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Game 16, Mariners at Oakland
Felix! Against Blanton, who is not Felix. Heh heh heh. Supposed 7:05 start time.
No lineups up yet that I’ve found, so I’m going ahead with my
I know generally speaking my view of the AL West (and Dave’s, which is different but substantially similar) isn’t at all widely held, but the season series against the A’s is almost certainly going to be as important as their success against the Angels. It’s going to be much harder to win a division title if they drop games to either of those two.
So win. Having Felix start is a good way to begin.
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Huzzah! Go M’s! Happy Felix Day, everyone! Let the non-substantive commenting begin!
Seattle AB R H RBI BB SO LOB AVG
Suzuki, CF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .286
Lopez, 2B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .315
Ibanez, LF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
Beltre, 3B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .291
Vidro, DH 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .204
Sexson, 1B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .216
Wilkerson, RF 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .152
Johjima, C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .220
Betancourt, SS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .294
Motion for all spontaneous future Felix poetry slams to be suspended until further notice.
I like our power-house 5-6-7 line up! P-O-W-E-R! POWER!
one of these plays for the M’s, one for the A’s.
Suzuki, .286
Suzuki, .347
you would expect the top to be Kurt and the bottom to be Ichiro… but not tonight. And yes, to use a USSM cliche… small sample size.
Suzuki, Ichiro: .286
Suzuki, Kurt: .347
But I have a poem!
Kurt Suzuki is one hell of a player. Granted he’s only the second-best Japanese catcher on the field…
Ok, it’s more like doggerel.
Go Felix!
Wow…Ichiro is not (statistically) the best batting Suzuki in the AL West???
He’ll climb out of it soon enough. Ichiro had “bad” (near .300) Aprils in 06 and 07.
With Balentien, Reed and Jimerson in the minors, who is our backup center fielder? Or will Ichiro just play 162 games?
Ok, I stuck it in the Felix Day thread.
Interesting factoid: the player with the most PAs against Blanton: Ichiro, with 42. (Makes sense — consistent lead-off guy for a team in the same division). Ichiro’s line: .359 / .405 / .436
I think I see why Blanton doesn’t like him. (Vlad, by contrast: .226 / .314 / .387 in 35 PAs)
Other M’s with notable lines against Mr Stay-Puft:
Lopez: .320 / .320 / .440 in (26PA)
Betancourt: .348 /.375 / .609 (!) (24PA)
Johjima: .318 / .318 / .500 (22PA)
Sexson, Beltre… well, let’s just say it could be another 8-9-1-2 “heart” of the order night.
who is our backup center fielder?
The igniter, of course.
Ick. CB Bucknor. Remember when he smirked at Lou back in like 2000/20001 while Lou was contesting a call, and it made Lou lose it?
I believe that was the big base tossing, hat kicking episode. Oh, wait..
Small ball wins again! John McLaren is smiling somewhere!
I like this start.
forget batting averages… current score:
ichiro: 1
kurt: 0
Professional hit.
Happy times. Don’t recall us knocking Blanton around like this before!
Well we won this game already. Go Felix!
yes, 3-0!
Okay, this is scaring me. Way too much run support for Felix.
No homers to lousy offense.. no homers to lousy offense..
Wilkerson looks funny when he runs.
Nice patient at-bat by Ritchie there, but I’ll excuse it since we already got 3 runs
KC is up on the halos in the 1st too. 4 hits already off weaver.
good start. (I know, it’s early!)
DP!
we needed that after what sounded like 2 bloop singles?
25:
You are correct sir.
And KC scores again! Excellent.
Ugh, I think it might be Bloomquist.
With the Mariner bench, it’s actually a good thing that McLaren doesn’t use his bench players.
Ugh, I think it might be Bloomquist.
That’s “Princess Willie” to you.
This is true, at least until June.
This is pretty fun getting the Oakland broadcast…they’re absolutely in awe of Ichiro.
K
ok, that looked more like the Blanton we usually see.
I think Kurt thinks of himself as the best Hawaiian catcher on the field.
“Looks like a change-up Dave.” “Yahmffauhhnng.” aka “stfu Blow.”
Felix with this off-speed stuff is awesome. 2K!
KK
Very nice pitch to fool the batter
Felix better be alright
how much did felix get a hand on that ball??
Maybe everyone already knows this but the AP is reporting Bedard will only miss one start. Let’s hope the one on the 24th is the first of many good ones in a row.
WTF Felix…your throwing hand is…precious.
It hit the bottom side of his palm.
3K!!!!
Commenting on the schedule this year, I agree it seems even more strange than usual.
What’s with KC playing 2 games in Seattle, and then Seattle plays 7 in KC?
Another strange thing was the Mariner’s making their only trip into Baltimore at the beginning of April. They got lucky (even if they did get swept) in that there were no rainouts. Or snow outs, a la Cleveland 2007.
Looked like more wrist to me then hand or fingers.
The good Beltre showed up tonight!
beauty!
rbi 2b, move to 3rd adrian!!
Beltre looked a little ginger there coming into third.
Very unprofessional.
oooh hi jamie
jaymee sorry
Sweet, 3-nil KC Nice hit by Beltre.
Blowers just guessed on the trivia question, wondering if the Cubs were one of the original American League clubs.
I’m really glad they picked up Wilkerson. Such a great addition to this baseball team.
was that a suicide attempt?
KC 3
LAA 0
Brad “roll over to second” Wilkerson
Adrian Beltre does not respect your line drives!!!
6 pitch innings are nice
Lucky breaks on those line drives. There is some bloop double karma coming our way.
I was wondering why I heard commercials soo soon. I was in the bathroom helping my kid out and turned around and the inning was over. Nice
I’m not gonna ask.
I guess I should have added, she’s four. Sorry for the visual.
58:
Good.
15 runs for the Yanks. Yikes
Good lord, it takes us 4-5 games to score 15 runs.
62 - We’ve scored 15 runs in the last 12 innings.
Or the last 13 innings.
That’s right, I already forgot about yesterday’s outburst of power.
Yup, outburst of power right to the OF’s gloves. But hey, it scores runs.
Hey Felix,
Stop diving for everything. You’re going to hurt yourself for no reason.
Signed,
Mariners Fans
Why does Felix insist on trying to play 2B defense? He’s going to hurt himself doing that one day…
#4 - now’s your chance! 5-6-7 are due up next.
Heh. Go Felix tells Felix to stop.
That’s Our Raul!
Ok so this team can’t be seriously concerned about winning if they let an already slow Ibanez play the field with a hurt knee
KKKK
I noticed the NYY pitcher Bruny got a save tonight in 15-9 win, is this because he went more than one inning. It seems strange. Nice inning by Felix
It looked like Raul stubbed his toe on the wall.
A relief pitcher that pitches the last 3 innings will get a save, regardless of the score.
Raul out for 3 weeks with broken toe hahha!
73 from mlb.com
Saves:
Rule 10.20 in the Official Rule Book states:
Credit a pitcher with a save when he meets all three of the following conditions:
(1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his club; and
(2) He is not the winning pitcher; and
(3) He qualifies under one of the following conditions:
- (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; or
- (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, or at bat, or on deck (that is, the potential tying run is either already on base or is one of the first two batsmen he faces; or
- (c) He pitches effectively for at least three innings. No more than one save may be credited in each game.
Thanks 75
73 - the short answer is that he came into the game in a save situation and finished. any runs the Yankees scored after his entrance were irrelevant to his ability to earn a save.
I mean, that was for 79.
I thought it looked like he hit his knee but it could have been his toe. I’d be a lot less worried about the toe as it would certainly cause those grimaces but would be less likely to be serious for a long time.
If you’re going to boo M’s players, which I refuse to do, please boo Brad “Black Hole” Wilkerson. He’s the official “rally killer.”
Reply to names or use quotes, the numbers change when posts from the moderation queue come through.
Snowman- Is one hit a rally now?
It is time for the M’s to go into patient mode and get some walks and get the pitch count up.
We’re out of practice this early in the season Mike. As soon as I reread the last few that fact suddenly came back to me. But yes that is a much better idea.
KKKKK.
GREAT PITCH
NAAASTY. Love it.
this is a thing of beauty
This is, I feel comfortable in saying, the Felix we all were hoping for tonight.
drat, angels get two back. 3-2 KC
Felix looks pumped tonight. CG in the forecast?
Has anyone noticed the junk on Blanton’s hands? His hat has a big black spot on it where he keeps adjusting it. Did he just forget to wash up or…?
who’da guessed blanton’s first K comes in the 6th, and it’s Ichiro! caught looking?
99-
I did.
98: Has he been hanging with the Gambler?
I would say just a spot… All my hats got them from adjusting frequently.
Nice 9 iron by Raul.
HamNasty:
Obviously not, but would you disagree that he’s a black hole?
I am really enjoying watching the Raul Ibanez show … boy is this guy fun to watch get better.
It’s almost like he’s the second coming of Edgar … or a poor man’s Edgar …
They both have great swings and suck in the field … put Raul at DH?
Ewok - I was noticing that too. It does look like pretty normal dirt on his hat in my opinion so I don’t want to accuse him of anything. But at the least he’s definitely a dirty handed boy tonight and in this day it makes you wonder at the least.
HamNasty: Do you work in a coal mine? Because I am always adjusting my hats and I never get spots like that on them.
Hey, does anybody besides me think it was stupid to steal Betancourt on the 3-1 pitch to Ichiro? Can’t remember the inning.
I thought I read somewhere that he didn’t want to DH. He does have a sweet swing.
Raul Ibanez 2008 Gold Glove!
Oh, look, Raul held someone to a single.
ok, Rizzs’s laugh bugs me. (radio)
KKKKKK
Snowman- I agree he is rough to watch right now. It was partially a question on what constitutes a rally. Is there a certain definition for that?
Killer_Ewok18- No, my hats are just grittier then yours I guess. They are about 6-7 years old now though.
I see crap on the underside of pitcher’s hat bills all the time. I wouldn’t think anything of it.
Nice handshake, Felix. Adrian has your back tonight.
Beautiful play Adrian.
Boy - King Felix is really coming on this year … It is really fun to watch good starting pitching.
It’s painful to know how close we are to a great, consistent team. If Bedard gets healthy it’s going to be tough to beat Felix and EB.
Very exciting.
Move Raul to DH, Ichiro back to RF, trade for Junior (get him back into center field, yes I want Junior #24).
Get JJ back … Morrow is on the way back.
We have a Defense.
Too bad the glaring holes are in the bullpen, offense, and manager lol
But boy Felix gives me hope
So I know there has been some talk lately about how some of the comments, especially the game thread comments, aren’t particularly substantive. But you know what, I can’t think of anywhere else to better express thoughts like this: BELTRE ROCKS!!!!
Infield single for the Professional Hitter and World Class Track Star
HamNasty:
I’ll admit it; that situation was not a rally. However, a .139 hitter has certainly killed his share of rallies throughout the season.
Our 5-7 hitters aren’t doing so hot. Imagine if we replace two of them with Clement and Wlad.
Speaking of Turbo…way to leg it out.
TURBO!
The Vidro infield hit parade starts again.
I can’t stop thinking about Felix, Bedard, Silva … such a great foundation. Can’t we get another guy to step up?
JSpektor - You can’t be serious. We have 2/3rds of a defense, and really that depends on the pitcher, might only be 5/9 if they don’t field the position well. And can you please give me one reason why any manager in their right mind would play Jr in CF if his options are Ichiro covers more ground than greyhound Suzuki or Ken missed 2 full seasons worth of games due to knee/leg injuries Griffey
I could hit better than Bwilkerson
Cairo to first. Defensive replacement, or Richie is hurt?
cairo is in? did richie get a phone call?
I should add I would be stoked to see Griffey brought on to play RF, Raul to DH and Wlad in LF if that were somehow plausible. But my god that would be giving away runs if you had both Ichiro and Ken in the OF and you put Ken in CF and Ichi in RF.
Raul looks like he’s running in motor oil.
How many times will Raul have to dive to stop a bloop from getting past him?
When will Mac wise up and realize Ibaniez is the ideal DH now?
Can we go a day without somebody talking about acquiring Ken Griffey or Barry Bonds?
Spokane -
You might be right, I may be a little too optimistic - but this is the most potential we have had for a while. Granted, I was kidding about Junior coming back to Seattle but if he comes and you would feel better with him at DH - I’m down.
But honestly, if Sexson could come up clutch (which I dont think will happen) it would make a huge difference. We need a power hitting go to guy on Offense.
As to our defense - you may be right on the 2/3 thing.
My mlb TV has been super choppy tonight so I ask you guys if felix has been as good as he sounds or are the A’s just sounding very replacement level? hard to tell with these A’s announcers
and 118, non substantive comments appear to be cool so long as you are part of the club.
HUGE double play.
Sean Green warming up again? When’s the last time he didn’t pitch?
Also, if Ibanez isn’t in left, this inning is over.
Wrap your mind around this one, King Felix with BOTH a Cy Young AND a Gold Glove. Holy cow that guy can field his position!
132 -
We already are amongst the worst in OF defense. I would imagine that it would be a little worse if Griffey took over RF. It would be horrendous if Griffey took over CF.
JSpektor, well my apologies for taking you too seriously. And Mr. Eggas I do agree that it comes up a little often, but overzealous NW love for Griffey aside, I do believe we would be a better team today if Griffey were manning either the RF or DH spot in place of our current starters. Not that I think we should give up talent to aquire him at this point, but just in a vacuum I believe we would be.
BOOYA
I love intense third out strike out Felix.
Now for the not so fun part of Felix Day, the closing part.
I love this kid. He’s 22 but the boy is all grown’s up.
What’s Felix’s pitch count? Anybody know?
so who’s gonna get the save? someone said Green is warming up? would it be lowe?
Who pitches the 9th?
sportsline says he’s at 108 pitches.
enough for Mclaren to pull him.
143 - His pitch count is about 105. I didn’t get the final number before Gamecast took it off.
It will be Lowe.
No CG’s for Felix. Jon Mclaren hates your fantasy team.
Morrow’s available right? I think McLaren thinks he needs to get pitchers in the first game they get called up after.
Hey I know, we should throw Soriano or Sherrill, those guys are awesome late in the game!
For those without TV, Felix was put his hat and glove back in. He’s going for the CG!
What happened to Lopez taking the first pitch?
This is why we need Putz. Instead of the game being over, we’re stuck worrying about whether we’ll hang on or not.
Never been happier to be wrong
apunetid- The whole team decided to stop taking pitches tonight.
Or throwing too many pitches
What a nasty curve!
Go, Felix, go!!
Dusty Baker? Is that you?
So one of two things happened.
1) Felix asked to be put back in b/c of the backlash last time he was taken out with a similar pitch count
2) McLaren is somehow going back on his early season example and sending him back out so he doesnt look like a moron again.
KING FELIX
Felix wasn’t having another Baltimore. I was surprised to hear he wanted out of that game.
CG!
115 pitches
This was much better than watching the debate!
happy Felix day, indeed.
good day to be a M’s fan, Felix is my hero.
Cy Young! Gold Glove! Start the voting.
yeeeaaah!
Another beautiful game on Felix’s resume to greatness! Now that was sappy. Nice win boys
CG 8 K’s 1BB 1ER(with our defense!!) That is a Felix Day if I ever heard one.
or
3) this game, when it is warmer as well as 2 weeks further into the season, Felix felt 100% when the 9th rolled around.
Nights like these make the rest of the week worth it. Maybe if we all concentrate hard enough we can collectively regenerate a hip and feel this way twice a week. Buen hecho Rey!
I was just thinking. Lord, don’t let Felix get hurt this year. He looks real good this year. So much smarter with his pitches. That pitch on the DP in the 8th was amazing. Outside corner with two strikes set up to be hit into a double play. It would be so sweet for him to have a chance at 20 this year.
Most any day is a good day to be a fan of the Mariners.
MSB - its so much talent at such a young age. thats what is scary. look at guys like prior and wood …
hes like neo / the ‘one.’ NO body knows what to do with the King .. but the fact of the Matter is he dominated the A’s in 115 pitches at age 22. Dominated.
One quick Beltre note:
That line drive he caught, I think in the 3rd off of Ellis…on HD, you can see the ball spinning in his glove, and him enjoying his catch.
He’s good at what he does, and he enjoys the little things
Phightin Phils: I was wondering what was up with that. I noticed him looking into his glove in wonder after the play, but I didn’t see the ball spinning.
nope, you’re right on the money. i think it’s going to be a tough division really and both fellow coasties need to be handled firmly from the very beginning! i like what i’m seeing in these divisional match-ups so far though!