Game 28, Twins at Mariners

Dave · May 4, 2012 at 3:15 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

Vargas vs Pavano, 7:10 pm.

You could feel this coming. With Chone Figgins showing that his problems had nothing to do with where he hit in the line-up (please learn from this, media), it appears that the plug has been pulled on the Chone Figgins, Leadoff Hitter experiment. Despite facing a right-hander, Figgins isn’t in the line-up tonight, having been replaced by Mike Carp in left field. Jesus Montero is behind the plate again, with Alex Liddi playing third and Kyle Seager at DH. For those that care about batting order, Ackley moved up to the first spot and will be followed by Liddi, but we just had a big lesson in how unimportant batting order actually is, and it’d be really great if everyone could just realize that who plays each night is far more important than where they hit.

Ackley, 2B
Liddi, 3B
Ichiro, RF
Montero, C
Seager, DH
Smoak, 1B
Carp, DH
Saunders, CF
Ryan, SS

Comments

197 Responses to “Game 28, Twins at Mariners”

  1. marc w on May 4th, 2012 9:39 pm

    I thought the Twins suspended players for “showboating” or “cock of the walk-ism” for throwing 92+.

    Glen Perkins FB velo in 2009: 90.
    Glen Perkins FB velo in 2012: 95.

    I know, I know, he was a starter, then a reliever, but I’m stunned by that. You could make Vargas a reliever, and if he averaged 95-96, I’ll eat my hat.

  2. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:39 pm

    Particle board bats … Nice!!!

  3. terryoftacoma on May 4th, 2012 9:40 pm

    You have to admit this team is inventive. They keep finding news way to play the game.

  4. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 9:41 pm

    Sorry guys, I didn’t mean to jinx us by worrying how many runs we needed to survive the bullpen back in the 5th inning… Did a little work, then come back to find 3 runs for the enemy. Damn.

  5. marc w on May 4th, 2012 9:42 pm

    So the Rainiers had a 9-6 lead in the 8th, and Cesar Jimenez and Oliver Perez have combined to allow 5 runs (so far) and it’s now 11-7. Grand slam off of Perez. It’s the same thing as the M’s game, just with bigger numbers.

  6. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:42 pm

    Is Mr Z still switch rooting … or alternate watching. Come on z – we need the luck of the Irish from you – in that vein.

  7. terryoftacoma on May 4th, 2012 9:44 pm

    Just once I’d like a 1-2-3 inning out Mr League.

  8. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:44 pm

    Sorry Z – you re-appeared as I typed

  9. Mid80sRighty on May 4th, 2012 9:45 pm

    What was the line from Major League when Vaughn set the record for wild pitches in an inning? Thought you had to do something good to be a celebrity…not if you do it colorfully? That’s the M’s

  10. marc w on May 4th, 2012 9:46 pm

    whoops, just saw your question, msfanmike –
    Catricala is 1-4, with a single.

  11. terryoftacoma on May 4th, 2012 9:47 pm

    Colorful that’s what they are!

  12. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 9:47 pm

    Mike-
    I’m Scottish, which allows me to point out that “luck of the Irish” has been interspersed with a LOT of very unlucky times as well… There’s a famine metaphor in there somewhere that applies to the Mariners during various weeks of the season. Probably a “lots of boiled white potatoes” metaphor too– (ie, boring bland white baseball players).

  13. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:49 pm

    I know you are Scottish. I was “switch noticing” you.

  14. terryoftacoma on May 4th, 2012 9:50 pm

    This is by far not the worse team I’ve every seen. I watched Casey’s Mets and wondered myself can anybody play this game.

  15. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 9:51 pm

    Ahh… I get it. Nicely played, Mike.

  16. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:52 pm

    Thanks Marc.

  17. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 9:52 pm

    Ick, Monty… Sad.

  18. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 9:53 pm

    Terry-
    You didn’t watch the Mariners two years ago?

  19. henryv on May 4th, 2012 9:53 pm

    Potato Famine, Len Bias, Sir Walter Raleigh and Michael Flatley. Not sure about the Luck of the Irish.

  20. Westside guy on May 4th, 2012 9:53 pm

    The Mariners – they cure what ails you!

    (if you are a struggling MLB team)

  21. marc w on May 4th, 2012 9:54 pm

    Catricala up with 2 outs in the 9th….walks.

  22. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:54 pm

    Awesome game. Top five pick in 2013 is looking like a lock, though.

  23. TherzAlwaysHope on May 4th, 2012 9:54 pm

    Yet another one they should have won!

  24. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 9:55 pm

    I think Wedge might have a LOT of benching to do tomorrow. Sad stuff, fellas. And from what Marc tells us, we can’t call up the Rainiers to take their place either, we’ll just get the same results.

    Get Jackson’s team on a plane… Charter a flight?

  25. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:55 pm

    Any chance this team was saving up some runs for Felix tomorrow,

  26. terryoftacoma on May 4th, 2012 9:55 pm

    The Mets were worse way worse. A reporter once asked Casey how he felt about winning, IO think it was 42 games. His anser.. Priceless .. We were lucky.

  27. Mid80sRighty on May 4th, 2012 9:57 pm

    Gah, in a way this team is more frustrating to watch than last year’s team. They’re going to show some talent and have a winning streak and then they’re going to turn right around and go on a 7 game losing streak. Hopefully, in the end they’re around .500.

  28. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 9:57 pm

    Hey watching replays of the last couple innings, Liddi made a beauty of a barehand play on that bunt. That’s a good sign.

    Go, Alex.

  29. marc w on May 4th, 2012 9:59 pm

    Rainiers lose 11-7 after the bullpen blows a late lead. High Desert loses 6-5 after bullpen blows a late lead. M’s lose 3-2 after bullpen blows a late lead. Clinton got shut out.
    Jackson won easily, because they’re show-offs.

  30. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 9:59 pm

    John McKay ( original Tampa bay football coach) when asked how he felt about his teams execution:

    “I’m in favor of it”.

  31. Mid80sRighty on May 4th, 2012 10:00 pm

    That’s why I skipped getting an M’s hat this year, MrZ, and got a Generals cap instead.

  32. Westside guy on May 4th, 2012 10:00 pm

    I find this team more watchable than last year’s… but I agree they can still be *very* frustrating to watch right now.

  33. terryoftacoma on May 4th, 2012 10:00 pm

    You think there’s a pattern there Marc? haha

  34. MrZDevotee on May 4th, 2012 10:01 pm

    Mid80s,
    I think you nailed it… I want to temper my enthusiasm, knowing full well this is still “rebuilding”, but they’ll do something that suddenly makes me optimistic, and just as quickly pop the balloon.

    There is good stuff happening. Like Montero is looking legit… I have to remind myself how young he is– he’s gonna get better, and he’s batting almost .300 right now. The threesome in Jackson. Liddi is surprising us… Seager is surprising us. Vargas still defies logic with his success.

    Baby steps, yeah, yeah… But man, I really want to run.

  35. marc w on May 4th, 2012 10:04 pm

    Terryoftacoma – the best quote about a losing team will ALWAYS be John McKay re: the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When asked what he thought about the Bucs execution in one of their losses, he simply said, “I’m in favor of it.”

  36. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 10:04 pm

    Around .500 by the end of the year, hopefully? This team is a lock to lose 88-92 games. If not more. IMO

  37. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 10:07 pm

    Hey Marc, you stealing my material now?

  38. Mid80sRighty on May 4th, 2012 10:08 pm

    Seager doesn’t surprise me, and Vargas is what he is…solid. Montero is a stud. Smoak is frustrating, he’s GOT to tighten up his swing. Ackley will be fine once he stops relying on his talent. Yes, MUCH more watchable then last year, but more frustrating

  39. Mid80sRighty on May 4th, 2012 10:10 pm

    Turn that frown upside down, Mike…have a little hope!

  40. msfanmike on May 4th, 2012 10:11 pm

    Is ROOT going to steal my stuff, next?

  41. terryoftacoma on May 4th, 2012 10:16 pm

    spies are everywhere..

  42. marc w on May 4th, 2012 10:27 pm

    Whoa, holy shit. Just saw that, Mike. Your comment hadn’t appeared when I made mine thanks to the stolid, old-school interface here. Great minds, etc. etc.
    Yes, Root sports will use that (legendary) quote in the next game the M’s make > 2 errors.

  43. UnderTheClouds on May 4th, 2012 11:07 pm

    I hope the M’s get swept by the Twins, because the young players won’t learn anything if they win. Tonight was invaluable for Wilhelmson, for example.

    Instead of debating who had the best game, maybe M’s fans should start asking themselves: “Who learned the most tonight?”

  44. spuuky on May 4th, 2012 11:14 pm

    I know I’m not the first to notice this, but Montero’s splits as C vs as DH are just crazy.

  45. msfanmike on May 5th, 2012 1:44 pm

    @ under the clouds: this isn’t snark. I have a legitimate question for you. I noticed a previous comment of yours from a recent game whereby you said you had “contempt for this team”

    Is your contempt and your hope that they lose, something that occurred recently or have you always had it? I have no answers for how one might resolve “contempt” not will I pretend to try. I am just curious why you would say it ‘here.’

    This org has done a lot of things over the years that can only leave one scratching their head. Was your contempt born from that? Are you just looking to vent? Are you conductin a sociological experiment to see who may reply and in what manner? This is definitely the correct forum for venting, so if that is all it is …… Let loose

  46. justdave on May 5th, 2012 8:44 pm

    Felix is awesome. Does anyone blame him for not looking at scouting reports? He knows how to fool hitters, and any over-thinking of the situation would just hurt him. We are lucky to be witnessing the development of this pitcher who’ll probably go down as one of the best ever.

  47. justdave on May 5th, 2012 8:50 pm

    ^^Oops, sorry! I guess this was a thread for last night’s game. I wondered why it was so negative. 🙂

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