Game 86, Rangers at Mariners

Jay Yencich · July 10, 2009 at 6:58 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

The beginning of the post-Yuni era. Cedeno is at short, as he has been for some time now, but I remain curious about those Pirates scouts said to be in the stands in last night’s game. A more permanent move for a shortstop could be in order, and Dave has already talked up those possibilities plenty.

I’d also like to highlight Drayer’s final piece on this trade. Her clubhouse insights are, as always, excellent. While we have been frustrated with the performances of the Double Play Twins over the years, both have had their share of things to deal with early in their careers. I’d like to hope that Yuni uses this as an incentive to get back on track with his career, as he’s not a bad guy, just rather unfocused.

Anyway, let’s get to the lineups. I notice that Branyan, as of last night, has moved back to the second spot in the order.

RF Ichiro!
1B Branyan
2B Lopez
DH Griffey
CF Gutierrez
LF Langerhans
C Johjima
3B Woodward
SS Cedeno

Comments

130 Responses to “Game 86, Rangers at Mariners”

  1. sweeper on July 10th, 2009 9:48 pm

    How does Junior not score there?

    He didnt score because kinsler woulda gunned him down just like he did branyan in the first

  2. Kazinski on July 10th, 2009 9:53 pm

    “First Giants no-hitter since John Montefusco in 1976”

    Wow, that brings back memories, I took my wife, them my 16 year old girlfriend to see the Count at the ‘stick back in ’78. I froze my ass off because I had to give her my coat, cause she underdressed.

  3. bilbo27 on July 10th, 2009 9:56 pm

    Man Sanchez would have had a perfect game if not for Uribe’s error. I believe Uribe owes him a steak dinner. 😉

  4. sniper61 on July 10th, 2009 9:57 pm

    Ok Lopez, redeem yourself.

  5. juneau_fan on July 10th, 2009 9:57 pm

    What does it take to get the crowd on their feet?

  6. 95Ms on July 10th, 2009 9:58 pm

    brandon only had 74 pitches tonight? why not let him go longer. Then jakab and everyone else could’ve been pushed back farther you know. I’m no expert or anything, but you know.

  7. bilbo27 on July 10th, 2009 9:59 pm

    I don’t understand the “indifference” move by teams. I mean, make a throw. You pretty much get Branyan if you do and then the game would be over instead of tieing run still at the plate. Worst that happens is the catcher throws it into center and Branyan takes third. Odds are though Branyan would be thrown out.

  8. JerBear on July 10th, 2009 10:04 pm

    Well, dammit. We need to take the next 2 now… hopefully Wash and Bedard are on top of their respective games…

  9. IndieSnob on July 10th, 2009 10:06 pm

    Worst that happens is the catcher throws it into center and Branyan takes third.

    Yes, but it also takes out the force at second.

  10. Kazinski on July 10th, 2009 10:08 pm

    I don’t understand the “indifference” move by teams. I mean, make a throw.

    It’s not just making the throw it’s also taking one of your middle infielders out of position t if the ball is put in play. That’s what could really end up hurting you.

  11. jephdood on July 10th, 2009 10:08 pm

    I’m very tired of this ‘on-the-job training’ for Morrow. We have other options.

  12. Scottdids on July 10th, 2009 10:09 pm

    I was really not a fan of Wakamatsu’s pitching changes tonight. I think Morrow, Jak and Olson could have gone longer, and now you’ve burned up more pitchers for the remaining 2 games. Instead, they get to Kelley and those are your deciding runs.

  13. wrob4343 on July 10th, 2009 10:10 pm

    I still have no earthly idea why Shawn Kelley pitched tonight to get one flipping out.

  14. hidalgo on July 10th, 2009 10:12 pm

    Why, why, why does Wak NEVER pinch hit for Cedeno? I’d rather see Woodward bat in the eighth and save Shelton for Cedeno in the ninth. Why is he so in love with this guy?

  15. bilbo27 on July 10th, 2009 10:12 pm

    “Yes, but it also takes out the force at second.”

    huh? Doesn’t Branyan successfully making it take out the force at second too? I was talking about the team pitching. Indifference makes no sense for them, especially in this case. At least try to throw him out. In this case, given Branyan isn’t exactly speedy, they probably get him and the game is over. Instead they allow him to take second and give Lopez a chance to tie it.

    It didn’t end up hurting Texas in the end in this case, but I just think letting someone have an extra base when you probably could have gained an extra out by throwing him out is silly. Often on defensive indifference the runner also isn’t running that hard as they expect the other team to let them have the base in those cases. To me when you see a potential out, you take it, even if you have the lead and that run by itself means nothing.

  16. bilbo27 on July 10th, 2009 10:17 pm

    “it’s not just making the throw it’s also taking one of your middle infielders out of position t if the ball is put in play.”

    That’s valid, however you could easily make the argument that that also might take the infielder to the ball if it’s hit up the middle (where they wouldn’t have got to had they not already been running towards there). It all really depends on where the ball is hit.

    In this case with a slow runner who doesn’t expect a throw however, you pretty much guarantee an out if the person covering second catches the ball. So then game over and no more potential tieing run at the plate.

  17. Scottdids on July 10th, 2009 10:17 pm

    Why, why, why does Wak NEVER pinch hit for Cedeno? I’d rather see Woodward bat in the eighth and save Shelton for Cedeno in the ninth. Why is he so in love with this guy?

    In Wak’s defense on this one, I think he was trying to get to his one power bat on the bench in a situation where he could tie the game with a home run. Other than tonight I completely agree though.

  18. Kazinski on July 10th, 2009 10:21 pm

    Lopez said he told Yuni, ‘maybe you can play in KC the way you used to play here a few years ago.’

    Ouch.

  19. bilbo27 on July 10th, 2009 10:23 pm

    “Lopez said he told Yuni, ‘maybe you can play in KC the way you used to play here a few years ago.’

    Ouch.”

    Wow, that’s tough love from your “best friend” if reports are true. Something Yuni probably needs to hear though.

  20. Kazinski on July 10th, 2009 10:28 pm

    Why, why, why does Wak NEVER pinch hit for Cedeno? I’d rather see Woodward bat in the eighth and save Shelton for Cedeno in the ninth. Why is he so in love with this guy?

    Because that would be plain stupid. You bring up Shelton with a man on and he’s the tieing run, exactly the place for a power hitting pinch hitter. Woodward isn’t going to tie the game with one swing. You take your best shot when it will do you the most good, you don’t save your best pinch hitter for a lower leverage spot.

  21. hidalgo on July 10th, 2009 10:28 pm

    OK. Howzabout Wak runs Shelton out to third in the ninth, bat Wlad for Cedeno, and save Wilson for the chance the score is tied.

  22. juneau_fan on July 10th, 2009 10:30 pm

    I wasn’t really paying attention, but first there was that bit, then Felix yucking it up about how he was going to get Yuni to strike out (I’m sure he will) when he faces him; he’s even told him the pitches.

    These were his two best friends on the team. I’m sure they’re not stupid and saw it coming, but wow.

  23. hidalgo on July 10th, 2009 10:33 pm

    Just a thought. If it’s a no hitter against the Padres should it really count as a no-no?

  24. mrw88 on July 10th, 2009 10:43 pm

    Why isn’t Balentien getting any playing time? Is he a possible trade chip or have they just lost all faith in him?

  25. 95Ms on July 10th, 2009 10:46 pm

    hidalgo, i was thinking the same thing! I say it counts, but only the same as maybe a 6 inninng rain-delayed one (ala Meche’s 5 inning one). Everyone knows the 2/3rd Padres Rule, duh!!

    On the whole, I haven’t questioned Wak’s pitching moves much at all. I think he’s done a great job this year with that (no exaggeration)! But, tonight, I esp. didn’t understand pulling Brandon. 74, really? It’s not even close to full. But, whatever. I’ll give Wak a pass since he seems to be doing such a great job this year.

    Time to rock and roll tom and Sun and get the 3-1 series.

  26. tomas on July 10th, 2009 11:43 pm

    Ugh. It’s starting to look like we need to clear out all of the Bavasi stink, Morrow included

  27. wrob4343 on July 11th, 2009 12:04 am

    Ugh. It’s starting to look like we need to clear out all of the Bavasi stink, Morrow included

    You may just tad bit ahead of yourself on that one…

  28. Double Suicide Squeeze on July 11th, 2009 12:53 am

    Now that Yuni is gone, who will be Silva’s 4th meal wingman?

  29. Jeff Nye on July 11th, 2009 10:35 am

    Why isn’t Balentien getting any playing time? Is he a possible trade chip or have they just lost all faith in him?

    Because he’s not very good, would be my theory.

  30. finndawg on July 11th, 2009 11:06 am

    Okay, I know I’m not exactly the president of the Morrow Fan Club, but what do we do with him? He got hammered again tonight and was erratic. He doesn’t have the head to be a closer, so what do we do? Trade him? Make him an expensive long reliever? What the F&%$ do we do with him!!

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