Game 132, Mariners at Indians
JMB · August 30, 2007 at 3:02 pm · Filed Under Game Threads
LHP Ramirez vs. LHP Aaron Laffey, 4:05pm, radio only?
Ramirez, 2007 road: 8 G, 38.1 IP, 61 H, 45 R, 6 HR, 20 BB, 17 K, .363 BAA. That’s almost an unfathomably bad line.
Laffey, making his fourth major league start, is a groundball machine. First time out, he was 11:5 GB:FB. Second start, 14:2. Last start, 15:0. That’s not a typo. I’m sure Dave loves Aaron Laffey.
I’m going to go grab some BBQ, watch the game, and contemplate staying up to watch USA Hoops vs. Argentina at midnight.
CF Ichiro CF Sizemore 2B Vidro 2B Cabrera DH Guillen DH Hafner LF Ibanez C Martinez 3B Beltre 1B Garko 1B Sexson SS Peralta C Johjima RF Gutierrez RF Jones LF Michaels SS Betancourt 3B Gomez
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Vidro at 2nd
Guillen DH
Jones in Right
I wouldn’t say I love Aaron Laffey, but he’s a quality major league 5th starter. The Indians have these guys coming out their ears, which is why they were able to dump both Jeremy Sowers and Cliff Lee after poor starts to the season. It’s amazing what having a good front office will do for organizational depth.
By the way, Turbo back to second base in lieu of Jose Lopez, with Jones in right field, and Guillen at DH – once again, McLaren manages to put AJ in the line-up with a groundball pitcher on the mound and minimize Jones’ potential impact on the game.
It’s amazing how often he makes the wrong decision. And yes, Mr. Baker, it’s totally possible to make right and wrong decisions in baseball.
I really couldn’t believe that the first post was telling me Vidro at second when the introduction was talking about what a groundballer the guy is. This has happened a truly remarkable number of times.
If they want to give Guillen a day off, why not put Ibanez at DH, Ichiro in left-center, and Jones in right-center? Probably wouldn’t lose too much defensively.
Vidro has started six games at second base this year. Ignoring the two interleague games, McLaren has picked his spots to play Vidro in the field four times – twice with Ramirez on the hill, once with Batista, and once with Felix. Weaver and Washburn, the two flyball starters, have never had Vidro start behind them.
That’s just ignorance.
3 – I had the same thought, but then I realized that the groundballer pitches for *their* team. As much as we’d like Vidro to be playing 2B for them instead of us, it’s not the case.
Weird brain fart there about defense, etc., but the point stands. At least it’s not for Felix this time.
6, yeah, I’m so exasperated by these moves that I’m expecting insanity of that variety.
It may be a blessing that we don’t have TV for this one.
ESPN reports this lineup:
SEATTLE @ CLEVELAND
1. I. Suzuki, CF G. Sizemore, CF
2. J. Vidro, 2B A. Cabrera, 2B
3. J. Guillen, DH T. Hafner, DH
4. R. Ibanez, LF V. Martinez, C
5. A. Beltre, 3B R. Garko, 1B
6. R. Sexson, 1B J. Peralta, SS
7. K. Johjima, C F. Gutierrez, RF
8. A. Jones, RF J. Michaels, LF
9. Y. Betancourt,SS C. Gomez, 3B
-Ti
Dave, can we re-institute the Antonetti in ‘08 political campaign? Maybe get that neat button looking thing back on the right side bar of the site.
dude.. that isnt how i posted it… sory for the hard to read side by side mistake.
Just got the lineup in the post for those who like a train wreck.
julian,
Cracked me up on your 2 outfielder idea.
Oh, and given both lineups start CF-2B-DH, it’s easy to play Derek’s favorite game.
I’m going to go grab some BBQ, watch the game, and contemplate staying up to watch USA Hoops vs. Argentina at midnight.
Which will be higher, HoRam’s ERA for today’s game or the point differential between the US and Argentina?
Anyone care to put odds on this?
This game is gonna be a laugh. If the Mariners end up winning, it will be 11+ for the Ms and 10+ for the Indians.
oh, its gonna be a barn burner alright
I’d keep Jones, Beltre, and Yuni, but just because Peralta has always bugged me. Every one else, I’d switch.
15: I’d take them all, SP included, except 3B and RF. CF is a killer, but the dude’s only 25. I suppose I’d take Michaels just because he’s cheaper/easier to dump than Ibanez after the season.
McLaren is making my brain hurt. This is just lunacy.
Didn’t Adam Jones come up as a shortstop and was converted to outfield because of our developmental depth at SS? So, would putting him at 2nd, Guillen/Ibanez in the outfield, and Vidro still DH be better than Vidro at 2nd? Or is that too much like the second coming of WFB, hey he’s getting as much bench time lately…
I swear to god, we talk about this 3x a day. Jones isn’t going to convert to being an infiedler again, or a utility player.
Hey, I just noticed that “The AC” is starting for Cleveland? How long has that been going on?
Speaking of USA-Argentina, did anyone else watch USA-Uruguay besides me? I watched the first half and LeBron’s craziness, including his dunk where he got the ball in the backcourt and Walton gasped “oh no” as he started to pick up speed, then he rammed it home (again) over a hapless Uruguayan player (again). It was so awesome (mostly because of Walton) that I believe it was the complete opposite of the feeling of watching the Angels-series.
Anyone else think Baker has been weak the past few days? McLaren should have been criticized into the ground for letting Rick White pitch to Vlad. That’s like letting White be the closer.
The AC?
24 – Not only that, they are PLAYING HIM REGULARLY (and he’s hitting .316.) WHAT A CONCEPT.
I think AJ should pitch, I mean he used to be a pitcher, right? He couldn’t be worse than HoRam, could he?
“Hey, I just noticed that “The AC” is starting for Cleveland? How long has that been going on?”
Couple weeks now. He took over for Barfield, who has been a disaster at the plate this year. He homered off Santana last night.
ichiro playing in ‘96 for the Orix Blue Wave.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2JYg1DPtLg
27: Astrubal Cabrera
Wasn’t that his nickname around here a few years ago?
Here as in USSM? No.
I know its not a popular opinion or even a good one probably, but I’m glad to see Vidro at 2nd and taking Lopez out of the lineup. I’m not sure I can take anymore of Lopez’s give up swings even if it may mean slightly less range in the field.
Lets face it, we are going to need a lot of runs to win with HoRam pitching. Might as well get your best offensive line up out there.
If Vidro has 3 ground balls go just out of his reach tonight then you can call me a moron.
Is Jones going to convert to being an Arthur Fiedler, then, DMZ? Perhaps his future lies in music instead.
Lets face it, we are going to need a lot of runs to win with HoRam pitching.
Unless the team plays good defense, in which case they won’t need as many runs.
33: Derek, I don’t think it was official…you know…not like “Turbo” but I remember somebody saying it and it stuck with me.
Anyway…I’m weird like that ‘-)
I don’t need to have Vidro let 3 grounders by him to call you a moron :p
It’s not “slightly less range”. It’s a functioning infielder to a fire hydrant. Vidro’s lateral range is almost entirely gone.
31…off topic, but [deleted, off-topic]
Cabrera has been up since August 7th.
He has been so impressive that the Indians have him in the #2 hole already. He has responded by hitting .316, .333, .491., .824.
We haven’t even seen use his great basestealing skills yet.
Thanks Bill, another great trade.
McLaren’s explanation of his bullpen use on Tuesday makes my head hurt enough that I suspect his explanation of his employment of White would simply make it assplode.
if you want to be extremely depressed, check out Baker’s blog. Looks like Vidro at Second isn’t going to be a once-in-a-while thing anymore.
The one positive I had about McClaren at this point was that he was sticking with Lopez at second, showing that he knew that his defense was important. Now he wants Lopez to sit down for a while, and “gather his thoughts.”
The whole team is going to have plenty of time to gather their thoughts this October.
Speaking of Cabrera… Was Eduardo Perez an extreme pull hitter? I kind of liked the trade at the time, though I thought the price was too high, but could we have better foreseen maybe that he would be a really bad fit for Safeco? Or did he just fall off of a cliff? Or too small of a sample size to know anything really?
Meanwhile, the one guy Bavasi got from the Indians who is still on the team is mouldering on the bench because Mr. “his bat will catch fire any day now” Sexson is closing in on some kind of “most ABs by a .200 batter” record, and we wouldn’t want to miss out on that…
I understand the defensive side of it, but at this point I’m not opposed to taking our worst hitter out of the lineup to get some potential power into it. I feel like there is more of an upside there.
Are the odds of Vidro costing us runs at 2nd base better than odds of Jones creating runs at the plate? Plus we are improved in the OF.
26 – I totally agree with you. I like to read Geoff’s stuff, but he has seriously lost it when it comes to McLaren. Dave is right. How long would you be a job foremean if you let the painter do all the welding day after day?
Can Jones catch? He could spell Johjima…..
Are the odds of Vidro costing us runs at 2nd base better than odds of Jones creating runs at the plate? Plus we are improved in the OF
Depends on the GB/FB tendencies of the pitcher, obviously.
But McLaren, like Hargrove, has shown no evidence he’s even aware that those kinds of pitchers exist.
a game preview from the Tribe’s side of things. Wouldn’t it be so in-keeping with this year if Asdrubal is the difference-maker in today’s game?
and, crap. “Another August sweep of the Boston Red Sox put the New York Yankees in prime position for a September playoff run. Chien-Ming Wang took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, Robinson Cano homered twice off Curt Schilling and the Yankees beat Boston 5-0 Thursday for their third straight win over the Red Sox.”
Can Jones do nothing? He can spell Broussard…
Rick White:Mariners bullpen::melanoma:skin
I think we should call Vidro “maytag” to denote more clearly his range.
I’m as frustrated with McLaren as anyone, but is there any reason to believe the management isn’t happy with him? I hope I’m wrong, but I think they’re all going to be patting themselves on the back for doing so well this season. And they’ll draw all the wrong conclusions for next year.
I’m as frustrated with McLaren as anyone, but is there any reason to believe the management isn’t happy with him? I hope I’m wrong, but I think they’re all going to be patting themselves on the back for doing so well this season. And they’ll draw all the wrong conclusions for next year.
I totally agree with this:
Ibanez catching fire in August. Conclusion: He is still an everyday LF.
Vidro hitting a bunch of singles in August. Conclusion: He should be our DH next year.
Weaver performing decently since coming off the DL. Conclusion: Sign him up for round 2.
Morrow performing well out of the bullpen. Conclusion: He is a reliever.
“To tell the truth, I’m not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to,” Ichiro said about the Mariners’ three one-day trips. “If I ever saw myself saying I’m excited going to Cleveland, I’d punch myself in the face, because I’m lying.”
Gotta love Ichiro-isms. I wonder if his dog gave him any advice for the road trip.
OK, I’m stuffed.
Two ice creams today, bitches.
I loved the tone of surprise in Dave’s voice to announce a 1-2-3 inning for Ramirez.
We’re right there with you, Dave.
Yay Beltre or something positive about the team… I can’t get the taste of Angel W’s out of my mouth.
I realize many have said that Jones will not be converted back to an infielder, but….Jones has to better than Vidro at 2nd…doesn’t he???
Hey, Richie hit the ball hard! Progress!
Sigh.
Hit the ball hard . . to the pitcher.
he hit the ball hard? that must mean he’s starting for another week.
For what it’s worth, the Cleveland TV guys also seemed surprised that Ramirez looks sharp early.
Richie should walk off into a corn field, never to return.
65 Yeah, but the Twilight Zone one, not the Field of Dreams one.
Garko is 0-8 against M’s pitching this year? Why, I’m surprised they started him!
Or maybe Children of the Corn.
“You cannot send Garko.”
Garcia would have sent him…
Dave, is there any realistic possibility this is Ho-Ram’s last start if he just gets shelled again?
Airmail…..
How is it that a major league outfielder can’t make a better throw than that?
Jones, you’re killing me.
that got ugly pretty fast
Why do I torture myself…
You can take the if out of my last post
I meant Ibanez. But hey, Jones too.
I dont know why I find myself watching this team throw the season away.
I hope Lopez gathers his thoughts quickly, or we may not see a defensive double play the rest of the season.
Just bring in Rick White and get it over with. Send us all to our miserable mental drinking state of mind so we can get on with our night.
I love this from Mariners.com
“Horacio Ramirez, who has pitched better recently on the road, starts in Cleveland.”
Looking ahead, too, Marcum’s been on fire for the Blue Jays, there’s a good chance he entirely carves up this lineup to make it six games in a row.
I almost sent Jim Street an e-mail asking if he’d actually ever seen Ho-Ram pitch after I read that.
Tigers, Yanks both win easily and we’re down 3-0 after two.
Can this get any worse? I mean, that’s rhetorical, but I mean… geez.
BTW, has anybody been reading Baker’s blog over at the Times? He seems to go out of his way to defend the status quo (McClaren, etc.), doesn’t he?
Derek, you mean 7 right?
Baker was actually part of the free AJ group for a while, but a couple of weeks ago he decided that the team is what it is and they have to finish the season with what they’ve got.
Re 85: I watched the Cubs collapse in 1969.
This can get much, much worse.
Dammit, AJ.
I’m his biggest fan, but I sure wish he’d start making more of a case to be starting…
Mac PLEASE, please get Adam more at bats and don’t let him lose his confidence by playing him once every other week.
You have to be in first place to collapse. This team is just a tease.
I want to know what movie the Indians are showing after the game on Saturday.
1-2-3 inning… I can’t even “watch” this on MLB Gamecast. Time to head back to Ballard and commence my drowning of the sorrows. At least I can’t see this one on TV
Well, I’m eating some rally pie, so let’s see if that helps.
Griffey just missed 593 by about 6 inches, but it was his 1999 XBH.
Rizzs rambling on about AJ only hitting about .218 after ‘tearing up the coast league’. SO Rizzs, how many ABs in how many months is that for Adam?
#90 — what is it about Jones’s play so far that makes you think that he should be getting MORE playing time? (I know all about small sample sizes, but I’ve seen nothing–offensively or defensively–from Jones so far to make me think he deserves to be in there over Broussard or Ibanez or Vidro)
Go Griffey go.
Typo. That is 1099 XBH.
mmmmmmmm, pie.
dammit. stop walking the Indians.
AJ is good… but we are in a playof hunt and can’t afford to risk playing him. lol. After all, the combination of quality veterans we have now (Ibanez and Sexson) are really performing…
God forbid.
Just that, getting at-bats once every 10 – 14 days will not help him adjust to MLB. He has played positions that he has never played before, and is unable to keep the rust off because he doesn’t get to play often.
These are some great looking pitches
90- And he has been talking to Gritty Willie so his skills are declining by the day.
Actually guys. HoRam isnt that bad tonight.
If we could just score some runs.
Whew.
Did ibanez just rob peralta? Gameday is not being descriptive here
Contradiction, thy name is seacard.
I mean, yeah he let up almost 5 runs in 3 innings.. but other than that, it is a good night for him. Usually he is out of the game by now.
it looks that way, the red dot is out of the field. lol
Wow… Horam is only at 64 pitches thru 3 innings!!! He might make it to the 5th…
Did ibanez just rob peralta?
No, just on the track.
Gameday is funny. It shows that flyout as completely behind the wall in LF.
110- If Ibanez could jump that wall I don’t think we could complain about his D.
114 – oh yea, I forgot Cleveland has that huge wall in left and left-center.
This is it. If we lose tonight, we can forget it. The Yankees schedule only gets easier and ours only gets harder.
Gameday isn’t updating. Arghhh
Gameday crashed. Had to switch over to Gamecast
which is apparently the same thing because it still has Ral at 0-2 in top of the fourth
For what it’s worth, there was just a long argument between Eric Wedge and the homeplate umpire. That might be why it’s not updating.
Try Gamelog.
During which Wedge was tossed.
cbssportsline.com’s gamecenter appears to be working
I’m ready for dreamtime, Mr. B.
I’ve got them all open at once. I’m practically drunk on information.
so, what kind of pie was it?
and mustard, vinegar or red BBQ?
I’m ready for dreamtime, Mr. B.
YES! Best game I’ve played in years.
The Indian announcers keep claiming Richie must be hurt cause of the way he runs.
Nope, thats our star 1st baseman fellas. That is the guy chosen by our manager to play 1st base everyday on purpose. And I wish I was joking…
Sexson out? Hurt? His hand? Interesting.
Sexson just came out of the game…
The Indian announcers keep claiming Richie must be hurt cause of the way he runs.
Nope, thats our star 1st baseman fellas.
Nah, he looks worse than his usual lumbering self. He just got pulled. He’s hurt.
he actually is hurt. just left the game.
Guess he is hurt, looked the same to me though.
If I was Ben Broussard I would quit. Talk about getting a big fuck you from the manager.
He’s hurt. Sexson is out of the game.
Why would they Vidro to first and put Willie at second? Putting Ben in for Sexson would make more sense.
133: the only reason willie is playing is the pitcher is a LH. Otherwise, Ben would be in there.
Laffey is a left-hander.
Oh my God Sexson is hurt. There goes the season.
LOL Oh wait. . .
This is from the cbsportsline Glog:
—
Laffey is just pitching great right now. Mariners are getting the bat on the ball but the Indians defense is also playing great tonight. Mariners seem all but done tonight but there is still a lot of baseball to be player.
—
Is that what you are seeing as well, those that can see the game anyway?
They also wrote this to which I couldn’t agree more:
…the Mariners can’t seem to get anything going with the bats. This team is in a huge funk right now. They better snap out of it quick before they fall a game out of the AL wild card lead.
Maybe he has tendonitis.
Key Lime Pie.
The BBQ place claims to be Texas-style, but they’re called Rib Ranch (isn’t brisket the big thing in Texas?). Anyway, I had a rib combo platter, with back ribs, spare ribs, and one huge beef rib. Sides were smoky cornbread and baked beans (which was more like shredded pork in sauce with a few beans thrown in for good measure).
It was good but not awesome. I’m going to try the other place on Sunday… there are two Zagat-rated places in our new home of Marietta GA.
I realize that Laffey is a lefty. Should we take out Raul too?
Broussard is the back up 1st baseman he should be in there regardless of pitcher.
Vidro at first instead of Broussard?!?!?!
http://static.flickr.com/6/69250266_8c1f5c979c.jpg?v=0
Everyone on here is always talking about match-ups, well it seems that Mac is playing the match-up with Broussard and people still want to complain.
I was about to turn the game on, when my gag reflex kicked in (no joke). Unless the M’s make the playoffs I won’t be watching any more games this year – too much unpleasantness and anxiety; my nervous system can’t handle it. I’ve already cut nicotine and caffeine out of my diet, and now I’m cutting down on baseball.
This has been both a great year and a miserable year for baseball. The M’s being in it for a change, but often playing lousy. AJ finally gets called up, but too late, and sees little playing time. Felix starts out great, then goes on DL, then looks like crap much of the time. Meanwhile, my two other favorite teams, the Tigers and the Mets, have superb 2/3-seasons then start to lose it. It’s possible that NOT ONE of my three favorite teams will make the playoffs this year – which would truly make it a season to forget.
How utterly stupid.
I would like McLaren to follow Richie into the corn field (#65)
McLaren is just being consistent, saving Broussard for later just like he saved JJ in the eighth of the middle game against LAA, going to Rick White instead.
Johnny Mac is a doofus.
Hey, where’s Corco? I need him to break down this Idaho senator issue.
Which website has the most up to date score? It seems like foxsports.com but i don’t know.
Willie lifetime OPS vs lefties .686
Broussard lifetime OPS vs Lefties .695
AJ! GONE!
AJ!!!!!!
JONES!!
Everyone on here is always talking about match-ups, well it seems that Mac is playing the match-up with Broussard and people still want to complain.
There is actually more than one opinion expressed here on a given day. Perhaps you’re overgeneralizing?
JONESSSSS!!! How do you like them apples? Ye of little faith!
Wooooooooooooooooo!
OK, server’s going down now.
#90 — “(I know all about small sample sizes, but I’ve seen nothing–offensively or defensively–from Jones so far to make me think he deserves to be in there over Broussard or Ibanez or Vidro)”
I know all about gravity, but I’ve seen nothing to explain why things fall when I drop them.
WOOOOOO!!! Adam Jones HR! USSM server melts even though only 12 people are posting!
Hey something to be happy about, WOO HOO
Sweet!! McLaren should bench him now.
Followed by a Yuni double!
1. Putting Willie in instead of Ben is in no way “playing the matchup.”
2. AJ! That’s awesome.
YuBet follows it up with a Double!
141: Marietta GA? Home of Newt Gingrich?
Rallyrallyrally.
I think the server is still up only because a bunch of people are taking a break after the last series.
I knew my Rally Ramen would do the trick.
Egg whites found in the back of the fridge.
Not a good thing.
Adam Jones.
A good thing.
I am sorry I thought I remembered WFB being better against lefties. Well this one is on Mac. Did Broussard piss Mac off somehow?
149 cbssportsline.com appears to be the most up to the minute right now
well, thank goodness mac kept Vidro in the game.
169- You mean besides out performing Sexson and making him look like an idiot?
maybe they are keeping him out of the game because they are about to trade him back to the Indians….
Maybe they’re afraid Ben will be under too much pressure to play in front of his old team?
that was a big ribbie
Seriously, how can we get Mac off the bench in ‘08? Write our congressman?
Now its a ballgame again. GJ Guillen.
msb: Shoulda put them in your brownies a few days back…
The M’s OUGHT to remember this is a kid who’s pitched only, what, 4 MLB games before this? You’d think with the way he’s nearly stymied them, McLaren would take note that the kid ISN’T a VETERAN, he’s a rookie with less MLB experience than Adam Jones….and the Indians are trusting the rook with starting an actual MLB game!!
Dear Johnny Mac,
Can we please not send Ho-Ram back out there after making this a game.
Sincerely,
One who would actually like the team to win by employing the best strategy
Grr… mlb.tv froze.
Indians announcers just said that Sexson left with a tight hamstring. Hopefully, that’s a long term thing.
I go out of town for a couple weeks and I come back to see Adam Jones has all of 30 freaking at bats this year? Screw that.
Kid has 104 major league at bats total. Unreal how much weight those are being given by people in the media or people like Mac.
Ramirez has to be done, right? At 91 pitches?
Who am I kidding? He’ll come out and load the bases first, then the fireman Rick White will come in and . . . pour gasoline on the fire. The pessimism is heavy today.
FYI Gameday appears to be functioning and current
gosh, I love the Veteran Saavy that caused Raul to take pitches and really work the count when it became obvious the rookie pitcher had started to struggle …
179 – he’s probably keeping him in to save the bullpen. Hopefully he changes his mind before its too late.
Sexson leaves and the M’s start scoring..
#178. I have a feeling they’ve been there a long time. Those would have been some sad brownies.
Who is up in the pen? Indians announcers didn’t give names.
Nice of sexson to get hurt. Vidro gets to that ball approximately never.
Vidro can’t be much worse than Sexson at first (or can he?) I’d be interested to see how this team did with him and Ben at first and then the rotating 4 outfielders/DH. The last good Sexson game got him out from under the “platoon” lets hope AJ’s HR tonight fits with Mac’s small sample size reward system.
Green and O’Face in the pen. Which is scary because White will be available for lose this game duty in the 8th,
I think HoRam’s motto is “2 outs, so what”
193- Does that make McLaren’s motto “so what”?
Green in. 3 runs in 5 2/3 for HoRam in Cleveland. I’ll take it.
i’m giving Johnny Mac credit for taking Ho out here and not waiting until he loads the bases. that’s one good decision, so he only needs another…35 in this game to break even?
Crap, 192 might be right, with this many outs left and Mac’s usual usage there is no way we get to the 9th without a White appearance.
197 – hopefully M’s can maybe build a comfortable lead before Mac brings in White. At the same time, White could be one crappy appearance from being DFA, so who knows. At the same time, Mariners can’t afford to lose this game.
Yuniesky Bootin’ – Short
Dammit Yuni. What happened there?
I’m sure HoRam would appreciate it if SGreen wouldn’t let the inherited runner score.
200 – Really bad hop, nailed him on the knee and flew up and into left.
GJ Green. Further proving your awesomeness.
Whew
No sooner said than done (wow, is that reverse Sexson karma or what?).
199,200- Took a high hop and bounced off his knee into shallow left. Can’t blame him to much it was smoked and took a bad hop.
ok, Beltre owes a run or two here.
dammit Willie, stop trying to bunt.
I’ve gotta say Victor Martinez is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball.
OPS+ the past two years and so far this year compared with Joe Mauer:
Joe Mauer
2005: 108
2006: 144
2007: 116
Victor Martinez
2005: 132
2006: 124
2007: 135
Now I realize Martinez’s defense is inferior and washes out some of those numbers (plus Mauer’s had one less year of full playing time), but still, shouldn’t Martinez be mentioned along with the top catchers in the game? The only time I hear his name is in fantasy discussions.
I’d like to see Beltre steal here. Martinez doesn’t throw well.
yeah, where’s that aggresive Mariner baserunning?
OMG I just came back and a miracle has occured!!!!
1. HoRam isnt down 10-2.
2. HoRam lasted 3+ innings.
3. RICHIE SEXSON IS OUT OF THE GAME!!
4. AJ HIT A SHOT!!!
Wow… did Mac like hit his head or something??? Maybe he has decided to stop giving games away!
This is the First game that I can say that I am proud of Mac. He finally realized that a guy hitting 208 isnt gonna help. YAY!
Wow, great at-bat WFB.
so, Richie has not only been sucking, he’s been sucking and hurt. And still being run out to 1st base every day.
niiiiice kenji
He finally realized that a guy hitting 208 isnt gonna help. YAY!
Actually, Richie got injured and had to come out of the game.
Laffey is at 75 pitches in the 7th!
The Mariners been swinging like an old lady with an umbrella versus a handbag snatcher?
Nice, Joh.
Did Beltre get a bad read or what??
211 Mac had nothing to do with any of those things. Sexson is hurt and the rest of the things you mentioned are completely out of his control. If anything is going right in this game it is in spite of him, not because of him.
No, Beltre wouldn’t be able to score on that double. The LF got to the ball quickly.
bring a lefty to face Jones? let’s see how this works
ok AJ show those results-based analysis dummies why you need more playing time.
HERE we go AJ… lets shove this in Mac’s face for not playing you over the last month.
say, I hear Paul Shuey is now available.
call for a suicide squeeze here?
Mac takes notes here! If you have a good left handed reliever (Sherill) you can use him against righties in important situations!
Jones! Tie game
Can Adam Jones get a promotion to Gritty Veteran now?
bad swing at that
time for a yunibomb!
Nice job, Jonesey!
that worked pretty well!
AJ!
HELL YES. Whew.
Sad that I feel so much relief from small sample results.
Yuni doesn’t want AJ to show him up
Open the flood gates!
We have a lead? That’s weird.
double-steal!
That is a lot of speed on the bases, nice to see.
So this is what a lead feels like..
AJ is awesome
How can the Mariners not start him tomorrow after realizing what he can do?
If Richie has to hit the DL maybe we’ll see Ibanez at 1B and Jones in LF, now that Jones is “hot”.
Scoregasm!
not such a good day for Ichiro in the City of Face-Punching
As much as you guys disagree… I think this lineup is the best one.
Vidro at 1B is not that bad. He is a quality hitter (over Sexson) and I like Bloom over Lopez.
This is the “perfect” lineup, and I think the Ms should keep it.
How can the Mariners not start him tomorrow after realizing what he can do?
They’ll say it’s a small sample size.
Ok Guys.. we have a lead.
Time for Rick White to start warming up.
245,
not sure bloom is such a big offensive improvement over lopez
@245
You really think we need Ibanez defense every night? I’d rather see him DH and Guillen in the OF.
And also, Ibanez shouldn’t hit vs lefties…
Better Raul at DH and Jones in left though. Other than that, I can live with this lineup.
AJ undoubtedly owes his “resurgence” to his time on the bench, where he could watch “proven veterans” (the ones who have been through the wars), and see how they “do things”.
Rick White is getting ready in the pen to work the 8th now in a one run game.
hmm, why take out Green already?
Looks like JJ will have a 2 innings save the way Mac is burning the pen. We all know how Billy Wagner did today going for that 2 innings save.
#247 : I had the same thoughts exactly..
I think the only thing saving us from that fate is that they don’t want to overuse Mr White!
Quit complaining. George Sherrill is finally getting some mound time.
Here goes Mac burning through our pitchers again like it’s going out of style.
Only had the game on for the last few innings, but I gotta say so far I actually really enjoy the Cleveland broadcast.
What!? No Rick White yet to lock this game down?
Free Rick White!
George Sherrill: not enough mound time to keep sharp.
Anyone else’s MLBtv suddenly cutout?
Do you think looking at GS’s goatee makes white realize exactly how erroneous the DayGlo approach is?
That’s a good way to get your warmup pitches. Just hope Vidro is watching for all those “pickoff attempts”…
261- Yes
Yeah, mine went out, too.
I think Mac has (for friggin’ ONCE) handled the bullpen well today. He did some moves BEFORE disaster struck.
I like that for a change.
mlb.tv still has the audio at least
Yup, no .tv here.
MLB tv. . . sooooooooooooooooooooo not worth the money.
Perhaps Bavasi pulled the plug so Mac could get White up without the internets melting..
Morrow warming up.
come on georgie…
Even that “free MLB.tv” day (was it last Saturday or Sunday?) was a big bust, as far as I’m concerned. Slow, slow, slow, even at their highest 700K connection (and I have a 1.5Mb download speed with my DSL).
A groundout here would be nice.
but nooooooo
Way to screw us George.
And to think, I’ve advocated him facing more right handers this year.
Ichiro and Vidro doing nothing w/ RISP last inning, may come back to haunt us.
Sherril’s last pitch couldn’t be more down the middle. (according to GameDay)
*sigh* arsonists on parade..
I think Morrow will get it done. He’s like Green in that he seems to pitch much worse with HIS men on base, rather than coming in w/ someone else’s baserunners.
Leads are over-rated anyways.
yeah but according to gameday he was getting squeezed pretty bad on the others so it’s hard to say
Also according to GameDay, Sherrill’s 3rd ball call looks like it caught a LOT of the black at the bottom of the box.
Damnit, damnit, damnit.
Never mind…
game over
Outfield Defense is over-rated… not.
what happened to our top notch bullpen?
It’s interesting watching a collapsing team to discover the large variety of ways to lose games.
nuts..
Bleeding stopped.. a little late.
See, it’s a conspiracy! MLB and the sports networks and Fox all want the Yankees to get to the playoffs.
So the word is out, gentle and very subtle hints that the head-to-head games with the Red Sox, the Yanks should win. The M’s get squeezed in every game here on out until they’re out of it. Detroit may be out of it just on the basis of missing Sheffield.
(just kidding, sort of)
I still can’t get MLB.tv. Anyone else watching on a Mac? I’m getting “application not responding” from QuickTime.
291: great theory.. just not sure all of those involved are competent enough to pull it off.. other than that, I’m in..
(also sort of kidding)
Mac did another poor job of using his bullpen. Using Green his 2nd or 3rd best reliever for 2 outs in the 6th and 7th.
Wow, the M’s really don’t want to win another game this year, do they.
Anyone with .tv, was that Garko double catchable by a non-Raul/Manny left fielder?
Rick White woulda shut them down..
297: if by “them” you mean “the hearts and souls of Mariners fans everywhere,” then I’m with you..
The good news is that Joe Borowski is very “gettable.”
lol.
My heart and soul was shut down after our King got pounded yesterday, virtually ending any hopes of winning the division.
come on Beltre…
300: I agree. Major zombiefication in Mariner Nation this week..
Something is wrong with Gameday or the announcers. Every time they say ball/strike outsides Gameday shows it inside.
297 – Responding to yourself?
The sad part is that HoRam wasnt terrible, and we are still going to lose. ;o
Usually we score runs in his starts, but he lets up more. Today, it is the other way around.
Kind of ironic in a twisted way.
I wonder if Raul should’ve had that ball. The Tribe announcers said, “off the webbing of his glove”
Struck out the side..
Back, but ch.op.py.
Hate to join the bandwagon against the Mariners management but have you ever seen a team leading the WC this late get its lineup tinkered this much? Makes you think the FO and managers were sleepwalking through the first 5 months and not prepared for a pennant race at all.
3-4-5 hitters just struckout.
305- M’s announcers said that too
Geez… here is where Mac ends any hope of a comeback by bringing in White.
As was mentioned earlier, we’ve gone from finding innovative ways to win to finding innovative ways to lose. Progress (not)..
like how Niehaus calls Lofton the kid from Arizona St.
There was nothing wrong with bringing in Green in the 6th. The problem was that he took him out of there for no reason in the 7th.
Insurance run in waiting.. White time?
314- Agreed.
Morrow is not sharp tonight. Usually, he hits 98-99. His is in the mid 80’s tonight with a high of 91. Something is wrong.
And here comes Cabrera.. karmic retribution is at hand..
JJ PUTZ.. now!
320: He doesn’t seem to get into games in late August..
313 – That’s twice incorrect. Lofton went to Arizona, and he’s not quite a kid anymore.
JJ PUTZ.. now!
No way, he’s been totally overworked lately.
Any chance Broussard hits for Willie to lead off the inning?
323- Should with Borowski on the mound.
Yeah… with all the wins in the last 5 games, JJ has been overused.
Mac must REALLY hate Broussard
Borowski’s BAA is .297. He’s about the most hittable “closer” in baseball.
this just in: BB for WFB.. Johnny Mac purchases a clue..
Mac must REALLY hate Broussard…oh wait nevermind
Do you guys think Mac will pinch hit for Jones?
If he does, I will flip.
Lead-off walk. Nice.
330- Who would hit for him? Ben hit (walked) for Willie.
There’s really no one to pinch run, huh? Weak.
There goes Broussard clogging the bases with one of those silly walks.
It would be great if Kenji hits a home run here.
The only one left on the bench is Jose Lopez
28% of lead-off walks come around to score..
There’s really no one to pinch run, huh? Weak.
There’s not much space left on the roster after you fill it with 18-19 pitchers.
haha true ken. his era is 5.53. I don’t care whether it is a repeatable stat of not. 5.53=horrible
Two on, no outs. Do something guys.
Runner? Who?
Don’t swing at that Yuni.
That’ll work. (Even if the site doesn’t.)
ok, time for the Professional Hitter to come through.
This is reminding me of the 97 pen…
Great Job Mac! Make the hero of the game so far bunt with runners on 1st and 2nd…
Grrrrrrrrrrrr…
Great Job Mac! Make the hero of the game so far bunt with runners on 1st and 2nd…
Grrrrrrrrrrrr…
sigh. 30+ pitches thrown, a couple of baserunners on, and one whole run to come out of it.
At least we’re showing some heart tonight. Where was that against Anaheim??
Big E pitching.
Lets see how he does.
Looks like he’s chosen his spots well so far against Hafner.
[deleted, plagarism]
My thoughts exactly, john…
sigh. 30+ pitches thrown, a couple of baserunners on, and one whole run to come out of it.
That was certainly an important run, though.
if this goes to the 10th we’d better score, or else there’s a good chance of a Rick White sighting
Well, that wasn’t part of the plan.
Aaaaaaaand still! No JJ Putz.
Speaking of the 97 pen…
McLaren really doesn’t want to win this game, does he?
i swear to god, if white blows this game, he owes you guys a new server
*Puke*
McLaren does this AGAIN. I just can’t f**kin believe this.
I think it’s safe to say that USSMers have much bigger axes to grind then Jones’ playing time….
Rick White must be a war veteran cause I just got shell shock.
(rim shot)
ok. I checked in with my dad, and then came back to find that apparently not only did JJ not come in, but Richard F. White was back once more.
And walked in the winning run.
so, did JJ’s arm fall off, and they forgot to tell us?
I don’t remember which game it was but JJ must have missed at least three tags. That’s the only thing that could explain this.
Welp. That’s that.
according to Mac, White was the only available pitcher. Ryan R-S was held out to be the long man if they went to extra innings and they ‘had to have JJ available to wrap it up if they tok the lead’.
What. The. Fuck.
also according to Mac, Sexson has been been battling the hamstring for a while, but with the way it was hurt tonight, and with turf coming up, he thinks Richie will be sitting for a few days, even if ‘Richie is trying to be a warrior’– because you know, ‘it’s hurting his hitting a little bit’
Oy! For F#$%s Sake! White? Why? Do they hate us? Has McLaren decided to quit? Seriously, it took me about two seconds to think, “bottom of the ninth, on the road, tie ball game . . . maybe I should bring in my best reliever.” Then here comes Mr. White (who from now on will be known as Mr. Pink). Somebody tell me JJ is hurt. Somebody make sense of this apparent stupidity. Please? Somebody offer me a beer. Mmmm. Beer. Good night moon.
Vidro on second, White on the mound, Sexson on first….how bad can it get….the M’s are toast, and you can point the finger at McLaren. By the time the M’s return next month after this road trip they will be hopelessly out of the wild card race.
I am moving on to football. The baseball season is officially over for me thanks. Good luck to the Angels and Yankees in the playoffs.
Norm thinks Mac is using JJ the way he is because that was the way Lou kied to do it, and he’s been Lou’s bullpen & bench coach for so long … but he thinks JJ may need to get the rust off after sitting for a week
Unbefuckinglievable. Mac’s plan is apparently to have Gas Can White torch every game remaining this year.
Why would you let a reject from the Astros anywhere near an AL pennant race?
Un
Be
Fucking
Lievable.
The days just get darker. Any poster on this thread (except maybe me) could run the team better.
It entirely makes sense to play this game the way the Skipper did. I mean, close game, ninth inning, best thing to do is get someone who pitched so badly that the Astros let him go and put him in. Eh, so he walks in the winning run, big deal. We’ll get the run back in the 10th.
What? No 10th inning? When did they change *that* rule?
Very poor baseball move…by a manager who is looking very poor himself.
Bobby Ayala, that ridiculous platinum blond beard isn’t fooling anyone anymore.
Tonight was absolutely heartbreaking to watch on TV. This Mariner team is too good to have this happen again and again. HoRam put together a decent start and to lose this game this way is incomprehensible.
There’s no way that anyone can convince me that we don’t have a minor leaguer who’s a better pitcher right now for us out of the bullpen than Rick White. No way!
Toronto needs to be at least 2/3 and it would be great to sweep heading into a huge series next week.
This is our season right here, and if Mac continues to put us in positions to lose and if the bullpen doesn’t get things done, it’s going to be all for naught.
The callup we need from Tacoma is Daren Brown..
I just need to yell it from the rooftops: RICK MOTHERFUCKING WHITE!!!!!
Ah, much better. Someone else can do the same with McLaren.
Look at the bright side.. all the use White’s gotten lately, they’re likely to NOT use him tomorrow, as he needs to rest his veteran arm so he’s available in tight games for the future!
Is this “veteran arm in the bullpen” experiment going to end anytime soon? It’s a miserable failure, and watching all of these games get thrown away or put out of reach is seriously disgusting.
At this pace, JJ will be starting his trot out to the mound in 2008.
“according to Mac, White was the only available pitcher. Ryan R-S was held out to be the long man if they went to extra innings and they ‘had to have JJ available to wrap it up if they tok the lead’.”
He has a completely different definition of “only available pitcher than I do.
Friggin’ morons. At least it’s gotten so F’ing ridiculous that I’m laughing instead of crying.
I mean, could you have scripted a dumber ending to this game?
Maybe it’s time to start instigating conspiracy theories. Like, Steinbrenner paying off Bavasi & pals to make such dreadful decisions that the Yanks have an easy time capturing the wild card. Or, Mac being sick with mad cow disease.
I miss Maury Wills, Del Crandall, and Bill Plummer. Really.
Having taken a walk to cool off while the server was cooling off, I’m afraid I must still state the obvious: namely, if Mac has not yet been scheduled to an appointment at Western State Hospital for a complete psychiatric evaluation, then the FO must make it a priority.
Just arrived home to news of another loss. I haven’t read all the comments yet but…
Rick White proved himself unreliable again! Adam Jones went 2 for 3 with a homer! Richie Sexson strained his hamstring, possibly making himself unusable for at least a few games! Maybe these things will make for a change. Soon. Please.
370: I would pretty much agree — though I will wish good luck to whichever NL team plays the Yanks or Angies in the WS to beat the living crap out of EITHER of them!
386 – Well yeah, I wasn’t rooting for the Yankees to go anywhere in the playoffs, I never do. Just stating the obvious. The only way for things to get better is for things to get worse. And with the upcoming “nail in the coffin” series in New York and Detroit. Hopefully the positive thing that comes out this is a FO house cleaning. That is really where the problem lies. Poor management, poor player utilization. They continue to go with mediocre relievers in pressure situations (Reitsma, Parrish, now White). They continue to go with a guy batting .207 when they have a better solution collecting dust on the bench. I mean this is almost September, I really don’t think he is going to miraculously turn things around. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mariners say that Sexson has been playing thru his hamstring injury all season. Just to downplay his poor hitting.
We HAVE the players to win this. But how they’re used (or NOT used) is the complete cluster f*ck here. John McLaren has turned out to be a HORRIBLE manager. And the persistant insertion of crap ‘veteran’ arms into the bullpen has thrown that once-great group WAY out of whack. If the inept decision-making continues on this path, any glimmer of playoff hopes are gone.
And if they USE Ryan Rowland-Smith to get to extra innings, there’s no rule that he couldn’t CONTINUED to be used, hm? As a long man?