Game 42, Mariners at Rangers
Carlos Silva v Scott Feldman. 11:05.
Clement’s catching, which should be interesting, Kenji goes to DH, and 1B-0 Cairo is still batting second. I don’t feel like saying a lot more about this game if McClaren cares that little about it.
Okay, okay, so here’s the would-you-swap-’em for today.
C - Ennnhhhh… yes, because I think he’s the better catcher. This should not in any way be taken as denigrating Clement, who I think will hit but may not end up catching.
1B- Yes. You believe Shelton stinks? Doesn’t matter even if he does. Yes.
2B- Yes.
SS - Uhhhhhh…. no. Maybe? I don’t like his deal, and his defense is horrible. Is that enough to spike a deal, though?
3B - No. No. No.
LF - I’m going to have to give this some more thought. My initial reaction was “yes” and then I started to backtrack pretty quickly.
CF- No. I don’t care, I’m not trading Ichiro in one of these, ever.
RF - No.
DH - No, but it’s a weird DH thing going on tonight. Cat v Vidro, absolutely.
And Silva for Feldman? Sure.
Good thing I am at work and don’t have to watch them on TV. Stat tracker is far less painful.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:35 amCairo! Unbelievable.
Given the information we have available to us, one thing is clear: McLaren should be fired. Today. It is the next logical move, and it sure sounds like that clubhouse needs some new leadership.
This team may not be as good as the optimists (including me) thought, but no way is it the worst team in the majors.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:40 amI hope Jose Lopez gets a walk or two today, because his BA/OBP inversion is kind of freaking me out right now.
I also hope to win the Lotto, a gold-plated Mercedes, etc.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:41 amSilva’s gonna get shelled…Cairo will do jack squat…we’ll have another couple errors…and I’ll have to wait till I get home tonight to watch the recording…so the real question is, “Who’s the more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?”
May 14th, 2008 at 10:48 amHere’s the question though: say you fire McLaren — what then? You stick Riggleman or Perlozzo in there for the rest of the season while you look for a replacement? How is that better? If there was a great candidate out there you could jump on, sure, but who would that be? Would they want to join up mid-season? If not, what’s the rush? And McLaren is far from the limit of the problems. Shouldn’t there be a housecleaning from top to bottom? Shouldn’t the (hopefully) new GM have input on the new coach?
May 14th, 2008 at 10:54 amI think the swap M Young for Betancourt isn’t really fair, because Young is a 2B playing out of position. Would you take Young for Lopez/Vidro/Cairo? And I think you answer that is Yes-in a heartbeat, in spit of his contract. Sure, he’s paid too much, but as a slight -defensive 2B, he’s worth it.
Also, Saltalamacchia is not that good of a defensive C either. He’ll also probably be moved eventually. But I would take his stick over Clement’s. Salty scares pitchers more so than Clement does.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:57 amJose Lopez’ “inversion” is kind of cool, actually. Maybe he’ll keep it up all season and set the season record for Sacrifice Flies in the process (19 - Gil Hodges, 1954)… at 8 already, he’s well on his way.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:57 amI agree. The GM should be sacked first, and the replacement should choose the field manager.
It would be interesting if someone in the media asked McLaren what the rationale is behind having your worst hitter hitting in the #2 hole.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:58 amI think it’ll be interesting to make that Saltalamacchia - Clement comparison next year, or the year after, or at the end of their respective careers.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:59 amSo anybody want to lay odds there’s a rain delay long enough that at least some people will get to watch the end of this game after work?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:03 amLopez has gone 121 at bats since his last BB. During that time, his BA has gone up from .308 to .319, but his OBP has gone down from .341 to .316.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:03 amoooh, a threat of rain– so they could lose this one in just 5 innings!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:07 amBrad Wilkerson had 10 BB’s in his rather limited time with the M’s. Lopez and Betancourt have combined for 6 BB’s this season. While Lopez is enjoying a good year so far, batting average-wise, the Lopez/Betancourt combo is a contributing factor to the offensive anemia we’ve seen.
In fact, Cairo’s OBP is pretty much equal to Betancourt’s, even though he’s only hitting .154.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:09 amI’d love to say that I’m surprised by the placement of Cairo again in the two hole, but I can’t lie to myself.
Honestly at this point, I’m more curious as to how short or long of a leash Mac is on at this point. Has there been any indication of this publicly or privately at this point?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:09 amSo (courtesy of Rizzs) the Rangers own the best record in baseball since April 15th. Think a schedule that gave them four games against KC and six (now seven) against the M’s might have something to do with that?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:10 amLooks like Feldman has the drill totally figured out. Throw nothing but strikes, let the Mariners get themselves out. This one will be over quick.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:12 am“A couple of hours before the game, Armstrong offered a vote of confidence in McLaren and his coaches.
“He’s doing a fine job,” Armstrong said. “I like our staff. I like the manager. … I think Mac is doing a fine job. He’s got a good staff, and they give him good support.”"
May 14th, 2008 at 11:13 amTo think, just last monday we were all looking at 6 more games vs. the Rangers in 9 days and eyeing the prospect of getting back in the division race.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:15 amThis one will be over quick.
Depends on how many times the Rangers bat around.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:15 am“Honestly at this point, I’m more curious as to how short or long of a leash Mac is on at this point. Has there been any indication of this publicly or privately at this point?”
I would be surprised if they fired MacLaren at all this season since whoever they stuck there wouldn’t be a long term replacement and the season’s virtually over for the Ms anyways barring nothing less than a miracle.
At this point it’s likely that both Mac and Bavasi will get canned at the end of the season so might as well let them tough this year out, fire Bavasi and let his replacement pick his own manager.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:16 amFire them all.
Seriously. Fire them all and bring in a whole new group of baseball people from Bavasi down. We need fresh eyes and fresh ideas.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:17 amwow. they didn’t even wait until the 5th to lose.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:18 amNiehaus sounds kinda dejected.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:18 amThat’s an awful lot of points in one paragraph!
(I tease you solely because I do this same thing myself sometimes, don’t be mad)
May 14th, 2008 at 11:18 amMaybe both Bavasi and McClaren have standing job offers elsewhere, and both are trying to get fired (kind of like George and Mr. Wilhelm on Seinfeld). Its the only thing that would make sense.
Its been said before, but pulling line-ups out of a hat would probably yield better results than having McClaren choose line-ups. This season is becoming very interesting in its own way…I no longer look forward to winning, but wonder what zany and wacky thing McClaren will think of next.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:19 amYep, it didn’t even take Silva 15 minutes to put the game completely out of reach.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am(Rizzs plugging “your local Chiropractor”) — say Rangers fans, if you’re getting whiplash from watching all the balls your guys are hitting off Silva…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:20 amUnlike Managers, GM’s and other front office gurus don’t grow on trees and finding the right fit for your organization takes time and timing (i.e. the off-season). Firing and replacing McLaren would take all of five seconds. Who cares if a new GM will replace McLaren’s interim replacement? The Mariners should at least insert somebody who can fill out a freaking lineup card until that day arrives.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:21 amHeh, too funny that you pointed that out. I didn’t even realize that, and I did find the humor in it myself.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:21 amTwo runs aaaaand the game is officially out of reach.
Well, ok, the ONE TIME the M’s have overcome a two-run deficit is when it occurred in the first inning. They’ve got eight innings to catch up this time. The problem is, Silva will still be pitching for at least five of those innings.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:21 ambring in a whole new group of baseball people from Bavasi down
You need to go higher than that. Or you’ll just get the same hiring process that yielded Bavasi.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:22 amDespite predicting a quick ending, I’m still shocked by just how fast it was.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:22 amNot that this means anything in pro sports these days. Front offices routinely praise managers/coaches right up until (and sometimes past) the point when they fire them.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:22 amThey’ve got eight innings to catch up this time.
Not if the rain moves in. Silva may have a complete game loss in those five innings.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:23 am27 - Awesome.
So which would be more excruciating … watching this team or the Phantom Menace?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:26 amThe other problem is that the bullpen will be pitching after that. It seems like they’ve been good for allowing at least 2-3 runs in 3+ innings of work every night lately.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:26 am6-inning, rain-shortened perfect game for Corey . . . oops . . . Scott Feldman. You heard it here first.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:29 amHey. The M’s have a chance to make history today: So, does a “complete game” 5 inning no-hitter count… because I’ve got a hunch.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:30 amIf these guys end up getting no-hit by a rotation bottom-feeder like Feldman, that’s gotta be hitting rock-bottom.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:30 amah! beaten to the punchline!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:31 amChad Fairchild makes himself even more popular.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:32 amNice catch Ichiro.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:32 amIchiro never argues…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:34 amThe next time someone says that Ichiro’s lazy, I’m going to go Clockwork Orange on them and make them watch that play over and over until they repent.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:34 amIchiro did as close to a dive that he’s going to do for a ball–give him the damn out!
I’m actually shocked that something went the M’s way.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:34 am[no]
May 14th, 2008 at 11:34 amI believe so…I think they were talking about that last year in that game which Paul Byrd started against us in Cleveland…
Which ended up getting suspended short of being “official” due to that raging blizzard.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:36 amFor some reason, the fact that Cairo is regularly starting at 1B and hitting 2nd in the line-up has pushed me over the edge. In the grand scheme of things it’s not that big of a deal, and no where near as meaningful as, say, the Silva contract or insisting that Ibanez play LF all the time. But when I keep seeing Cairo at 1st base AND getting the 2nd most plate appearances each game, I want to pick up my monitor and throw it against the wall. There’s just no reason that should be happening.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:36 amKenji likes this ballpark, doesn’t he?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:36 am#38…in the analogy of M’s game to Episode I…who is the M’s answer to Jar Jar Binks? Who is so annoying, foolish and useless that you simply spend the whole show hoping Obi Wan decapitates him with a light saber?
My vote is for Miguel Cairo who kind of looks funny and adds nothing to the team. If Ron Fairly were still around, however…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:37 amKenji!
Officially ending the no-hit discussion…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:38 amHas USSM been lagging for people lately? It’s been chugging the past couple days for me.
Chuck Armstrong as Senator Palaptine? Willie as Amidala?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:40 am1 hit shutout still alive, and VERY VERY possible.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:40 amIsn’t Willie more like the chick that pretends to be the actual princess, but really isn’t?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:42 amRaul as Qui-Gon?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:42 amIt’s just the one server… it gets hit really hard during game threads. Sorry, we don’t have our own shared server farm with a hundred other sports blogs or anything.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:42 amOr just give them a real horrorshow tolchock to the glazzies. Moloko anyone?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:42 amThe game is moving rapidly, isn’t it? At least it is when the M’s are batting. Feldman must be a genius pitcher.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:42 amKenji gets a no-out double, and we can’t get the ball out of the infield the rest of the inning. Fundamentals…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:43 amWho’s Vidro? The Frog king dude from Jar Jar’s world!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:43 amDon’t worry DMZ, McLaren keeps throwing out this lineup and no one will be on the game threads anyways.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:43 am“in the analogy of M’s game to Episode I…who is the M’s answer to Jar Jar Binks? Who is so annoying, foolish and useless that you simply spend the whole show hoping Obi Wan decapitates him with a light saber? ”
Mike Blowers?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:44 amA scout quoted on Baker’s blog sums up my feeling about the Mariners right now: “You want to see a team waiting to lose every night, that’s them.”
May 14th, 2008 at 11:45 amI’d say McLaren 62. Blowers is better than Valle and Fairly.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:46 amMike Blowers?
I dunno, that exchange with Sims the other night about the wind and the old stadium was worth the price of admission. Funniest thing I’ve heard at a Mariners game for some time.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:47 amI’m glad I had the first Star Wars reference of the day in comment 4…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:47 amAnd predicted that Silva would get shelled…right on so far…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:49 amI find your lack of faith disturbing.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:49 amCairo hitting a ball that deep should be worth 12 runs. Might be a close game then…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:50 amDMZ - don’t apologize when you are already doing so much for all of us.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:50 amIt’s fun watching Raul “run”
May 14th, 2008 at 11:53 am“The odds of successfully making a hyperspace jump to the front of the division with a rusted scrapheap of a team–”
May 14th, 2008 at 11:53 am“Never tell me the odds!”
Raul moves like a cartoon character. But I won’t mock–it’s a run.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 amDMZ is like Yoda, providing his wisdom from a tower in the clouds millions of miles away.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 amHoly cow! Two out rally?!
You mean Feldman isn’t the second coming of Sandy Koufax?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 amGuys! I have my M’s hat on today though! I’m not supposed to wear it at work, something has to change…… I am doing what I can. GO M’s! *Laughs at myself at desk*
May 14th, 2008 at 11:54 amThe 2008 Seattle Mariners: “Another Night, Another Zero!”
May 14th, 2008 at 11:56 amLaird to Gabbard, as Richie is charging the mound: “Let the Wookie win”
May 14th, 2008 at 11:57 amToo bad Beane hates the Pacific NW, otherwise you spend whatever it takes to lure him out of Oakland, trade for him a la NFL coaches, anything!
May 14th, 2008 at 11:57 amBut Dave sounds like Yoda. If Yoda was hopped up on meth and coke and six double espressos.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:58 amDoes is go without saying that Sims is Jar Jar Binks?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:59 amjoser-
Best comparison yet. Freakin hilarious!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pmAnd see, McLaren probably thinks this guy is “tough to hit” because “he hasn’t started against us before”.
Hmm…interesting that scouting reports and video tape have not been invented yet.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pmmaybe the Rangers know the Ms lose when two runs are scored, and they have gotten complacent …
May 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pm78- That’s rad…
May 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pmChris Young v. Washburn? Ugh… chalk that up as another loss.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pm“Isn’t Willie more like the chick that pretends to be the actual princess, but really isn’t?”
Willie would be the annoying lil kid version of Anakin.
Team overall: Bantha poodoo.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:01 pmToo bad Beane is a part-owner of the A’s …
May 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pmBeane has a small ownership share in the A’s, they’re on their way to a new stadium and all the added payroll that entails, and he’s got a nice pool of young talent with no ugly overhanging contracts. Why would he leave for anything less?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:02 pmThanks joser, I’d forgotten he had a share of the team now, and I live down here with them.
I just like the way he consistently moves the AAA manager up to the show to be a bench coach for a year or two, and then they get the manager’s job.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:04 pmAs if that upcoming series wasn’t promising to be painful enough, we don’t even get to see Peavy or Maddux go for our Hated Rivals.
Good thing it’s supposed to be 80-85 and sunny this weekend…they might actually draw 20k for one or two of those games.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:05 pmHee, can’t you just see Richie standing at 1B waiting for a pitch, occasionally letting out that wookie yowl?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:06 pmAs a long time Sacramento resident, and supporter of the Kings; that’s how you judge when a team is truly awful: when more people show up to watch the opposition’s stars than their own team.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pmToo bad Richie didn’t play in more games back in ‘98…he could’ve been “Wookie Of The Year”!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:09 pmIf Mike Blowers were a Star Wars character he would be Steven Wright, but only if Steven Wright were a Star Wars character.
Bavasi sort of reminds me of that tall, bald dude with the proboscis sticking out of his head who answers the door at Jaba’s palace. “I am sorry, but you cannot enter. Your OBP is much too high. But you . . . what did you say your name was? Cairo? Yes, you may enter at once.”
Bedard is Han Solo frozen in carbonite.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pmYeah, the A’s know what they’re doing. No doubt about that. It almost doesn’t even matter who the manager is. Look at how Art Howe did so well there, the moved on to the Mets, sucked, and is probably now knitting.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pmwell, saturday. on sunday, when I have tickets it is supposed to drop to the 60s.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:13 pmJust reading Baker’s blog, and he said that the coaches adjusted the outfield alignment, pulling them in so there’d be fewer singles sending runners to third, if the balls go over their heads, so be it. And how many doubles have the Rangers had so far? They were pushed in both runs, right?
Jeez.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:14 pmum, Art is sitting across the field next to Ron Washington
May 14th, 2008 at 12:14 pm96: Isn’t he hosting a cooking show on the Food Network these days?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:15 pmAnyone pay any attention to Brian Myrow, down in P-town? The guy is stuck in AAA with the Padres, who have Adrian Gonzales at first. Since the M’s have put their money on youth, why not go all the way. Talk to the Padres while they’re in town. Myrow could have four or five good years in the majors, and he would be a massive step up from what the M’s have had the last four or five years.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:18 pmI vote Bill Bavasi as Jar Jar binks. So annoying and pointless.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:19 pmSpeaking of wookies, Niehaus just mentioned that Sexson’s suspension will be over on Friday and that he should be in the lineup.
Hoo-boy…can’t wait for that excitement!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:19 pmWhy the hell is Cairo bunting?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:19 pmBecause he and Mac both know he can’t reach base swiging away.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:23 pmOk, I’m sorry, but very little is supposed to be OT in a game thread and, well, this game is dull and the M’s have that Japanese connection, so….I found this (while reading about Sony’s financial results, I swear). It’s pretty amazing that somebody can invent a solar-powered bra and that’s not the most ridiculous thing about it:
(from the picture caption)
May 14th, 2008 at 12:23 pmDoes anyone track 3-1 counts converted into strike outs?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:23 pmNot watching it that avidly (watching the UEFA Cup final at the same time) but I thought I saw Balentien bunting at some point - seems to make no sense having your best power threat bunting in a one run game.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:25 pmjoser, that is quite possibly the most off-topic thing I’ve ever seen posted on this site.
I don’t think I can even bring myself to nuke it, but I can’t guarantee someone else won’t.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:26 pm106: Gee, maybe Terry and Dale Bozzio can get Missing Persons back together for a revival tour — Dale has something new to wear now!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pm108- Who is winning? You watching online somehow?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:27 pmI’m in the UK. It’s 0-0, but it’s all Zenit at the moment.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm109 - Screw Griffey, can I get chris bosio back?
Are we winning?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:31 pmWell, I don’t care if it gets nuked, as long as it amuses the dozen or so people who got to see it while it was there.
Missing Persons, the Bozios, whoa, there’s an 80s flashback.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:32 pmIt will never cease to amaze me how huge a one run deficit appears when behind and how slim a one run lead looks when ahead.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:33 pm112- Thanks for the reminder, got it on Gamecast now. I know it’s OT but who are you pulling for in the Champions League Final?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pmOn my cable line-up, I get FSC, which is some Fox soccer network, and it’s on there.
I’m confused about storing beverages in a bra. Are there cupholders, or little sacs?
And a man on second, no outs! Goooo, M’s!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pmMan,… Clement better not K!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:36 pmHey look, balls can go over the head of the Rangers’ fielders too.
Was that really Clement’s first RBI this year??
May 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pmSometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, I’ll take it.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pmI would argue a Japanese solar-powered bra would be a better $24 million investment than… oh, never mind.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pmDang it all. Sexson will be back for the weekend?
Sheesh.
It looks like Portland fans might think they’re at PGE Park this Sunday. Estes will be pitching, Carlin will likely catch. With Gerut in the outfield, and Edgar Gonzales off the bench, this weekend will seem a lot like a Rainiers-Beavers game from a couple weeks ago.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pmSpeaking of 80’s flashbacks, Clement was really, ah, “motorin’” right there!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:38 pmCAN I GET A FLY BALL
May 14th, 2008 at 12:41 pmArg! Man on third, no outs, tie game and nobody can get it out of the infield?
Come on Yuni, bloop one in!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:42 pmWoot - woot, atta boy!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pmThe way the two “major” league parent clubs are playing, a Rainiers-Beavers matchup is liable to outdraw a Mariners-Padres matchup.
Today’s Apocalypse Update: Mariners have a LEAD!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pmw00t! We’ll take that too!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pmBalentien and Yuni seemed to have decided to try the ol’ “Let’s change our pants and see if it makes us hit better” trick.
Worked for one guy for one at-bat.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:43 pmMan, Yuni will never take pitches when he rips the first pitch like that.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pmWOO HOO!!! We’re winning!!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pmSorry..I don’t get to say that very often…
Dammit, team finally wakes up and I have to leave for an appointment!
Oh, well. Goooooo, M’s! Keep that lead!
May 14th, 2008 at 12:45 pmRegarding Clement’s triple…for those watching on tv was it a legit shot or was it ‘outfield aided?’
May 14th, 2008 at 12:50 pmUh-oh…wonder what’s up with Silva?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:51 pmYeah, TV watchers, what kind of injury?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pmI can’t watch the game so I’m just using MLB.com’s Gameday thing. Is Silva hurt?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pmInjury? Watching the gamecast I just assumed that it was time to get the bullpen involved in R v. L matchups.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:53 pm“Silva removed from game: excessive stomach pain caused by delicious smells of clubhouse spread”
May 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pmDMZ, I’ve never seen you more wrong about anything, ever! It was the delicious Texas’ clubhouse spread. Not the M’s. He’s busy sneaking in there right now.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:57 pmBlowers was going on about some local place with fantastic fried chicken; maybe they stock the Texas clubhouse.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:58 pmSo I guess today is Bad Morrow.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pmHow is this the same Morrow we saw the other night?
May 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm133 - MLB Gameday posted the video. Hamilton got a terrible read on the ball off the bat. It was definitely outfield aided. I don’t think Hamilton realized that the mojo was rising, that causes balls to carry you know.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pmI thought it might be due to Silva eating Bloomquist.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:00 pmClement’s triple was outfield-aided: Hamilton took a couple of steps in and then started backpedaling but it went over his head.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pmMorrow is so crafty. Why don’t more pitchers realize that it favors the defense when you can get a force out at any base.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pmIs it a bad thing that I want to wear a bag over my head when I’m listening to the game at work?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pmIn the future, they need to warm up both Lowe and Morrow simultaneously and figure out while they’re still in the bullpen which one of them has his control that day.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pmHmm…didn’t know there were Taco Del Mar’s down in DFW…darn those day-old fish tacos!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pmTime for Vasquez to beat the crap out of the M’s. Again.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pm10 pitch walk. Sweet.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:04 pmVazquez, up with yet another chance to kill us.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:05 pmWTF does this happen every time with Green? There was already one on, bring him then instead of Morrow. I do not agree whatsoever with Mac’s use of the pen this year. Brutal!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:06 pmPhewww…Arthur Rhodes. We’re safe.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pmI forget…what carton of sunflower seeds did we get for Vasquez again?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pmGeez guys, how come we want to be anything close to contender, ever, without having a solid back up for any infield position??? TIme to dig some young guns from the farm
May 14th, 2008 at 1:07 pmLeaving Rhodes in against a righty? No, 4 straight righties?? Seriously?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:08 pmHoly crap, they got out of it?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:09 pmWow, and the middle infield didn’t boot it.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:10 pmHey, great job Mac. Just like you planned it. Phewww.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:10 pmthat’s gritty veteran toughness right there
May 14th, 2008 at 1:10 pmToday on Arson Squad: Seattle, the squad actually manages to get through the bottom of the seventh with a lead intact!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pmLucky > Good
May 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pmEven a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:11 pmIt’s Amazing! The M’s had something go their way? Arthur even tried to screw it up…..and Vasquez didn’t destroy us!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pmAnother thing I hate about gamecast:
The “ducks on the pond” graphic changed to just men on second a third. So I start to flip out, thinking that Rhodes gave up a double, then it changes again to “End of the 7th”
I’m so relieved, but that was cruel….
May 14th, 2008 at 1:13 pmI thought #2 hitters were supposed to make contact…
May 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pmYeah, that was a bad move by the Rangers. Don’t they know by now that Vasquez is an M’s killer?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:14 pmOh yeah…it was the legendary Ben Davis.
How could I ever forget that first-ballot Hall Of Famer?!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:15 pmIn the same year we traded for Ben Davis we also forfeited our 1st round pick for Greg Colbrun. That was a good move.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:19 pmGameday is saying Carlos left with an injured back.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:20 pmThat may not be good…
May 14th, 2008 at 1:21 pm“I knew I shouldn’t have eaten Bloomquist.”
May 14th, 2008 at 1:22 pmWas it a vertebrae?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:24 pm…classic
May 14th, 2008 at 1:24 pmMaybe he forgot he wasn’t a snake, tried to unhinge his jaw to make Willie easier to get down, and threw out his back?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pmGrittiness is seems to be rough on the old digestive tract…
May 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pmJabba the Silva?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:26 pmAnother poor defensive play in RF by Wlad.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:27 pmBobble or a bad read?
uh oh. This looks bad.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:28 pmThey must WANT to lose this game. They need more GRITTINESS!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:29 pmI’m watching the game on ESPN MLB Gamecast. Any suggestions for something better?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:31 pmCan we just pretend we won this game after its over. I want to see a blog post on our win.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:32 pmI’m watching the game on ESPN MLB Gamecast. Any suggestions for something better?
Go read a good book. You’ll enjoy it far more.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:34 pmGo punch yourself in the face with a brick. That is also more enjoyable.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:35 pmI think WFB is the Wedge Antilles of the M’s. He’s the only rebel pilot that appears in, and survives all three original Star Wars films. Like Willy, he’s a bit player that you just can’t get rid of no matter how many Tie Fighters / Cheaper Replacement-Level Players you throw at him.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pmVery nice play Wlad!!! Diving grab. Just when I thought you couldn’t do any worse, you go out there, and totally redeem yourself!!!!!!!!!!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pmRaul coulda been there…
May 14th, 2008 at 1:36 pmAnyone want to wager on which Ranger gets the walk off home run?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pm#186 - Except Wedge is probably the second or third best pilot in the entire Star Wars universe.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pmVazquez….
May 14th, 2008 at 1:38 pm189
I’m going with Will Clark
May 14th, 2008 at 1:38 pmI didn’t think you could make that claim unless you were a Jedi or a Wookie.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pmI would rather have Putz come in and drill Laird in the dome. I am sick of that piece of @#$%. It would be worth a loss to see that guy go down.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pmTwo of the better suggestions I’ve had in some time.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:39 pm195 - mlb.tv if you want to watch other teams play live
May 14th, 2008 at 1:42 pmWFB….good play. That is why he is the MVP.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:42 pmWlad! Come on baby, get us that fly ball this time.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:43 pmWlad 0/3 trying to bring in run from 3rd with 1 out.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:44 pmon that wlad´s ball, was the infield in?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:46 pmCLUTCH!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmGo put a 80’s thrash punk disc on and smash your head into the wall repeatedly. That would be more fun!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmAnd that, my friends, is why this team is the worst in the league. And they don’t even have anyone to bring off the bench to hit for Wlad/Betancourt, as you would with a guy on 2nd/3rd and it was the bottom of your lineup.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmWell, here we go….another nail biter!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:47 pmAll aboard the doom train.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:48 pmIs the RRS vs. Salty contest historic? Is that the most letters ever combined in a Pitcher vs. Hitter matchup?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:49 pmNothing says Mariners baseball like a walk to lead off the inning.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pmHey, don’t worry. Lowe is coming in with his WHIP of 2.09.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pm20 bones says he scores.
What is it…..75% of lead off runners score or something?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:50 pmYep…it’s shapin’ up to be another one of those days where the poor ponies go over the cliff like a herd of bison.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pmI love the M’s (in general), so it pains me to root for them to keep losing.. but it’s the only way some drastic changes are going to get done.
C’monnnn FAT PITCH.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pm#193
Anakin Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
Wedge Antilles?
Han Solo?
Jango Fett?
Boba Fett?
Lando Calrissian?
Obi Wan Kinobi?
How do you figure? At least in the movies Wedge is just a good pilot that gets lucky and doesn’t die.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pm207
In the bottom of the 9th in a tie game with the SECOND to last team in the division….
May 14th, 2008 at 1:51 pmThat lead runner doesn’t appear to be scoring.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:53 pmwhat the ‘eck just happened with one out and Bloomquist on 3rd?
(I’m restricted to gameday - which is no help here)
May 14th, 2008 at 1:54 pm211- I’ll drink to that when I get home.
We need BIG changes.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:54 pmWhat was Wedge’s VORP?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:55 pmGreat play by Cairo. Nice call to put that on.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:55 pmWow…Shelton BUNTING into a double play? That’s a Mariner-esque move if ever I’ve seen one!
Please, Bill, don’t run out and get this guy!
May 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pmAt this point comparing us to the Rangers at all does the Rangers a disservice. If this were the English Premier league the M’s would have been booted down to the NL West and Diamondbacks would have been called up to the AL.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pmHow do you bunt into a double play? Was that the worst bunt ever?
May 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pmExtra Innings! No rain delays! Silva wasn’t shelled! The Mariners haven’t been no hit! Our walks aren’t even coming around to score!
Welcome to bizzaro world.
May 14th, 2008 at 1:59 pmPulling this out today should give the team a shred of hope — hey, we *can* compete when we don’t play like little-leaguers.
But the upside of a win vs. the downside of a loss? That clubhouse would be a tough one to take.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:00 pmRaul goes deep right here. Calling it. 2-1 pitch.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:03 pmI don’t post here much anymore but I thought I would make a suggestion:
You all hate Mclaren and you all hate Bavasi (professionally, not personally). One thing that tends to screw up teams in places like New York (where I now live), is that the fans expect to win all the time. After a small sample of losses the fans get furious and start circulating false rumors and screaming obscenities about management. This is often not particularly firmly grounded in an analysis of those managers’ decisions and the information they had when they made them. It is essentially a “we’re New York, we should always be winning mentality” that gives any coach or manager 2 years or less to win. This is often counter-productive and leads to unnecessary setbacks which always accompany regime changes. Sometimes it is a good idea though, such as the recent firing of Isiah Thomas. I was at a Sonics-Knicks game at the garden (Durant was unbelievable) and the chants of “Fire Isiah!” were nutty. Do the idiots screaming in the stands understand the specific personnel deals Isiah made and why they screwed up the Knicks? No. But the result is what it is.
I know it is VERY un-Seattle to do something like this. But how about some “Fire Bavasi!”
He will probably get fired anyways but why not make sure =). This is the Mariners man.
Makes a lot more sense than booing Richie Sexson, which is misdirected because he is just a baseball player and it isn’t his fault the management wanted to pay him obscene money.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:03 pm222 - not to mention that the Mariners have won 2 of their last 13 games… and they were the games where Washburn and Batista started.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:03 pmOK…I know you guys all dislike the accuracy of Joe’s Tracer…how does it compare to the pitch location thing on ESPN GameCast?
May 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pmRaul did go deep, to shallow right center field.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pmWhy use Putz now?
May 14th, 2008 at 2:08 pmGood thing Willie was used as a pinch runner so that we could prevent him from being a defensive replacement.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:09 pmI’m just happy they keep hitting it to RF and not left…no particular reason…
May 14th, 2008 at 2:11 pmI’m not sure you can really complain about using Willie as a pinch runner today. That’s one of his roles. They had to try and score a run, then they could have double switched, put Burke behind the plate and Willie in left.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pmTexas Rangers have Nolan Ryan as their team president. We have Chuck Armstrong. Wanna trade?
Jeeez Wlad…almost take out our 2nd baseman by not calling for it. Rough series for Wlad, except for HR Monday.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pmSeriously if this game continues after this inning who is going to pitch? Is Baek available? Ichiro! might get his shot at the mound.
Lowe - used
May 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pmMorrow - used
Green - used
Rhodes - used
RRS - used
Putz - pitching