Game 125, Mariners at Athletics

marc w · August 20, 2013 at 6:55 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

Joe Saunders vs. Sonny Gray, 7:05pm

Sonny Gray, the A’s first-rounder out of Vanderbilt a few years ago, is a short righty who’s faced skepticism about his durability and effectiveness in part because of his height. He’s shown a 95mph fastball and a solid curve. He’s been very effective thus far against lefties and righties thanks largely to his big fastball and solid control. Go lefty line-up:
1:Miller, SS
2: Franklin, 2B
3: Seager, 3B
4: Morales, DH
5: Ibanez, LF
6: Smoak, 1B
7: Morse, RF
8: Saunders, CF
9: Quintero, C
SP: Joe Saunders

The Rainiers game tonight features Taijuan Walker, new 1B Ji-Man Choi, and perfect weather in Tacoma. GO.

Comments

89 Responses to “Game 125, Mariners at Athletics”

  1. Breadbaker on August 20th, 2013 9:26 pm

    I can see Thompson thinking, “you mean I can take the pitcher out before the end of the inning when he’s stinking up the joint? I didn’t know that. Thanks, Bob Melvin.”

  2. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 9:28 pm

    NICKY BOY!

  3. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 9:31 pm

    I could watch Crazy Legs Miller run all day long.

  4. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 9:34 pm

    That had to hurt. For both of them.

  5. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 9:34 pm

    Oh crap.

  6. Breadbaker on August 20th, 2013 9:35 pm

    Nicky finally gets out of his slump and now this. Mariners indeed.

  7. Ralph_Malph on August 20th, 2013 9:37 pm

    What happened?

  8. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 9:40 pm

    Morales hit a chopper up the middle and Franklin ran on contact. Play at the plate with Norris blocking with his left foot, spikes up. Franklin slid by with his right foot touching the plate before Norris could sweep tag him, but slid right into those spikes. Tore a big hole in his pants and probably hurt like hell. Norris hurt something too, which doesn’t bode well for Franklin. Hitting the proverbial brick wall and the wall crumbles too.

  9. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 9:41 pm

    Oh, and it’s his left knee, Ralph, right into the spikes.

    Blowers is hopeful that he’s just gone for a new pair of pants, but there was the writhing, limping, and being helped off the field.

  10. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 9:41 pm

    Nice to see another team imploding, for once.

  11. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 9:42 pm

    Franklin slid hard into home plate just ahead of the tag. The catchers left foot (front spike) caught nick just below the knee. Tore his pant leg and left a gash. Not sure how much blood there was, but I did see some. The catcher also twisted something from the impact of the contact (knee, ankle, hip, groin … Maybe all the above)

  12. Breadbaker on August 20th, 2013 9:44 pm

    There have been few more enjoyable innings to watch all season. Kicking the A’s in Oakland is so much fun. We had two hits before this inning.

  13. californiamariner on August 20th, 2013 9:45 pm

    Hopefully Franklin isn’t seriously hurt. Probably just hurt like hell when he slide right into the cleat of Norris.

    Nice to see another team imploding with passed balls though 🙂

  14. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 9:46 pm

    Good thing, too – with Morse “hitting”

  15. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 9:49 pm

    Ah, the Ryan we know and love. Although it’s probably hard to hit with the impression of pine on your ass.

  16. Eastside Suds on August 20th, 2013 9:52 pm

    If Medina walks this lead off hitter after we just caught up, I’m going ballistic!

  17. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 9:56 pm

    Our heads explode around the nation…

  18. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 9:58 pm

    Bring on Little Lord Farquhar!

  19. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 9:58 pm

    Come back east side!

  20. Eastside Suds on August 20th, 2013 10:01 pm

    Okay….breathe deep, slow the heart rate down, stop throwing things and clean up your language. Whew

  21. Breadbaker on August 20th, 2013 10:01 pm

    Hey, Billy Beane, if you want to upgrade your outfield defense, we could work out a trade for Raul.

  22. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 10:03 pm

    Cespedes has been particularly ham-handed tonight.

  23. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 10:03 pm

    Did Miller actually touch 2B?

  24. juneau_fan on August 20th, 2013 10:04 pm

    Live by the giant outfielder’s glove, die by it.

  25. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 10:04 pm

    We lucked out, but – what’s with the crap baserunning again!?

  26. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 10:06 pm

    Need. Insurance. Run(s).

  27. Eastside Suds on August 20th, 2013 10:07 pm

    I was wondering that myself Mike. I thought on the replay he missed it. Luckily the middle infielders were so befuddled by the throw to second, I don’t think either one saw it.

  28. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 10:10 pm

    At best, the side of his foot might have grazed the back side of the bag, but I doubt the umpire would have been able to tell either way if the A’s had decided to appeal the play.

    The A’s were definitely befuddled, though. You are spot-on about that.

  29. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 10:16 pm

    Bad place for needing stitches if your livelihood depends on running and bending. sounds like Nick is going to be out for a few/several days.

  30. Eastside Suds on August 20th, 2013 10:18 pm

    Yay!!! Good job Mariners. Never a doubt!!

  31. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 10:20 pm

    Well, I would not be surprised if Thompson shares Wedge’s predilections regarding toughness and playing hurt – Franklin may very well be out there tomorrow, even if it impacts his ability to field or hit.

  32. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 10:21 pm

    Truly Grit-a-licious.

  33. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 10:27 pm

    He isn’t playing til the stitches come out. Can’t see it happening. Bad spot for stitches – just below the kneecap. I suppose if they are below the bend of the knee, he could play – but I doubt it.

    They need an infielder to cover for the next few days – or an outfielder to cover for Ackley who will cover 2B for the next few days.

    I had stitches below the kneecap when I was 12 and 14 … and 42 and probably again tomorrow. No way he can play if that is where they are.

  34. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 10:34 pm

    Mike I’m not arguing with you – I’m just thinking about some of the bone-headed player management decisions this team’s made in the name of toughness this season. Wedge has ran guys out there who really shouldn’t have been playing before. Heck, he did it with Franklin once already! And remember Morse and the broken finger?

  35. Breadbaker on August 20th, 2013 10:37 pm

    And of course he’ll probably give us more Ryan-Miller rather than use Ackley at second, even if means benching Saunders so he can play more Raul and Morse. Because Mariners.

  36. msfanmike on August 20th, 2013 10:45 pm

    10-4 Westy. I knew what you meant.

    Nice summary, Bread.

  37. Westside guy on August 20th, 2013 10:48 pm

    I do hope I’m wrong and you’re right though, Mike.

    BTW both Divish and Drayer say he’ll be out 5-7 days, so apparently I’m being needlessly cynical.

  38. casey on August 21st, 2013 8:10 am

    post allstar game splits – small but growing sample sizes

    for M’s outfielders / dh / firstbase options / avg and OPS

    Ackley .321 .772
    Chavez .207 .475
    Ibanez .204 .583
    Morales .308 .796
    Morse .150 .457
    Saunders .272 .881
    Smoak .252 .776

  39. Westside guy on August 21st, 2013 10:31 am

    I still like Morales – hopefully Z will try to bring him back. But I suspect the most likely one Z will pursue is Raul.

    I really, really don’t want to see a repeat of this past offseason… Z, PLEASE only sign one 1B/DH-quality veteran this time!

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