Game 58, Rays at Mariners
Ariel Miranda vs. Erasmo Ramirez, 1:10pm
The M’s completely mishandled Erasmo Ramirez, but saved a modicum of value when they flipped him for Mike Montgomery. Erasmo was out of options, and it looked like the M’s might lose him for nothing, so it was a rare well-executed trade. The problem was that they’d made it necessary in the first place. I thought of that watching Chris Taylor’s grand slam last night. The issue isn’t the trade or a reasonable evaluation of other players at a given position. The problem is squandering a player’s potential.
Erasmo is still a swing man for Tampa, relieving often and then popping into the rotation when needed. And if Alex Cobb’s pitch mix and approach remind me of Hisashi Iwakuma, Erasmo does at least as much. His change is his best pitch, and while it’s not a real splitter-style cambio, they’re clearly in the same family. Erasmo will give up HRs, but the great control he showed in the low minors is finally showing up in the majors. He generates plenty of grounders, and has moderate splits thanks to that good change.
1: Gamel, RF
2: Powell, LF
3: Cano, 2B
4: Cruz, DH
5: Seager, 3B
6: Valencia, 1B
7: Motter, SS
8: Dyson, CF
9: Zunino
SP: Miranda
Boog Powell gets a start today against the org he played for in the minors for several years. Zunino’s 7 RBIs last night get him the rare start in a day game after a night game. Man, this offense just looks different when there’s not an automatic out at the bottom of the order. It’s looked different facing the Rays, in any event.
Andrew Moore leads the minor league pitching probables today. He leads Tacoma in Fresno; the R’s are trying to avoid a sweep. Tyler Herb and Anthony Misiewicz also take the hill. Joe Rizzo had 2 hits last night, and Braden Bishop had a hit and two walks.
I really, really want Mike Z to succeed. I’m also really hoping this recent stretch of success is not entirely BABIP-driven (I made the mistake of looking up his BABIP splits after last night’s game).
Nelson Cruz, ladies and gentleman! Boomstick baby!
Erasmo Ramirez still has a baby face.
GREAT catch by Boog!
Valencia is 9 for his last 9!
Most of us would not have thought that possible, earlier in the season.
Valencia was awful in April, he’s been perfectly fine since then, the 9 straight hits tie a Mariners team record, (Ibañez in 2004).
Let’s see him get 10 for 10…
They’re not dead yet… they think they’ll go for a walk.
Woo hoo! Mariners’ sweep the Rays!
Plenty of room on Zunino Island, I never left. I’m just scared to death i’m going to jinx him.
Awesome to see Miranda pitch well, much less go the full 9 innings wow.
Bittersweet to see Erasmo, agree with Marc that he was yet another mishandled talent.