What A Game
Now that was fun. Lots of good news coming out of this one. Brett Lorin continues to pitch like an ace, moving to 3-0 with a complete game shutout. No, he can’t keep his ERA at 1.00 forever, but let’s enjoy it while it lasts. He’s making it easy for the hitters with the way he’s throwing.
Speaking of hitters, Denny Almonte continues to make a monstrous statement. 2 for 4, a couple of doubles and a walk leaves him with a .310/.367/.670 line for the season. Nothing like having a switch-hitter with some serious power in the line-up.
This win pulls us within half a game of first place Kane County, and with the way this team is pitching, you have to think this could be a really fun year for the boys in Clinton.
Oh, wait, you were expecting us to talk about the game in Minnesota? Why would we want to do that?
Hahaha. Thanks for making me smile through these times.
Didn’t have to worry about righty vs lefty match-ups in that ‘other’ game, or for that matter bunts.
It’s a good thing I’m a real fan of dry humor…you and DMZ could wind up being contemporary masters. In a day filled with ‘meh’ (and sorry for any trademark infringement), thanks for the grin.
By the way, not that it matters to the Mariners, but Stephen Strasburg threw a no-hitter tonight. Struck out 17 of the 28 batters he faced. Just two walks kept him from a perfect game.
His season line is now 87 1/3 IP, 1.24 ERA, 48 H, 17 BB, 164 K.
Dave, is there any promise in this 24 year old catcher named Travis Howell? I’d hope he’s a strong defender, at least, because he had no bat during his dreadful college career (~.650 OPS). But he had a .288/.395/.411 line in his first fifty minor league games in 2008 (in Everett) and has a monstrous .308/.418/.635 line in 16 games for Clinton this year. This might be the smoke and mirrors of a guy who’s old for his league, but such if he changed something fundamental in his swing or approach (or got eye surgery or something), maybe his transformation from college to today might actually hold some promise for the future. You heard anything one way or the other?
Damn team couldn’t lose 102 games? Really?
[long link, off topic, and doesn’t even have anything to do with the Mariners]
Dave, do you think that this current situation makes them any more likely to do any of the moves you have been calling for? I can’t see any reason for Batista to still be here next week. Looks like the A’s found a use for Adam Kennedy that the M’s couldn’t.
God, this guy is…..not human.
What does the opposing team’s manager say before a Strasburg start? I mean, how can he possibly convince his hitters that they’ll look like anything but Little Leaguers that night?
Opposing manager: “Well boys, looks like we’re going up against Strasburg tonight. Now, I know he’s tough, and will likely leave you in tears by night’s end, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go out there and give our best effort!”
Hitter A: (snigger)
Hitter B: “You are truly a fine jester, coach.”
Hitter C: “Can we just forfeit this game and hit the bar early, so we can preserve our dignity and won’t risk bringing further dishonor upon our family names?”
Jumping ship already?
Passive-aggressiveness is not your strong suit, USSM — keep up the optimism. Leave the bemoaning to us average Joes…
Pete Incaviglia played like a non-homo sapien during his 1985 season at Oklahoma State–48 HR and 143 RBI in 75 games. Curious to see how Strasburg fares in the bigs.
You think that’s passive aggressive? Wow.
Ugh, what the heck is going on today? I know it was a depressing game, guys, but post smarter.
Right, because Dave and Derek are not allowed to bemoan their favorite team when it plays like shite.
Hopefully Felix and Bedard will right the ship.
Guys! Guys! (And Lauren, token chick), remember, 1993! 1993! We’re going to have stinkers like this one! We’re a .500 ballclub! This isn’t 1995’s 11 games over .500 (maybe 10, I think that includes the one game playoff) team. We’re regressing to the mean. Somebody once described our 1997 division winners as a .500 ballclub that had a 20-8 June.Just remember, Bavasi is in Cincinnati where, unless he has tremendous telekenetic powers, he can’t hurt us anymore except for his legacies. Relax. It could be worse. It could be December.
Free Ramon Vazquez, he could play here as much as he does in Pittsburgh and he is better than Cedeno.
So how much truth was in this post? Are you actually starting to view Almonte as a prospect? It’s still early, but his Ks are pretty high so far (30%). Of course I’ve read that he’s shown decent patience so far too (8.2% walks), which is always a plus. And really, neither of those sound too wild for a kid that turns 20 in September. I’ve also read that he really shouldn’t be a switch hitter and while his on base percentage against lefties seems to support this, he certainly seems to have power from both sides (.242/.265/.576). What do you guys think? Can he turn his athleticism into a major league career?
And how bout Brett Lorin? I remember you guys saying he had the stuff to be a big league closer when he was drafted, but has your opinion changed at all since then? Could he be a number three starer? Sure, the .184 BABIP is a joke, but 25.8% Ks and 4.5% walks seem more than a little badass. 48% groundballs doesn’t seem too bad either.
I guess as long as I’m asking for your opinion on prospects, I might as well get this out of the way. I’ve been wondering, should we read anything into Ezequial Carrera’s Rickey Henderson impression? Is there much of a chance that he has enough on base skill to be a major league regular or is he Endy Chavez?
There’s nothing like the view from The Cheap Seats. Thanks for the bright spot, Dave.
DA, Jay Yencich talked about that a bit in the comments here.
That was Oakland’s fault. I blame Beane.
Anyway, as amazing a talent as Strasburg might be, he’s just one guy. And he’s a pitcher at that. I’d rather hang my hopes on a first round pick that (a) plays every day, and (b) doesn’t have the same risk his arm might fall off.
How about “taking a breather” and drawing attention to something notable us “average Joes” would probably overlook. In other words, continuing to do what USSM has always done (and continuing to be misunderstood / misconstrued, too).
What? Are you accusing Dave of lying?
And actually, he could even help, if they’re dumb enough to listen to him (and they were, after all, dumb enough to hire him). Trade with the Reds! Trade with the Reds!
Listen, Baker likes to talk about judging the team in 10 game segments. It’s equivalent to one game in an NFL season. We just went 3-7. Thats like the seahawks losing one out of 16 games, something like a 42-21 loss. Not the end of the world.
We start the next block (or “game”) against Minnesota, with The King and The Interview each getting two turns in said block.
Minnesota x2, Texas x3, Boston x3, Angels x2.
THEN:
Angels x2, San Fran x3, Oak x3, Angels x2.
There’s a ten game homestand sandwiched in those two blocks also. So let’s not jump off the ledge yet, let’s try to win these next two “games.” 6-4 in each would give us a 27-23 record, which I would do backflips for….
Happy Felix Day, GET LOOSE, Mariners!!!!
I would recommend something like Betancourt for Volquez, but I know a certain Reds fan that would be very upset with me!
Great! I’m moving from Bakersfield, CA, where I watched Triunfel and the rest of the High Desert boys play on the road the last few years, to Bettendorf, IA, in July…I’ll be 45 minutes away from the home team…
Uh, no. I’m accusing him of joking which he was obviously doing at least to some extent.