Game 8, Mariners at Rays
4:05 pm, Bedard vs Garza
First off, Happy Birthday Felix! The King turned 22 today. Twenty-Two. Most hall of fame pitchers are still hanging out on minor league buses at 22, and Felix is heading into his third full season and establishing himself as one of the game’s best pitchers. Enjoy the b-day and please never leave us.
In other news, the M’s really should win this one. Matt Garza has a good arm, but he hasn’t figured out what to do with it yet, and Bedard’s good enough to shut down the Rays bats. Tampa’s a legitimate opponent, but for the M’s to contend, these are the types of games they need to win most of the time.
Line-Up:
CF Ichiro
2B Lopez
3B Beltre
LF Ibanez
1B Sexson
RF Wilkerson
DH Vidro
C Johjima
SS Betancourt
I like Beltre hitting 3rd and Ibanez fourth, and I hope that move is permanent. Ideally, this would setup well if the M’s wanted to bring in a LH hitting left fielder (Kenny Lofton, still a free agent), move Ibanez to DH, and platoon Vidro/Sexson at first base, as Lofton’s bat would fit in well in the #2 hole ahead of Beltre.
Just a suggestion.
Comments
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Doesn’t having Kenny Lofton on the team mean a guaranteed trip to the post-season? It seems like I see him there year after year, always playing for someone new.
I like Beltre hitting 3rd, hope McLaren is learning instead of just changing things around for luck.
And good luck to Wilkerson, I want to like him. It is tough with his year so far though. His BABIP can’t be .091 all year long, here is to a break out day for Wilk!
The M’s have not done so well dealing with the pressure of being preseason favorites. How they respond to it this month will be key.
The more at bats to Beltre the happier I am.
Ah, Wilkerson and Richie back to back. There goes 2/3 of an inning.
Should be a good game. Bedard’s pitched pretty well against the Rays in the past.
happy birthday, big guy.
George Brett is well known for having coined the term “the Mendoza line” for great-fielding but light-hitting Mariners (and Pirates) shortshop Mario Mendoza. It’s .200. Wilkerson, however, is flirting with the Speizio line (about .059). I hope that doesn’t continue.
Kenny Lofton is an Experienced Veteran with Veteran Experienced-ness to go with his Experience. So he’s a perfect fit for the M’s.
(But oh noes! Would you have to get rid of Miguel Cairo?)
dealing with the pressure of being preseason favorites
Somehow I suspect that’s the least of their problems.
To add to what Jephdood said, Wilkerson, Sexson, Vidro, and Johjima back to back. There goes 1 and 1/3 of an inning. Tough to win when 4/9s of your lineup are easy outs.
Geez, msb, he just got slimmed down!
Paciorek claims it was Bochte…
Well, all of those except Sexson should bounce back to near their career numbers at some point. Please? (The only bounce Sexson seems headed for, on the other hand, is the kind done by expired felines)
I was hoping for Lofton before Wilkerson was even signed.
Ibanez to DH, Vidro bench, Wlad to RF
Put Lofton batting 9th right in front of Ichiro. Lofton gets on, steals a base, ichiro knocks him in. This is what I have envisioned for some time now. His defense would also be welcomed in LF.
I fear that Juan Pierre is more up their alley than Kenny Loften. I can see them bailing the Dodgers out of that contract much like they did for the Nats when they took on Vidro’s load.
FSN. Every Game. Unless you live in Boise where it’s “every game except for nights the Utah Jazz are on.” Thank you Larry Miller. Thanks a lot.
What are those horrendous noise makers in the crowd?
Rays’ fans?
17:
Fat people.
Oh, that’s not nice. I’d say old people. It is Florida. =)
Pitch was at eye level, bad Beltre…..That’s a Richie Sexson mistake.
That was a fat meatball over the plate, and we got two home runs out of it. (Yes, I’m talking about 17-19. What, there’s a game on?)
But Florida is part of the South, and that means fried food, and that means….
It seems like a mix of bells, whistles, drums, fake teeth, and fake hips.
Does Lofton give you enough more than Reed would to be worth the million(s) needed to sign him?
I’d guess the “horrendous noise makers” are actually Robert Szasz.
22:
………….fat people.
Does Lofton give you enough more than Reed would to be worth the million(s) needed to sign him?
Millions? The man is a free agent, and it is April.
d’oh.
Not a good start for Beltre so far, tough play.
So the Rays have their own Ichiro. And Lopez.
All things considered, I’d rather have Beltre not throw the ball than Sexson miss it.
Looked like Yuni and Lopez both went to the bag.
Hmm, Fangraphs doesn’t have the M’s-Rays game yet, and it is the bottom of the first.
Not looking good so far…
Do the Rays know how much we gave up for Bedard? They should show some respect by striking out more.
Crawford can fly…
In fun news, Guillen with a nice catch in the 9th to help the Royals beat the Yanks.
That was a mean pitch.
Joses range is SUSPECT
very nice.
That’s better…
So Harden was scratched but will pitch a couple of days later? Hmm, that sounds familiar. So: who will have more IP this season, Harden or Bedard?
Nice inning eh? Hoser!
What other team has 1B, RF and DH hitting 5,6 and 7…and they’re still probably too high in the order? That should tell you all you need to know about our offense.
Richie’s OPS was over 850 coming into this game.
Nice at bat for Richie.
Infield single for Sexson? The sky is falling!
Infield single on a comebacker to the mound for Richie!
RICHIE!!!!!
Wiki = HR…calling it.
wait…what? How does Big Sexy get an infield single?
shazbot.
Oh, Bradley. That’s gonna happen a lot with those guys in order.
Wilk GIDP, the sky went back into place.
does Richie have the green light?
Time for Mr. Wilkerson to ride the bench a few games and get his head straight.
If he wasn’t such a head case, I’d love to add Bonds to this lineup at DH and platoon Sexson and Vidro at first. Adding Bonds would at least add some offense to take away the impact of having Raul out there in left every day.
Time for Kenji to start heating up
Boy do I sure love it when Johjima is up.
I just saw the Geico Caveman dancing…
My eyes! My eyes!
I’m digging the team drawing more walks. That’s got to be some kind of good sign if they can keep it up.
Adding Bonds would at least make this team interesting to watch.
Which is not to say that watching Wilkerson ground into a double play isn’t interesting in a fashion. For example, you just can’t predict if he is going to ground to 2nd or to SS.
Anyone watching this on gameday? I was wondering what Bedard’s velocity is like. On FSN it’s anywhere from 87-90, but it looks like it has quite a bit more zip. What’s it on gameday?
A veritable Michael Jordan moment out for Ibanez there in left field.
Gad. “moment for Ibanez out there in left”.
Raul’s leap against the wall was sort of a non-event. His glove never really gained any elevation throughout the leap.
I’m only listening to the radio. Was the homerun close enough for a normal LFer to grab if they timed the jump?
I actually dont like Bedards body language at all and his velocity seems to be a few mph down (isnt he usually 91-92?) Id be shocked if he doesnt end up on the DL in the near future
60 –
Gameday: Fastball 90-93, Curve 75-78, Change 80.
64:
No, the wall is pretty high.
Garza’s velocity is down, too, so my guess would be that it’s the radar gun. But I’m mixing in a bit of hope in with that prediction as well.
Excellent.
Think Mac tells Lopez to bunt?
I was talking about the FSN velo, not the GameDay.
We sure are hitting Garza around a bit. Only a matter of time before we take the lead, jinxes aside.
No no no no no no!
Don’t bunt in the 1st! Ack!
I meant in the 3rd…sorry.
Also according to Gameday, Garza appears to get good movement on his 4-seamer (clocked 90-96). What are you guys seeing from him on TV?
74 –
High 80’s…hitting 90 every once in a while. I saw some 92’s earlier in the game, though.
lol bat control
Geeez, Beltre has really regressed this game.
Bad-eye Beltre at the plate today, apparently.
Who is this new poster coming in and stealing my name? This is BS. This blog is only big enough for one Spike.
C’mon Beltre…
what was that swing!
Ah, ‘down and away’…the bane of Beltre’s existence.
Go Sexson!!! Yeah!!
Dude, Richie better be frigging pissed.
I’m thinking we need a post from DMZ analyzing Beltre’s at bats using GameDay.
75 –
Weird. I don’t know whether to think the Gameday guns are hot or the FSN guns are cold. I noticed a few of the Padres pitchers (most notably Peavy & Bell) have been clocked slower than usual on FSN as well, but Gameday has them +3 or so.
Salami or K, that’s the Richie Sexson way.
KNOCK A DINGER BIG SEXY COME ON!!!
Sorry man, believe it or not I didnt realize there was another Spike until after I had registered. I tried to change my username to Greg Briley but it already had my email registered and wouldnt let me. I apologize for any inconvenience.
I remember being at a game when they walked Raul to get to Richie and he hit a grand slam. That was a couple of years ago, though.
Get mad Big Sexy!!! Guess correctly and swing as hard as your tall lanky heart can!
Richie is a .185 hitter against Garza
IBB to Richie is a good idea.
Now that is respect.
I’d want to pitch to sexson too.
A minor league ‘roids suspension that WASN’T in the Mariners organization:
Jordan Schafer, OF, Atlanta Braves Tuesday 4/8, 6:39 PM CT
Jordan Schafer was suspended for 50 games Thursday by the baseball commissioner’s office for using HGH, according to the AP. The outfielder is the team’s top prospect, so this is no doubt a big blow. He was expected to compete for the everyday job in center next year, but those plans could be changed with this news.
WTF is with *this* strategy? It can’t possibly work!
86. That was 91.
89 – No probs man. Just pulling your chain. I have a pretty light footprint around here anyway, and we can always use more Spike love.
Last year, Richie would have swung at that.
Riggins (TB catcher) is earning his keep!
Is very nice…
The new Richie, patient at the plate.
Of all the things you can call Bonds — at least if you subscribe to the media version — I don’t see how you can call him a head case. He’s one of the most disciplined players to ever play the game.
Ok, nice AB by the big guy. I admit I didn’t realize his OPS had topped .800.
YEAH!
Richie’s dangerous when he doesn’t swing…
Thats right Garza show the Big Fork some Respect!
Will Garza survive Sexson/Wilkerson/Vidro/Johjima AKA The Gauntlet?
Wow, did we all crash the site with comments after that walk? I got locked out for a sec.
Let’s go Wilky Wilky Wilkerson!
GOGOGOGO!!!!!
Way to go Rich. He’s been walking like crazy. I’m glad he’s finding some way to contribute. Honestly, nothing would make me happier than seeing this guy succeed in 08.
BRAD!!! THERE YOU GO!!!
Wilkerson did something!!!!!
Well, it wasn’t exactly Torii Hunter-esque…but welcome to the M’s, Mr. Wilkerson.
110 –
Same here. I said something unbelievably clever, too. Gone forever . . .
Oh my God.
The Devil just felt a chill.
Mr. Professional would like a base hit too please.
Don’t no one swing at nothin’.
TWO OUTS SO WHAT GET EM TURBO
Vidro is like the Rod Carew of this little clustermuck of hitters. Best you just walk him.
o yay itz kenjee
The Royal Brougham Bombers?
This blog needs a Greg Briley.
Well it turns out that the solution to all of our problems is to bat against injured pitchers!
He’s pulling himself out because he sucks.
OK, after Garza was going to leave the game, but was still standing on the mound, Garza was holding his glove over his mouth while talking to the trainer.
Gosh, don’t want the M’s to be able to lip read what it is that hurts?
Garza couldnt retire the Big Fork or Wilkerson….OK he must be hurt
hmmm…didn’t someone say Garza’s velocity was down and it might be the guns….maybe not, eh?
Garza looked gimpy after diving for that Lopez swinging bunt, and he’s barely been able to find the strike zone since. I bet he pulled something.
Does he need to cover his mouth to tell the trainer he is hurt? Are the M’s going to steal all the back supports from the Tampa locker room?
Garza did not survive The Gauntlet.
Yea, pitching change. The bullpen is the Rays’ soft underbelly.
Thankfully Vidro is too much of a pro to be affected by this delay
Nice momentum killer there.
Wilkerson raised his average to .105 with that hit
Like a good timeout in college basketball.
Now over the Wilkerson Line, Wilkerson squares his sights on the Mendoza Line.
How could speedro get thrown out at second there?
140:
He’s a professional hitter, not runner.
Bah. The game still isn’t on fangraphs.
Wow
Now Johjima is toying with the Spezio line.
whats the o/u on the inning that the trainer comes out to the mound?
Lets play everyones favorite game,
Which reliever will blow a late lead today?
Isn’t that .050?
I’ll take RRS in the 8th.
LOL nothing beats being an M’s fan
148- That would require McLaren to know there is a RRS on the team.
btw I have EOF in the 8th
Monster shot.
Well at least nobody is on base for these things. That was a freaking juice rocket.
133 – Laughing VERY hard.
I thought Bedard’s fast ball was supposed to be in the 90’s. That home run was 87.
The game wasn’t on the scoreboard page of fangraphs, but I found it anyway
http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?gameid=280408130
Bedard is hard to hit, but if you make contact the ball sure seems to go a mile or six.
Dave is awesome. He and Blowers are just talking about homers, Pena crushes it, and he just goes silent.
“Well, there’s one.”
I’m still laughing.
Crushed it. That was a hell of a home run.
EOF on his 39th pitch.
The speed wasn’t the problem with the Pena HR pitch. The problem was location and Pena being a beast.
Between comment #133 and #139, I’m laughing too much to pay attention to the game
how long did Bedard sit through that last half-inning?
They pitched out and Upton still made it?!?
The ball hitting the elbow sounded like someone opened up a can of snapple
unreal… what’s happening?! First a homer. Then we pick him off but we don’t. Then we hit a guy.
Urgh… I want a game I can enjoy without the tummy aches!
164- They threw to first and Upton went off first move. Upton is no Vidro.
argh. I hate how batters can just wear body armor and lean into inside pitches. Gomes didn’t even think about getting out of the way of that one.
That was just Richie being Richie
164, I thought it was a pickoff, not a pitchout.
Now there was a ball that a good left fielder would have caught.
well, that wasn’t worth actually seeing, rather than hearing.
4:00 baseball on the radio … yay! a baseball game on the walk home!
not-so-yay! Rizzs & Sims extolling veteranocity. Rizzs filling air with Historical Hi-Lites of the Tampa franchise out of the media guide, followed by Rizzs’ patented-to-jinx pronouncements (Richie has hit X grand slams … Bedard owns the Rays etc etc etc )
What’s worse:
a) Raul diving for that ball and missing it (leading to at least one more run if not an inside the park home run)?
or
b) Raul (as he actually did) realizing that he’s nowhere near quick enough to actually get to a fly ball that is neither down the line nor over his head and allowing the ball to drop in front of him–and yet, there be no talk of how he might not be the guy we can accept in the field?
I yearn for the days with Winn in left.
We are lucky to have a veteran like Ibanez.
can anyone confirm? A.J.W.H.C.T?
Well, no talk within the Front Office anyway…
171- I think Manny gets to that one… off the bat I thought there was no way Ral doesn’t get to it.
Yunizzle!
Sometimes saying AJ would’ve got that isn’t enough. I would’ve got that.
yeah, send the stinky Sonics to the other channel!
176 – It would have been close, but yes, I do think he would ahve caught it.
Ichiro shoulda slapped his glove, A-rod style.
so, does Lopez have to bunt here, too?
For anyone watching the game on Mosaic I would suggest throwing the Cin@Mil on one of the little screens. Johnny Cueto is fun to watch pitch, just struck out the side.
Nahhhhh. He’d never have done that.
Ichiro is a real Yankee.
Sweet, I’m starting to like Lopez in the two spot.
Adrian “tap dancing” Beltre.
Upton woulda had that.
70 MPH curve.
Wilkerson having a nice lil game so far.
Vidro’s eyebrows are weird.
wow. insanely good catch.
The Rays “We can catch the ball”. Interesting slogan, I wonder if any other teams will adopt this mantra.
193- Not the M’s, sadly they went for the “Fight osteoporosis team”
Jose’s or Pepe’s?
We need a drag name for Jose, because those eyebrows spend some quality time in a dress and heels during the off-season.
The Border Patrol ad behind home plate is freaking me out a little.
194. How about “We can still play”
198- How about “Some of us are still ok team”
To those who use MLB.tv — are you generally using the ‘premium’ streams or the standard 400k streams? I’m trying to figure out whether the 800k/1.2m is worth it.
196:
Mrs. Professional Hitter?
thinking about it, one could go with Adrian “Bojangles” Beltre– he does rather have that toe tap, ball of the foot style when dancing that Bill Robinson used ….
196: Switch hitter?
Given that the gauntlet only comprises 4 players, how about “We’re not half bad.”
what is Bedard’s pitch count at this point?
They are really making Bedard work.
That was the 76th pitch
so are those balls really much outside? Sims is ramblng on about Upton and not actually telling us anything about what is happening in the game.
I use the 400k and it works OK, sometimes if I switch between games it freezes. Im interested to know if the 800 is an upgrade as well
Niehaus just reported Bedard’s fastball at 89 mph.
Obv just setting up the Gomes GIDP
What’s happened to Bedard’s control?
Beltre is having a terrible game today, geez.
Unbelievable.
well it was a good idea in theory
Beltre has pretty much sucked this game.
Errors are fun. Like the kind of fun you have to go see a doctor about two weeks after climbing your way down the bar skank ladder after a long night.
210. His fastball has been 87-91 all game.
God that was stupid KENJI!!
This is like watching a little league game.
Was someone saying something about defense earlier?
The M’s look dispondent. I don’t see any fire from anyone.
Sims: He throws some gas to get rid of Riggins.
The FSN gun showed 87.
The M’s look dispondent. I don’t see any fire from anyone.
220- I agree. Did they forget that Carl fastest guy in AL Crawford was on 3rd? Simple shit here.
I like reading the comments here and then following the game on GameCast. It’s like expecting failure before it happens.
Double steal of home plate with two outs AND a botched pickoff in one game? Nice.
Do you guys ever wonder if maybe Bedard is just another case of the Ms paying for a career year? Maybe last year was the fluke and he’s really just the pretty good pitcher he was every year before last year?
Well, not absolutely everything went wrong in that inning. Ichiro isn’t limping or bleeding, for example.
225:
BJ Upton was on 3rd.
229- My bad. Premise still stands, Upton has sick wheels.
Nice hit and run. LOPEZ!
BJ Upton: Saw him in the minors once upon a time. He was awesome.
Wish we had him playing LF.
As much as Jose sucks defensively he is becoming a pretty effective 2 hitter
you forgot to read the send button.
Oh man, Lopez made a great play again.
Jose’s not bad defensively. In fact, I thought we’d determined that he was slightly above average.
Yea, Jose is good defensively — save for the occasional mental boner.
Here comes Richie Sexson lunch special. Would you like Salami or K?
What does it say about what other teams think of Sexson when they keep walking Ibanez intentionally at every opportunity?
awful strike 2 call
The come-back player of the year strikes again!
2-for-3, a walk and 3 RBI? Awesometastic.
Richie!! I can’t help but be proud. It’s like field day in elementary school, everyone gets a ribbon.
239…it means that they’d rather have their right-handed pitcher facing a righty with a force at every base than facing a lefty with no force in effect.
SEXTON 4 PREZ!!!1!!1! NOT A SUXTOR!
Let’s not go too far, pyg.
Is anyone warming up in the M’s pen?
SSS stat of the day:
Sexson, .269/.424/.500
Bedard’s chew wad is so big it looks like he’s pitching with a mouth guard in.
This is a fun game to watch. Bedard obviously not sharp, but battling. Both teams scrapping for runs. A steal of home. Pretty cool.
And Wilkerson/Sexson with 5 RBIs…
Ohhhh Kenji, Kenji, Kenji.
I am rooting for the Rays. Deep down I will always be a Mariners fan but after trading Adam Jones I am going to take pleasure in rooting against the Mariners this year. I am not a bandwagoner either. I still have a Mariners raincoat that I got as a kid at a game with the trident on it.
It’s not a chew wad….it’s his retainer.
253- If your not a Mariners fan why are you on this site?
I wish I could punch the next person to spell Sexson with a T.
253:
I’m sure there is a Rays blog you can check out. In other words, you’re not welcome here.
253:
I’m sure there is a Rays blog you can check out. In other words, you’re not welcome here.
So…RRS is dead?
256:
I usually spell sexson with a K. Sometimes 2 or 3, depends on who’s pitching.
Hell yes he’s welcome here.
253- I am a die hard M’s fan. I didn’t care if the M’s won this game, but now I do. FUCK THE RAYS! Go M’s!!!
Upton lost his shoe. Bad call by the 3rd base ump. I LIKE IT!
Wow, Upton’s lips are the easiest to read I have ever seen. Must of had speech or singing classes as a kid.
Wow one shoe and he still goes for 3
No doubt about it!
Yeah, uh, USSM isn’t so much about mindless fandom of the sort that demands fans of other teams to go away. Plus, unknown comic, haven’t you been posting here for years?
So who pitches the 8th?
The Unknown Comic has been here longer years. I don’t think he is going to get kicked out unless he pulls a Corco.
Err what the heck was I trying to say? He’s been here many years, not “longer” years…whatever that means.
267:
I get your point. I think the poster in question is just a little sour over the Adam Jones thing still so I’ll give him that. This isn’t my place to say who can be here and who can’t.
Ohhh Steve T, YOU’RE fnarf! I guess you really do post here as well as on the Slog.
(but you don’t say nearly as much here.)
He’s not welcome here? Wow. I didn’t realize this was a paid site with an application prcess. I thought it was about conversation. So, in other words, unless the opinons match yours, screw ‘em.
These fans are going to boo themselves to sleep tonight
Jose Lopez – strike 1 (bunted foul)
Please don’t tell me he is sacrificing.
Unknown Comic, My only problem is it doesn’t make sense. A fan by definition is, An ardent devotee; an enthusiast. I don’t think you can be devoted and root against the team your a fan of after a player gets traded.
I don’t think you should go away by any means. Just don’t think what you said makes any sense, but to each his own.
I like the fact that we are the only MLB team where the heart of our order is 9-1-2…
Me, I don’t think people should use “your” when they mean “you’re,” but people seem to do it anyway. Hrmph.
Yes, I am Fnarf. What’s there to say about this team? I just watch the pretty pictures. Throw the ball, catch the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball. Or not, as the case may be.
Me, I don’t think people should point out Raul hustles all the time when it clearly doesn’t matter because he is so damn slow.
DaveN’s eyes must really be going. He says RRS is getting up to throw in the bullpen, but we know that can’t be true.
I think that the problem with rooting against a team you are a fan of is that it is an inherently unsatisfactory state of affairs: No matter what happens, you’re not quite pleased.
He’s been found!
I don’t mean to alarm anyone, but I believe RRS pitching in a major league game means that there will soon be swarms of locusts and failing crops.
No one but Dave and Derek has the right to say who is welcome here, outside of violations of basic moderation policies.
I am a Mariners fan all my life, but I’m not ashamed to say that management has for several years tested my loyalty, and I don’t blame anyone who angrily takes their loyalty elsewhere but still feels compelled to follow the Mariners.
Is it really hard to understand that?
283 I’m not worried, I have insurance.
Ahhhhhh, yes… The magic that is Rowland-Sm.
Hey! Who was THAT guy? Who put HIM in the game?–Johnny Mac.
284- It is not hard to understand that. It is hard to understand why Unknown Comic wants the Mariners to do poorly if he is a fan. I don’t really care, just confused by the logic behind the decision. As I said, to each his own.
RRS in the 9th? Works for me.
Great. Now we get to watch a gimpy Sexson for the next 6 freakin’ months.
I think I’ll turn off the game so I don’t have to watch Lowe give up the lead :\
Richie Sexson with a groin pull? (His own.)
Won’t matter because Richie will grind it out, because he’s a gritty veteran and he knows that a Richie at less than 100% is…still getting paid.
hey! he can’t get any slower!
You know Pena is going to crush one.
287- He can’t pitch in the 9th; he is only mentally prepared to pitch in the 8th. You can’t put a guy out there unless he is prepared for his new role.
The rec-spex are sweet. give RRS the closer spot on the intimidating look alone.
Is that Clark Kent on the mound?
I am hoping RRS gets though this clean and McLaren notices that he can pitch. Play himself into the role if you will.
RRS!
He’s $@#@&#!@ prepared NOW.
That was Putz-like.
Wha-?
The M’s won?
great win. great job by 2RS. game ball to richie sexson.
Dave was right. It was hard to get back on the bandwagon with a gimpy ankle, but I think I’ve done it.
Nice win for the M’s. Season high 6 runs scored! Cheers to Richie and Wilk for their timely hits.
Hey, Angie Mentink isn’t pregnant!
(Well, not showing, anyway…)
And Ryan Rowland Smith’s ERA is down to… 9!!
aaaaaand, in fact, he was. Washburn came up during the post-game interview and asked what the heck it was (he thought maybe it was a retainer)