. and yes sheffield stole home, he went when o’flaherty threw to frist. he was going all the way.
Okay… I was wrong…
If Ichiro’s knee was swelling a lot, I am sure the trainer said get him out of the game and get ice on it immediately; the swelling can create real problems if it is not dealt with immediately.
And while it would be great if Texas pulled out a win, the Angels will have to play the Tigers again, too, and they will also be glad if they get out with a split.
There’s still a 3% chance we’ll come back!
what’s a $5 bet on 3% odds net with a win?
Anecdotally, the 7th has been our comeback inning. Let’s hope there’s some synergy with all those rslly fries and we can get this thing movin’.
302: I agree. Though there’s probably one or two folks out there who might argue “Well, look how well we played in ‘95 when Junior got hurt,” it should remembered that we had a DH who could hit with power, a 1B hitting 90 points than our current one, and a RF who, at times, was carrying the team.
That said, I hope and pray that Ichiro is not out for any extended length of time.
We still have plenty of games left against the Angels. I understand playoff math isn’t on the M’s side, but I can’t get upset at splitting with the Tigers.
Geez, when Infante goes yard on you, you know it’s probably game.
I think that 3% just dropped to .001%. Damn, I really wanted this one!
The M’s are finding as many ways to lose this game as they can; hitting bad hitters with pitches, allowing slow players to steal, and slap-hitters to hit bombs.
#326
Your $5 bet would pay your roughly $166.
324 – Yeah but the Angels next series is vs. Tampa, and the Angels get to play the Tigers at home for a 3 game set where the Angels have the 2nd best record in the majors at home.
All sports are equally ridiculous. Go Ms!
Your $5 bet would pay your roughly $166.
So if you made that bet 100 times, you’d be out $319?
Good thing I didn’t waste that 5 bucks at this point… but with the odds getting worse here, I think I’ll place a 5 spot on the comeback. It’s gotta be worth $200 at this point. That’d come close to a plane ticket home to see the boys play!
.326 live markets would have the mariners for sell at
1-3 units per share right now, if the mariners win, that share would be worth 100 units.
If they had a 3% chance of winning and you bet it $100 times.
97 losses x $5 = -485
3 Win x $156 + $15 (your intial bet) = 485
It’s more like $156 per win. Small math error on my part. Of course in Vegas the house would take a healthy cut assuring you’d lose regardless.
Anyone else think Yuni needs some of that Willie “Mays” Hayes treatment? Pushups for every popout baby!
336 Apparently you’ve never heard of “World Ball.” It was “invented” in the 1960’s I think and had essentially no rules except “don’t hurt other players.” It consisted in constructing a gigantic ball of out I don’t know what, a large number of persons gathering together in a large open area such as a park, and then everyone doing whatever they wished with the ball, pushing it, climbing on it, letting it roll over them, whatever.
There was no winning or losing and no goal except doing whatever you felt like.
That was a ridiculous sport.
Haha! “Must… hit… doubles…”
Thigh? Funny place for a thigh!
‘contusion on the side of his knee’ sez Rizzs
While I’m glad that the A’s are basically out of it now (no 2nd half run this year, no way), it seems that the Twins are now in it. Let’s just hope that the damnable Yankees don’t get hot.
#335
Hmmm, that does not sound so good.
But I am still happy with a split against the Tigers. Not only do I hope that Ichiro is fine, I hope that Lowe is fine and will take Morrow’s place, that Jones will be up soon, that Broussard will be worked into various platoons so he always faces right handed pitchers and … well …
OK, the radio just said Ichiro has a contusion on his thigh, so that should be ok with any luck.
Vidro and Ibanez just hit doubles so I feel like breaking into song:
Theeeee sun will come out tomorrowww
Bet your bottom dollarrrr
343: Almost sounds a little like “Baseketball”!
A contusion (bruise) is not a break at least, so that’s good.
truth master- You should spend your time learning how to spell, “yakking” not “yaking”, and “useful” not “usefull” and it’s “wasting” not “waisting”
perhaps one of the enterprising win probability guys/gals could build a an excel sheet with fancy line graphs that track “win probability” with the “live betting markets” and then do a real time comparison, and then pick your spots to invest.
Ken Levine called the diamonds on the baserunner graphic “triangles”, and Dave Sims just called the diamonds on a scorecard “squares”.
343: I picture an “umpire” with a bong
Well, this game certainly sucks.
354: Wonder if they passed Geometry in high school?
Excellent; Rangers-Angels go into the 11th and K-Rod’s out of the game.
Glad we went to last night’s affair and not this horrible mess. Last night was super-duper fun. Now the M’s are 3-10 in games I’ve attended at the Safe!
355 I’m pretty sure that was the case.
But it might have been standard equipment issue for players too
Yes! Teixeira homers.
Woo! Teixera just hit a home run, Rangers up 5-4 in the 11th.
At what point do we begin accepting that the Ms drafted a middle reliever in their first round last season?
The Morrow experiment has really turned into a line on the pitcher development abuse list.
On another note, anyone up for sending Wlad to Cincinnati for Arroyo?
363: Interesting — Arroyo may not be the Second Coming of Clemens, but at least he’s an innings-eater with post-season experience.
I’m worried about the Baltimore series. Tomorrow HoRam is pitching, and the next two days we face their best two pitchers in Guthrie and Bedard.
I’m up for Morrow going to the minors and learning how to throw a split finger.
If not a splitter then a good breaking ball and a change. FB his out pitch. He can still be good.
And Texas wins. Are we bringing Putz in as a pinch-hitter this inning or what?
Angels lose.
planB: You gotta type faster to keep up with me. :>
Wlad goes nowhere! I want my 2008 outfield to be Jones, Ichiro, Wlad. Now that’s scary. I’m all for dealing Guillen if we have to. I loved the idea of Clement/Reed + whatever(as long as it’s not Wlad or Jones) for Willis. Okay, enough rosterbation… back to rooting for Texas
Yeah, it is way to soon to give up on Morrow.
365: I think the key to the O’s is to get to their bullpen ASAP. We nailed those guys in the late innings twice in that last series with them.
While I would love the M’s to take 3 of 4 from the Tigers, a series split is really fantastic. This Tigers team is among the best in baseball, with arguably the best lineup in the bigs…and we stayed with them (well not so much today).
I have to think if we can split series like this from really hot teams and take 2/3 and 3/4 from the teams we are supposed to beat (like Baltimore), we’ll be just fine.
Is it just me, or is that 6 game slide to those very bad NL teams looking really, really big right now?
Angels actually LOSE for a change? I would run out and get my locust insurance too, but of course, we most likely wind up losing again on the SAME day! >:(
Vidro’s at-bat song at Safeco should be Judas Priest’s “Turbo Lover”.
363 – Personally I think Arroyo sucks (just my opinion), hasn’t the guy been early season Weaver bad in his last 10 starts. He lasted 2 innings and gave up 6 earned runs to the Nationals, and then to follow that up in his next start lasted 4 innings and gave up another 6 earned runs to the Pirates.
Isn’t it enough the M’s have Weaver, Batista, and HoRam in the rotation. I just don’t see the logic of having 4(if Arroyo joined) barely mediocre N.L. starting pitchers who have no out pitches in a A.L. rotation.
366 – You do know, his second best pitch is a split, and he has a slider.
Morrow needs to be in Tacoma!!! Him being here is not helping the team to many walks and to many runs gave up
vidro is terrible…worst DH in baseball…period…
Completely devoid of all Sabermetric analysis and going solely on blind emotion and irrational sentiment this series has left me feeling the Mariners really don’t have that much of a chance.
#378
I have been told that he has a splitter and a slider. I have only seen him throw fastballs and an occasional slider for a ball.
Woo Guillen! Crushed.
Guillen.
You do know, his second best pitch is a split, and he has a slider.
When your second- and third-best pitches aren’t suitable for use in the major leagues, it’s kind of irrelevant. He needs to be working on those pitches in the minors.
If the mariners don’t get pitching help this whole thing is going to unravel there looking like there coming back to earth!!!
Our WPA is up to 0%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I meant W.E. Whatever.
382 – His last outing he threw plenty of breaking stuff, he needs a solid change and even more than that command. His last outing he 9 of his 19 pitches were breaking balls.
385 – I have to argue his split is suitable, not great, but what makes the split work, commanding your fastball, without command of his fastball, his split can’t be used effectively and thats his issue, command…but his slider sucks.
Horrid game…but we did at least get a split in a four-game against one of the toughest teams in the league, and I’ll always take that.
385 – Also I agree he should be in the minors working on everything.
#389
I’ll take your word. When I see the game live I avoid looking at the radar readings: trying to see the ball the way the hitter sees it (atavistic impulses). So I’ll confess I see only fastball, breaking ball, changeup, and any pitch not near the strike zone I have trouble reading at all.
Sucks to lose today, but congrats to the team for splitting with the tough Tigers. Lets hope Ichi will be OK.
Oh no! The Mariners lost, the ship is sinking! We’ve only won 15 of our last 21!
Well at least Texas took out the surging Angels so we at least keep pace.
I really dislike Vidro. Bat him lower from now on, eh, McLaren?
383. Relax buddy, so they lost a game against IMO the best team in baseball. It doesn’t mean the wheels are falling off quite yet.
Seattle LHP Woods designated for assignment
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=2937821
Just making room for Ho-Ram. Guess the M’s were done with Woods, didn’t he still have options left?
397-Why not send Woods down then, if they were making room for Ramirez or why not send Rowland-Smith down?
I know it’s not on subject but thanks to all of you who commented on my fill-on stint broadcasting for the M’s last week. 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
Kenny, I’m only 25 but I remember your days as the color guy very fondly. I would have really enjoyed listening to the crazy stuff you could have come up with during that 17-3 game in KC last week. Needless to say I was very excited to hear you were doing the games this weekend and hope there will be more. Take this as a compliment, you are no David Henderson.
Ken,
Cheers!
Mariner Nation
Ken, I really enjoyed your commentary… it was a great break from the norm, and I hope you come back to do it again sometime soon.
Also, I love your blog… its fantastic.
#399
Some of the people treated you like they do Willie Bloomquist
but I enjoyed listening to you.
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050412&content_id=1013105&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea