Felix Day
Mike Snow · April 11, 2009 at 1:10 pm · Filed Under Mariners
Game 6, Mariners at Athletics, 1:05.
LF – Chavez
CF – Ferguson
DH – Sweeney
3B – Beltre
1B – Branyan
RF – Balentien
C – Johjima
2B – Cedeno
SS – Betancourt
Thankfully, Griffey sits against the lefthander.
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I would rather have Griffey DH vs a LH than Sweeney. Griffey has at least shown to give a quality AB every plate appearance.
No TV. =(
Why do they black out a game on a Saturday and with Felix pitching?I could see a Silva game, but come on!
Also, why is Sweeney batting 3rd again? Against RH, will Griffey DH a lot?
I would rather have Griffey DH vs a LH than Sweeney.
I’d rather have Jose Lopez, but I assume part of Wakamatsu’s 130-lineup strategy is regular rest for everybody.
I can’t even get game day audio off mlb.tv site.
The masters is on and there is a red sox game on fox, thats probably why no tv…. who is this Ferguson they have playing in CF?
I’d rather have Sweeney at first and Lopez at DH, with Branyan and Griffey going to the bench against the lefty.
In Canada, MLB.tv lets us watch!! Sweeney actually used his legs to get into scoring position before the Beltre K.
What happened to “every game, all HD, only on FSN?”
I guess Felix is the youngest since Gooden to get to 600 strikeouts this young.
Carp!!! I can get the spanish audio but I can’t get KIRO audio, WTH???
I know, it’s stupid. And I wouldn’t mind that much except the audio feed through MLB.tv isn’t working either. (Well, the alternate Spanish one is, but I’m not nearly fluent enough for that to be any help.) So I got nothing. Grrrrr…
Louder –
We’re all pretty upset with MLB audio. So far for the Mariners games they’ve gotten audio for half of them. Not to mention all the other problems with all the other teams.
And MLB audio really seems not to care.
Ugh.
Happy Felix Day…
Balantien just did something to his wrist almost making a great diving grab, but is staying in.
I’ve got mlb.tv audio from KIRO, and I am practically in Mexico. But that’s probably why the game is not on FOX.
How bad did the Balentin injury look? Dave says it looked like Morse last year.
Can’t they squeeze it onto FSN?
For those watching on MLBTV (I’m listening to the radio), how bad did Wlad’s wrist look? Sounds like he stayed in the game.
Good. I just saw “injury delay” on gameday and was thinking “please not Felix, please not Felix…”
Good thing, otherwise we might end up seeing Griffey after all.
It looked like he broke it when I first watched, it bent totally backwards, but obviously it wasnt that bad.
Alright, no butterfinger wristbreaker on that one. Whew! 24 outs to go!
Yay! A walk! From Wlad of all people!
Ugh, Johjima.
Johjima actually stung the ball on a line, right at Buck in RF. Still though, ugh.
Yes…and when one of the three
privileged,excuse me, “designated” Fox Saturday Baseball teams (the other two being the Yanks and the Angels) is also playing a matinee, then you don’t get to watch your local team. >:(Such is life…
Majorly pissed off at mlb right now. It’s not bad enough that even though you buy extra innings to watch your favorite in this waste land of Los Angeles, then they black out tv because of Fox, and now the freaking audio feed from mlb.tv doesn’t work, which you have to buy so you can follow the Mariners when you have to travel on business. This is total and complete bs.
“Ferguson.” Nice.
These walks are starting to piss me off…and they come back to bite Felix in the ass. Damn.
It’s going to be a very long day for felix if the umpire refuses to give him strikes at or around the knees. It looks like if its not right in the wheelhouse then it’s not a strike today.
Gameday shows Felix getting squeezed quite a bit.
Miracles do happen, the audio feed just came on mlb.tv
The pitches are all consistenly low. He’s not getting squeezed at all.
Does Gameday usually show a really inaccurate strike zone, or is Felix getting screwed?
I thought local market games could play even though fox has a game, it’s just blacked out on extra innings. Pretty sure this is just fsn not playing a game.
The MLB.tv feed isn’t FSN or the Bay Area equivalent today, its actually a ‘MLB.com’ announcing crew.
And David, Gameday must be inaccurate, as Felix hasn’t looked squeezed at all. He’s just missing his pitches.
Join the club louder. Some of us have been pissed off at MLB since opening day.
On opening day, my girlfriend and I had planned our day around the game, cuz it was opening day and Felix Day. So we both kept our evening free (not easy for us in a Musical Theatre conservatory) and came home and made dinner and got ready for the game… and then we didn’t get the game. Fortunately, we had XM radio, so we could listen to the away feed. But, that just made me more depressed when Junior homered and we weren’t able to listen to Dave’s call.
And when I called, they don’t seem to care and are unwilling to give an explanation.
this is frustrating as hell to watch on gameday.
48 pitches in just two innings, not good.
YAY. Home feed!
Honestly, I really wish sometimes that they would just throw all the local games back to the “baby Foxes” or other regional sports networks and end that stupid Saturday “game of the week” contract. At least that way you’d still be able to get the games on Extra Innings, instead of having the NY-Boston-Anaheim axis rammed down your throat every Saturday.
Seriously MLB? Advertising on gamecast?
yep, I’m getting the mlbtv audio now.
Amen! You just know that it’s always going be Angeles/Dodgers/Giants vs. New York team or Red Sox, every week.
Damn.. Sweeney stung that one. Thought it had a chance to get out.
Louder — So true…except since Bonds “retired”, even the Giants can’t seem to get on there these days.
FSN almost never carries Saturday day games. Recall that Saturday games at Safeco are usually at night, unless they’re getting broadcast nationally on Fox (eg this June 6th). But whether it’s the rare home afternoon Saturday game (eg July 25th) or Saturday afternoon away games like today, they shy away from competing with the parent network in that early afternoon timeslot. You will occasionally see an early game (like the 10am game in Toronto September 26)
Travis Buck’s Gameday photo is just scaring me. “DUDE!”
Wow a lucky strike out just when this was getting really ugly. C’mon Felix, strike out Ellis too.
Thanks for listening King!
Branyan is the man!
Branyan!!! Against a lefty!!!
There’s the second true outcome.
Branyan!
At least we only have to put up with this for two more games this season. (July 25th vs Indians and Oct. 3rd vs Rangers)
Dave seems to think this bodes well for Branyan’s future against lefties this season. Gotta love his optimism. Here’s hoping he’s right.
Wow Branyan crushed that one.. M’s are getting some solid line drives but right at people, if Felix can hold them I feel good about coming back.
They shouldn’t be allowed to play the commercial where the guys say Felix “was on fire” when Felix isn’t having an “on fire” day (though it sounds like it’s not entirely his fault, UMP).
hey all, havent commented in a loooong time – anyone in canada or wherever see what felix’s problem today is?
Actually, I rejoice every time the Cubbies luck out and get one of those Fox Saturday matinees — because at least I know I won’t be getting the Yanks/Bosox/Angels that day.
Wait, they are not televising a divisional matchup in Oct? WTF? That game could actually mean something… Hahahaaha. OK, seriously though, it’s possible!
Four k’s in a row. Not too bad at all. too bad about the second inning.
Hmmm…maybe that “on fire” commercial did help…
Celing Tiles,
He was having control issues earlier (esp. in the 2nd inning). Missing down a lot and when he got it up they’d hammer him. Seems to be in a nice groove now. Hope it lasts.
K K K K K K K K!
“Uncle Charlie came a callin!”
I love Dave N.
word. thanks scott. 8 k’s huh? maybe he’s found something…
What does “Uncle Charlie came a callin’” mean? I like it, but have no idea what it meant.
Great innings by Felix. it’s beyond belief that he insists on pitching completly differntly than that in the first two innings of every game.
It means Felix has an absolutely sick curveball, which he threw, which resulted in the batter looking like an idiot. Strike three.
Gamecast predicted winner–Oakland 78%
Thanks hark. Found this on Wikianswers as well:
“Uncle Charlie” came from CB radio usage in 1970s and was supposedly attached to the curveball because the two words contain “c” and “r” sounds that suggest “curve.”
It’s cool, he is just establishing the fastball.
Watching the Ms this year, I’ve seen this thing where if the pitcher throws four balls you can get on base without hitting it.
Felix has definitely found his groove since the second. Now, to get him some runs…
Doesn’t Vin Scully always go on (and on, and on…) about how Roy Campinella called the curve “Uncle Charlie?”
What? That’s crazy talk!
Gutierrez is clutch.
Franklin!!! Ok, I admit it – he’s my new man-crush.
GUTI!!
Gutierrez’s stock continues to rise.
Endy sliding into 1st though? Seriously?! He should know better than that.
Red Sox have tied the Angels 2-2. New Gamecast prediction Seattle 52%!!
Gutz!!! In New Zealand yesterday they were showing teh Mets game on TV and the announcer said the Mets and Indians really cashed in on the Mariners in the off season trade. If this is cashing in, they can cash in on us anytime.
How’s this for a nickname? The GOOT
So “Death to Flying Things” sometimes works against pitches, too.
Though the Rangers game time is still TBD, AFAIK.
But Roy Campinella also invented CB radio. And the helicopter. And the wheel. (Ok, that’s a joke, but I think Scully and Niehaus were both there for the latter.)
Sweeney is actually looking capable today. Good to see. And Chavez was safe when he slid into 1st (which he had no choice, he would have collided with the pitcher otherwise).
Ellis missed the tag there too. Gutz should have been safe at 3rd, but it was a boneheaded baserunning play.
I guess that’s a little better than what I was picturing. Tough to tell without the video. Dave N. made it sound like he could have been safe if he had stayed up.
He actually was safe and the ump missed the call, but the play was at the front of the bag and the ump is usually stationed behind the bag at first. It was bang-bang though. But the umps cost us at least one run that inning with two missed calls at the bases.
Oh Kenji.. (looks at him like a dog that just crapped on the rug).
No, Niehaus, it is not “ironic” that Felix had his career-high 12 strikeouts in the Oakland coliseum — it’s only “coincidence.”
Watching the Ms this year, I’ve seen this thing where the umps are missing calls that should go our way ahem-Chuck Merriweather-ahem.
Niehaus is cracking me up…
“And tomorrow is a day to beware of sugared up kids…”
Well, blame those two runs on Kenji. Felix should be out of the inning already.
Well, isn’t that just craptastic…
@ JerBear: yeah, that was a bit random…but very true.
@ Jack Cust: Ugggghhhh…
We’re happy to call Washburn “The Bus”, but we’ll be happy to blame Kenji anyway…
Hypocrisy at its finest.
Well, Kenji is the one who dropped the popup and allowed Giambi the 2nd chance to hit.. as much as I’d like to blame Washburn for it.. haha.
Can someone explain the nickname “The Bus” to me, please?
Meh, miggy’s up in the pen? This could get ugly in a hurry. Any chance we can get Roy instead? Pretty please.
The Bus, as in:”That guy threw you under the bus to the boss last week. He said he did all the work on that presentation while you were out playing golf.”
Washburn likes to blame his woes on his teammates aka throwing them under the bus.
Felix’s Groundout to flyout ratio is 0:7. You dont see that often.
Ah, gotcha. Thanks.
Johjima out again. Surprise.
Just to add to that…it was Kenji specifically — of course, following one of his numerous horrid starts last season.
Can’t even get a break when the A’s make an error today.. Cabrera boots it, right to Ellis on the second base bag for the force out.
Well, Miggy’s coming in now to most likely pile on the runs, so it looks like a good time to go out and run. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon, everyone!
Balentien out of the game with the bad wrist. Hope its not too bad. When is Ichiro back? Tuesday?
Eligible on Wednesday.
Hardly. We’re not blaming our poor performance on Kenji. We’re complaining about a mistake Kenji actually made. In Washburn’s case, it was ultimately his decision which pitches he threw. He could’ve shaken Kenji off. He could’ve thrown a better version of the pitch Kenji called for. Instead, he threw the pitch, got hit, and then blamed Kenji afterwards.
Though he said that was overblown. And Silva has been throwing everyone under the bus (or against a wall) except himself after his disasters. (Since he also resembles an overly large vehicle, Silva might have claimed that nickname if it hadn’t already been bestowed on Washburn). Speaking of Silva, Wakamatsu had an interesting take on the whole battery-decision-making situation after Silva gave up those two, two-run HRs in his first start.
This is not the greatest Felix Day. Although having the game on the radio instead of TV does encourage me to do more chores around the house…
Did Rick just mention OBP on air?
Lauren TC-
chores are not equatable with FELIX DAY. I’m sorry MLB has forced you to do chores on what should be a natioinal holiday.
OK, we could actually wind up in first place if we come back. Texas lost, Angels losing. C’mon M’s.
And there’s the third true outcome.
Nice walk by Branyan… I like it.
C’mon, indeed. A strong single, Jose, that’s all I ask.
Alright, when Kenji gets up throw Griffey in there.
please after lopez pinch hit for Jo with Griffy
J. Lo!!!
WOO HOO way to go Jose!
LOPEY!!!
go M’s!!!!!
That was bizzaro jo-jo!
Vlad!!! I had no faith in him but my eight year old daughter said he would get a hit.
still no outs!
Kenji!!! Showing up all you doubters!
awsome and all i was hoping for was a jlo sac fly special letrs go m’s
Please tell me we have someone warming up. Would hate for Batista to go back out there and not hold the lead.
Two-run single. By Kenji.
Throw inside to Kenji and face the consequences!!!!!!!!!!!!
go M’s!
Thank you, Kenji. Shut ‘em up.
Yay Jose! Yay Kenji — you’ve made up for those two runs.
@ zvazda: I concur.
awsome and all i was hoping for was a jlo sac fly special lets go m’s…WOW sharp line drive by Joh never mind me Wak keep in the Joh that worked out well
Ah, so this is how it feels when the other team’s bullpen has a meltdown. And I couldn’t pick a better team to have it happen to. (Well, except the Angels maybe).
Good timing.
Alright, I’ll eat my words. No more doubting from this guy.
Alright, just throw strikes Lowe. Lets finish this!
ok so Lowe is looking like he will be the 8th bridge then that is cool especilly how he looked last time out
5 pitches, 5 fastballs, 3 balls, a strike and a hit. Nice, Mark.
Ugh…
Frickin a Lowe – throw strikes!
Pitch strikes ya wing nut!
not so great of a bridge, actually.
Buck walks. On 5/6 more fastballs. At least two of those were strikes. Right? (Lowe…another control-less relief pitcher for your Seattle Mariners.)
anyone know if there is anyone warming up in the pen?
Just put the ball in the zone, that’s why you’ve got an all star defense behind you.
They said Corcoran got up…
Corky
The frickin bullpen has made every game a nail biter
I know we all like to poke fun at the play-by-play announcers and color commentators for stupid or obvious analyses (”You gotta throw strikes, Bob”), but they at least have an excuse of being live and having to just speak so that there isn’t dead time.
However, for a beat writer, who is blogging, they should probably stick to reporting, or try to come up with something more original. I don’t normally like bashing Geoff, but it seems like he could have done better than his post at 2:46:
“This is why it’s critical to catch every single ball you have a play on in the major leagues.”
Come on Geoff…
Lowe’s bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down.
Get Corky in there!
THANK YOU GOD!
Double play! Thank you, God!
just some wildness to set up that DP
Holy schniekies we needed that DP!
That was huge… Come on now Lowe, finish it off.
Awesome DP, thats what happens when you throw strikes and have a solid defense.
Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that God is either a masochist, or not a Mariners fan.
good, two more bases empty for him to fill
Phew. 3 more outs…
woohoo! Way to kill my skepticism!
worked out boy this bullpen is going to be exciting this year
Are those bite marks on Mark Lowe’s arse? It was that close…
wow! what an escape!
Talk about a scary inning, at least we got top of the lineup next inning. is Morrow available for the ninth?
Endy on now let’s get one more insurance run for BM
I like the fact that Wak kept Lowe in and Roy in yesterday….they know they have the confidence of their manager. Wak’s doing a good job working with the pen
Go, Endy, go.
Hopefully the way he’s been hitting forces Wak to keep him in LF once Ichiro! comes back and keeps Junior at DH.
Who’s the closer tonight?
Sweeney!
Did Sweeney get greedy on that or did he actually have a shot at 2nd?
nice sweeney a little vet grit
Gotta love small ball!
Franky getting it done every which way. I like this new top of the order. Ichiro’s return is going to create some interesting decisions for Wakamatsu.
And one game (against some shaky pitching) doesn’t mean anything, but Sweeney is doing some nice things with the bat today too.
Sweeney is on FIYAH
uh, wait, “watching” on Gameday. What did Sweeney do?
that’s it Bndon keep the ball down
He tried to take second on the throw to the plate, but they went back and got him.
Okay, Morrow. You have another three run lead.
Throw strikes this time.
Over in LA, Angels down by one in bottom of 9th, men on 1st and 2nd, Vlad up.
Sorry, Aybar up for Angels. And he K’s. 2 outs.
Uh-oh.
Wild thing! You make my heart sing!
no, Brandon, you’re supposed to strike out the first two before you start walking them.
I hate Orlando Cabrera. He’s been a pain in the ass, no matter what team he’s on.
Plus is buggy eyes bug me. (Just to be mean.)
So what happened on that Orlando Cabrera play? FIelders Indifference?
Brandon… RELAX. Please. Do it for the kids.
One more out for a great win! Please baseball gods
He stole second on indifference which means they didn’t try to throw him out.
Pause for station ID? with 2 strikes and 2 out in the 9th? Shameless
Crap! Tying run coming to bat, and Nomar at that!
Dammit Lopez!!!
C’mon Morrow, don’t let Lopez’ error rattle you. Nomah is dee-you-enn done, and you should have no trouble sending him home to Mia.
JOSE! What the hell?!
Fielding error on Lopez?
I’m following on Gameday. WTF happened?
Uggh, come on guys, just finish it. No errors or walks!
What did that error look like? Way to give Morrow confidence lopez!
The ESPN gamecast “predicted winner” just went from 99% Seattle to 92% Seattle with that error. Something tells me last year in the same situation it would be at 77%-ish.
Come on Brandon, put the game away
Atta Boy Brandon! M’s WIN!
Wahoo–first place
Great win!!
hahha, unbelievable.
When was the last time the Mariners were 2 games over .500?
So how many road trips did the M’s have a winning record on last year? I suspect they’re already closing in on that number.
Sit down! Good win.
Hell yes!
say hello to 4-2! it wasnt too pretty, but well take it
Wow, am I the only one that is starting to get that “it’s ok, we’ll find a way to win” feeling from this team? Sounds like that was a great game, good thing I am at work. Woulda been pissed if I was home and that wasn’t on tv!
Wow, am I the only one that is starting to get that “it’s ok, we’ll find a way to win” feeling from this team? Sounds like that was a great game, good thing I am at work. Woulda been pissed if I was home and that wasn’t on tv!
Hell yes!
First place by 1/2 over TX and 1 1/2 over Angels (who lost).
dont you think ichiro would love to rejoin a first place team…
Alone in 1st. Playoffs should be tommorow!
But anyway, I like how the M’s have had a lead in every game this year and have been in every game late.
So far the offense has that ‘find a way to win’ vibe.. but the bullpen has had the ‘desperately find a way not to lose’ mojo. Shaky.
Throw strikes please.
I just saw Willie Bloomquist lose a ball in the sun for the Royals costing them 2 runs. I miss him so much.
Mind you it WAS a tough play…
Man, the Schadenfeude I enjoy from reading the game threads over at Athletics Nation is so delicious it should probably be illegal. (Fortunately I don’t believe in karma or an afterlife, or I’d be really worried). Check out this sentiment.
Yes, and according to Drayer when Wak visited the mound he had some choice — and unprintable — words for Corcoran which, according to Roy, were exactly the right buttons to push. If you’re interested in this sort of thing (or really, if you’re an M’s fan at all) you really have to read Drayer’s blog. She doesn’t try to do analysis (she’s clearly smart enough to do it, but in fact I think she’s even smarter to not do it) but she provides all sorts of priceless little insights. Plus anecdotes like this:
That sucks that the season is in its first week and this game wasn’t on tv. Listened on the radio and watched on gameday while I was working at the farmers market. This team is making me happy so far.
So apparently MLB.com leaves the radio on for the postgame stuff, didn’t know that. It’s awesome, now after games I am just going to switch it over to the radio.
I keep forgetting that this offense will be getting ichiro back in less than a week. That should really make this offense exciting.
Im glad Endy had a good first week and it will be hard to sit him out of the lineup. I believe Griffey will understand DHing a lot more since he should think Endy, Guti, and Ichiro should be in the lineup and in the field.
Im liking this Mariner team a lot. If we can shore up the bullpen we can be pretty good.
6 series, including 2 in April, but only 3 victorious road trips.
Say hello to a .667 winning percentage. That’s third in the entire AL.
(Okay, and the two teams with better records are the Jays and the Orioles, and how long do you think that is going to last?. You have to love the early spring.)
BTW, since someone brought up Bloomquist, dare I mention someone we all miss a lot more? I mean, have you seen what Adam Jones has been doing in his first week? (And George Sherrill, too, for that matter).
Correct me if I’m wrong… but Ferguson as a moniker for Franklin Gutierrez is an homage to world-renowned poker player Chris “Jesus” Ferguson. Therefore, Gutierrez is a deity to lovers of centerfield defense everywhere.
I’m stubborn. I still think these guys are 5-1. I haven’t gotten over that loss yet.
I hope Wlad is going to be OK.
Otherwise, they’ll have to make a move pretty quickly because they are short an outfielder for sure.
Correct me if I’m wrong… but Ferguson as a moniker for Franklin Gutierrez is an homage to world-renowned poker player Chris “Jesus” Ferguson.
Nope, wrong guy, wrong nickname.
I’m excited about Ichiro coming back. The defense looks great; let’s imagine what the outfield will look like next week.
I know we hate discussions of what Ichiro does to team chemistry, but it really seems like these guys have something going now that isn’t normally there. I think that’s what makes me feel good about their comeback chances, anyway, but I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed a more outward portrayal of camaraderie. Anyway, I hope plugging in Ichiro helps that attitude develop even more.
To add to Mike, it’s 19th-century infielder Bob “Death to Flying Things” Ferguson, inspired by Dave Niehaus applying that nickname to Gutierrez.
well… he’s the messiah as far as the Mariners outfield goes… so I’m fine with being wrong about that lol