Game 124, Mariners at Rangers
LHP Jamie Moyer vs. RHP Chris Young, 5:05pm, FSN and KOMO.
Also known as, “Killing time until King Felix starts again.” It’s funny because it’s true.
RF Ichiro!
2B The Ignitor
LF Ibanez
1B Sexson
3B Beltre
CF Reed
“DH” Dobbs (it worked last time)
SS Betancourt
C Joe Jessica
Wee Willie still doesn’t get his much-needed day off. One of these days the poor kid is going to collapse under the pressure of carrying the team on his back these last six weeks. He’s hitting “right around .333” during this stretch, eh Ron?
Game 121, Mariners at Twins
RHP Meche v RHP Silva, 5:05.
This is going to be an ugly game. Remember when Melvin was perhaps a bit fixated on running out only five starters out all year? Meche wore down badly as the season went on, he got shuffled a little but never got the rest even a casual observer knew he needed… that’s a lot like things right now. Meche’s arm isn’t right, he’s fighting soreness and inflammation, and they’re running him out there over and over to get rocked.
I don’t think Jeff Harris is any great shakes, but if after tonight’s game you don’t agree that he should have stuck around while Meche got some time off until he could pitch effectively (and I know, maybe that’s never), well, I don’t know what happened but hopefully it’s a pleasant surprise.
Bloomquist remains in the 2-hole:
Ichiro RF-L
Bloomquist 2B-R
Ibanez LF-L
Sexson 1B-R
Beltre 3B-R
Reed CF-L
Morse DH-R
Betancourt SS-R
Torrealba C-R
Bloomquist isn’t hot anymore, skip. It was fun while it lasted, but it’s time to move on. He’s 19-68 in August so far (.279/.286/.353) and .269/.303/.341 on the year. It’a a modest average without enough walks or punch to make him an effective hitter. An AL #2 hitter averages .271/.326/.396.
Game 120, Mariners at Twins
5:05. Ryan Franklin v Joe Mays in a matchup of… of… who cares?
Ignitor’s at second, batting second. Ibanez in left, Morse is the DH while Betancourt plays short again. Ojeda makes his first appearance as a Mariner.
Goodbye, three game winning streak, it was nice knowing you. Come back and say hi sometime, okay?
If you’ve got the MLB Extra Innings package, Zach Duke’s mowing down the Mets.
Game 119, Royals at Mariners
Jamie Moyer takes the hill in an afternoon game as the M’s try to sweep the Royals and hand them their 18th consecutive loss. Good God, they’re terrible.
Game 118, Royals at Mariners
RHP Zach Greinke (gr-EI-nke, commenters) v RHP Joel Pineiro (pin-EI-ro, commenters).
The Royals have lost 16 games in a row. Joel Pineiro, with the new hands-up motion (quick, how many times does that get mentioned in the broadcast), has had a couple decent starts in a row, leading to an encore presentation of “is he back?” arguments.
Bloomquist bats second, Morse goes to DH, and the insane-fielding Betancourt plays short again. The Royals counter with… bleaacchhhh. If Pineiro’s looking to rack up a decent start without Felix’s stuff, this is a good time to do it. You cleared waivers! Make daddy proud so he can find you a new home.
Game 117, Royals at Mariners
RHP Runelvys Hernandez vs. RHP “King” Felix Hernandez, 7:05pm. FSN & KOMO.
When these two Hernandezes (or is that Hernandi?) get together, you may as well throw out the record books — they flatout do not like each other.
Runelvys, who I still think of as a “young pitcher” despite that we’re the same age, is eight years older than Felix. When he was Felix’s age, he hadn’t even signed his first professional contract with the Royals yet. Think about that. After signing in December 1997, he spent three years in the Dominican Summer League before breaking into full season ball in 2001, at the age of 23. By the time Felix turns 23, he’ll probably have 50 big league wins under his belt.
RF Ichiro
3B The Ignitor
LF Ibanez
1B Sexson
DH Beltre
CF Reed
SS Morse
2B Betancourt
C Torrealba
One of the weirdest lineups of the season, for reasons we’re beating to death in the comments.
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Game 116, Angels at Mariners
Today’s lineup:
I. Suzuki RF
W. Bloomquist 2B
R. Ibanez LF
R. Sexson 1B
A. Beltre 3B
J. Reed CF
Y. Betancourt SS
S. Spiezio DH
Y. Torrealba C
I offer you, gentle reader, the Top Ten Reasons I Am Glad Scott Spiezio Is Our Designated Hitter.
10. Successive 0s in box score offer zen-like relaxation effect
9. Lulls Angels into false sense of security, distracting them from Thunderstick Yorvit
8. Gives hope to all minor leaguers that they, too, can fail to hit Eddie Gaedel’s weight and yet keep a job in the show
7. Sets stage for Krispy Kreme stock rebound as all Mariners begin to do the opposite of Spiezio’s routine
6. Increases likelihood of Ichiro teaching teammates Japanese synonyms for “suck”
5. If Betancourt gets a knock, no one can say “of course he’s getting pitches to hit, Spiezio‘s protecting him”
4. Keeps him in running for “worst facial hair by a regular major leaguer” award
3. Raises possibility of a Mariner using a Babe Ruth replica bat in a game
2. Sets stage for his new career: Jared Fogle’s personal trainer
1. Showcases him for inevitable trade to Padres
Game 115, Angels at Mariners
While bemoaning the fate of Doyle, consider reading this article, which raises profound questions about the nature of karma in an unjust universe. Also consider blaming Evil Rick Rizzs.
The debate camp went great, thanks for asking, and supreme gratitude to all those who donated. Also, thanks to everyone at the blog for holding it down while I was gone. Today, the triumphant return of Ryan “Roider” Franklin comes against Bartolo Colon.
Fun fact about your Designated Hitter, Scott Spiezio: Ichiro has more than 40 multi-hit games this season. That means, more than 40 times, Ichiro has equalled Spiezio’s season hit total (two) in one game.
Game 114, Angels at Mariners
LHP Jarrod Washburn v LHP Jamie Moyer. 7:05.
I don’t understand how the Angels were able to change their name so quickly and have everyone accept it. If the Mariners were tomorrow to change their name to the New York Mariners of Seattle, would we really see NYS on the scoreboards the next day?
Your Doyle-less lineup:
Ichiro, RF-L
Bloomquist, Ignitor/2B-R
Ibanez, LF-L
Sexson, 1B-R
Beltre, 3B-R
Reed, CF-L
Betancourt, SS-R
Spiezio, DH-B
Torrealba, C-R
Q: How do you know when you need a new DH?
A: When your DH bats 8th and hits .057
Game 113, Twins at Mariners
Ahhh, would it be that it was next Monday again, and I was posting details about pre-game meeting and beverage intaking (this will happen, by the way… patience).
RHP Brad Radke v RHP Joel Pineiro. 7:05, standard stations.
Hmmm…
Ichiro, RF-L
Bloomquist, team sparkplug/2B-R
Ibanez, DH-L
Sexson, 1B-R
Beltre, 3B-R
Reed, CF-L
Betancourt, SS-R
Snelling, LF-L
Gonzalez, C-R
That’s last night’s lineup exactly, so if anything goes differently, it’s the starter.