Game 67, Giants at Mariners
Kevin Millwood vs. Tim Lincecum, 7:10pm
So, I guess I don’t have to tell you much about tonight’s opposing starter. Obviously, it’s been a struggle for Lincecum this year, with his fastball velocity down about 2 MPH from last year and a strand rate that’s gone from around 78% for his career to 61% this year. You’d say this is the ideal time to face the two-time Cy Young Award winner, but it’s just as easy to turn that around and say that there’s probably no team in baseball Lincecum would rather face than this M’s squad.
Kevin Millwood’s groin injury wasn’t severe enough for a DL stint, so he gets the start for Seattle. We’ll see if the M’s get to use Oliver Perez, or if they still go with Furbush against lefties. Or Luetge. Seriously, how many lefty relievers do you need? This is some weird idee fixe on the part of the front office, and while it’s worked pretty well, I just… hopefully Perez pitches well enough that the M’s feel comfortable stretching out Furbush as a starter again.
In case you missed it, VIctor Sanchez made his US debut for the Everett Aquasox last night, going 6 IP and giving up just 1 R on 2H and 2 BB. Only K’d 4, but got plenty of ground balls. Sanchez is reputed to be rather polished despite his age. He was born in 1995. 1995.
The line-up:
1: Ichiro (RF)
2: Wells (LF)
3: Seager (3B)
4: Montero (C)
5: Saunders (CF)
6: Smoak (1B)
7: Ackley (2B)
8: Jaso (DH)
9: Ryan (SS)
SP: Millwood
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143 Responses to “Game 67, Giants at Mariners”
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Very clutch for Ryan. And Gutierrez put a better swing on the ball than I expected him to. That was a legitimate hit, I think. Just didn’t make sense, given Gutierrez’ recent inactivity, and now he cannot be used for defensive purposes (if tthe game becomes closer).
Ichiro could have really opened this thing up – but oh we’ll. Hard to complain about 7 runs at this point.
“Ichiro just can’t take a walk…don’t get that either….”
You’d think old guys like Ichiro would rather walk than have to run everywhere… Especially if you might have to try to beat out a double play.
A multi-run inning…choking on my water here…
Bats are left in the way all the time. The ump
Usually has time to get them out of the way for plays at the plate, though. Catchers Helmets? Likely incidental. Play on!
(So we traded Adam Jones for a guy named Chiang…)
Anyone else pleased with Montero’s hustle on that ball that got away with the strikeout? I was!
I say Wells is heading for right field next year.
Iwakuma will undoubtedly earn another appearance from his performance tonight. I wonder what month it will be in?
I’ve been impressed with Montero. He seems to learn, and put into practice when he corrects things. Now, if we could teach him to run the bases better!
Atta boy, Ghost
Yes, the net return of trading Jones was “a guy named Chiang” who is now DFA Chiang – not to be confused with PF Chang
He should be (Wells…RF). He’s 27 and his peak years are coming up. Shame to waste them. He’s basically what we got for Fister, if I’m not mistaken. There were some other throw ins (Furbush), but Wells came over as a bona fide 4th OFer from Detroit ( at 25 years old.). He’s 5-tool and has been overlooked. IMO.
Double digit hits tonight as well….I’m not sure I can handle this.
Montero can flat out hit! Isn’t that three multiple hit games in a row?
Technically, Bedard signed as a free agent last year before we traded him.
The 2012 Mariners. Can look oh so bad or oh so full of potential. I try to remember these games and look forward to the future rather than get upset at the losing streaks.
“Smoak stinks, yeah yeah” …
Can you please put that to the “Love Stinks” beat and burn a disc for us, Mr Z?
Copyright goes to J Geils … Circa – when I was much younger.
That’s like the 20th fast ball Smoak has popped up this month. I’m unconvinced that he can hit major league pitching. Really hapless. Can’t really see a mechanical flaw. Just not a quick enough bat. Wish I was wrong. Maybe it’s his stride. You’d think Chamblis would see something by now. 250 AB’s???
Furbush looking good.
Smoak stinks, Smoak harms, Smoak swings, his arms!
Any ball, Smoak’s touched, comes back, to hurt us,
… okay that’s enough of that.
How can Blowers answer a question about the difference between a 2-seam and a 4-seam fastball without once mentioning the actual seams and how they are gripped? I know he knows. But he’s supposed to be a broadcast analyst now. One rises, one sinks. OK, but why? And how? What does the pitcher do with his grip? Isn’t that part of an answer. (Of course it is.). Do these guys consult with anyone after their broadcasts. Speak up, Mr. Krueger.
Wow! Ackley takes strike three….shocking!!!
You missed your calling, Westy.
My wife tells me the song came out in 1980. I remember when it was newly released. Damn
I know I grew up back then… but that wasn’t exactly the golden age of music.
Unfortunately I still have that guy’s awful, nasally voice burned into my memory.
Ryan! Then, Ryan.
“Ryan! Then, Ryan.” That made me laugh…
Since no pitch falling downward from an elevated position while simultaneously losing speed – can rise – I think blowers might disagree with you … If not beaten to the punch by every physical scientist.
I know, I know “it” is the vernacular, but it is also a physical impossibility.
I do agree that an analyst should explain it and not just assume that people know what it is, or isn’t
I love totally non-dramatic, totally easy saves. Of course, our opponents are usually the ones getting them, but it’s nice when it’s us. Good job, bartender.
A 6 pitch save…nice. Good win. Nice to see some offense…
MsFan…
That was the FIRST record I ever bought… “Love Stinks” by J.Geils Band (when they were good)…
(I just got back from putting the kids to bed, was afraid to look at the scoreboard… but we WON!)
Westy, don’t quit the day job, OK?
Wilhemsen should pick up on the AC/DC closer music, and take the field to:
“Have a Drink on Me!” – AC/DC
Okay, okay…
I bought “Love Stinks” and Kiss “Alive” on the same day, so it was 1/2 of the 1st records I ever bought.
“Just Can’t Wait” is a great tune by J.Geils…
Hehehe nvn8vbryce. No worries there!
Let’s see… J. Geils Band reference, AC/DC reference, KISS, talk about buying “records” – we’re really dating ourselves.
I am not sure what specialization you have within the music business, MrZ – but you must know people who could put together a “Smoak stinks” montage with a chorus of ‘move the fences in’.
I will pay big bucks for it. Westy can act as my closing agent. He lives up there – closer to you.
Please advise …
Some of us only heard about Woodstock, Westy. We did not actually experience it, like you did.
I assume this comment will doom the idea of you acting as my closing agent, now.
Hey, Krueger found the hair dye. Nothing better than a 50 year old face with 20 year old hair. Very natural looking. He did mention Edgie Feigner, though and along the lines of a ball that rose as it approached the plate- his might have. I saw him when I was 12 and he was last his prime, but that mother could still hick the melon. 5 on 9 softball. It was pretty cool to witness
“I think the large number of innings on a small frame is probably catching up to Lincecum this year”
Pitch location, selection and timing isnt determined by this.
“past”
“huck” the melon.
Freakin iPhone
That’s as though Woody Woodward would have said “I told you his back wouldn’t hold up” when Randy finally retired.
Summer of Love, baby! Summer of Love!
Unfortunately I was only 8 at the time…
I really think its time for our OF to have Saunders, Franklin, and Wells from left to right. This idea is probably too radical for the M’s, but it’s the best baseball decision.
Ichi is just not a productive player anymore. A singles hitter who hits .260+ who does not draw walks does not help this team. Let alone as the leadoff man with the most AB’s. Aside from the unholy bats of Olivo, Ryan, and Figgins, he is perhaps the worst bat on the team…
Ichi is just not a productive player anymore.
Yes, because all the value any player generates is on offense. This is why teams should play Prince Fielder at shortstop, since he would be an awesome hitter at short.
If, however, we get past the idea of DINGERS!!!1111! and offense as the sole source of player value, and we actually look at, well, value to the team (plate+defense+baserunning), we find that Baseball Reference and Fangraphs have Ichiro at 1.6 WAR (wins over replacement), and among the team leaders in the position players (second and third, respectively).
I’m going to keep saying this until I’m blue in the face or until it’s no longer true any more, because it bears repeating any time some one says Ichiro’s the problem: he’s not the problem with this team. He isn’t as good as he was, but that’s to be expected for a 38 year old, especially given that offense is down across the league from where it was in the early 00’s (so you’re comparing him to himself in an era where runs were easier to come by). The M’s probably shouldn’t be paying him $18 million to come back next year (and in fact it’s hard to see how he fits into next year’s team without a huge pay cut and year-to-year contract, which might not work given that he probably can land a better deal in Japan). But he is not the problem with the 2012 Mariners- a player who is contributing around 3 WAR to a team at a position (on an annualized basis) is not a problem. So stop making him the problem.
Aside from the unholy bats of Olivo, Ryan, and Figgins, he is perhaps the worst bat on the team…
Justin Smoak says hi. But hey, he’s a 25 year old lead footed 1B who is hitting worse than Ichiro. I’m sure playing him at 1B is OK, right? He does hit the occasional dinger.
I was hoping you would chime in regarding the Ichiro comment, Eponymous … Because I knew you would do a better job with it than I could have.
And, you did.
And, you are right.
Epon,
You have some excellent points but i fear mine were misunderstood. I am not ragging Ichiro, only the .285 OBP being placed in the lineup spot with the most ABs. Ichiro is not heads and shoulders above Wells defensively right now. Check the past year in fangraphs. I would argue he is certainly inferior offensively though.
And “dingers” really? Im not asking for home runs but you need at least one or more of walks, extra bases, or average to be a productive hitter. Ichiro has none and doea not seem close to getting his average back with declining footspeed and progressively weaker contact.
The day a team worries about moving a players lineup spot for fear of hurt feelings is the day they lose my respect.
Move him down or move him out. Its time to build. Not remember.
Also I forgot about Smoak, but lets stop with the “he says hi” and all the “Gotchyas!” and “booyas!” on these comments. Its very troll-like and intended to embarrass its recipient.