Us
Meta
Reference Material
The Future Forty 3/19/09
Evaluating Defense Evaluating Pitcher Talent
Evaluating Managers
Bugs Bunny, Greatest Banned Player Ever Selected for Best American Sports Writing!
The Attrition WarDisclaimer, Copyright
The U.S.S. Mariner is in no way affiliated with, condoned or given any notice by the Seattle Mariners baseball team, who have their own website. Similarly, we have no association with the ownership group or any businesses related to the Mariners. All article text is written by the authors, all pictures are taken by the authors, who retain copyright to their works. No copying or reproduction of any content here, photographic or otherwise, is authorized. Please email us if you wish to reproduce our work.
Game 130, Angels at Mariners
Santana v Weaver. 7:05. Bloomquist at second to ignite a struggling offense.
Tags:
Comments
462 Responses to “Game 130, Angels at Mariners”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
-
Recent Posts
- Projections, Prospects and Assorted Links
- Running For Cancer Research
- Historical Relationship Between Money And Wins
- Are Lefty Relievers the New Market Inefficiency?
- M’s Sign Shawn Camp Too
- M’s Expected To Sign Hong-Chih Kuo
- On Clubhouse Confidential
- M’s Sign Carlos Guillen
- The Mariners Off-Season Should Not Be Over
- Baseball America Top 10 List Is Out
Author Links
Forums
Local M's Coverage
M's Blogosphere
M's Official Sites
Player Blogs
Resources
Twittah
Willie is awesome at putting down tags on baserunners. We should win now!
Go M’s!
Willie is going to bring the “Boom Boom” stick
McLaren recognizes Lopez’s marginal defensive value over Bloomquist, and decides the best time to rest him is with flyball pitcher Weaver on the mound. He’s finally getting it!
I’m already drinking the rally Fat Tires.
Mac adjusted the lineup… wow.
3 – I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic, but if you aren’t, I think Mac is “resting” Lopez for other reasons. It’s nice that by blind luck it turned out to be a decent situation to do so, however.
Yeah, I’ve been predicting a Lopez rest since the Texas series. Pretty much everybody else in the infield has had one recently. No rest for a weary corner outfielder, however.
I’ve started my Rally Brats and Rally Weinhard’s. Almost playoff baseball in Safeco Field I love it.
Go M’s and Weaver! Never thought I would say that with such importance…
Meaningful baseball on August 28th.. in HD even! Gotta love it..
Go Weaver! Go Ms!
You have to love the HD
Hmmm, where should I go watch the game? If it’s anything like last night, I don’t want to go anywhere. Nothing like feeling the hope drain out of an entire bar full of people to send you staggering out into the night like some angst-ridden emo teen who just had her ipod full of Joy Division run over by a bus.
“not a punitive move at all,” say Niehaus.. his toes must be sore from their time on the party line..
Scrappy defense, Willie.
@#$%^*
Lopez woulda had it. You know it, I know it, everybody knows it.
Gritty leap, there.
Lopez lookin’ mo bettah by the swing.
Can someone interpret the “Cabrera singles on a pop up to second baseman” for us Gameday-ers?
#19 Willie misplayed it and it fell in for a “hit.”
19: Willie happened.
Yeah.. I just saw that too on Gameday
Did Willie miss something he should have gotten, or was it a legitimate bloop?
12 Joy Division? I can’t imagine them still listening to that…the emo crowd isn’t about embracing old music, it’s about whatever is currently popular. At least, that’s my impression from rubbing shoulders with them at the Warped tour in recent years.
oh ok… thx
Wow, Weaver is getting squeezed.
22: He very much badly overran it backing up, and fell down trying to come back and get it.
22- He miss read it, how you miss read a bloop is beyond me. They don’t slice.
strike er out, throw er out
Thanks 20,21.
Hey, good to know Garret Anderson still swings at everything.
Willie should have had them both, no harm though. I am more amazed that I am sitting here in August watching Weaver with confidence in his ability.
Look at the play at third, Beltre just let the tag hang out there and the base runner simply slid into it. Same play as Lopez, different result.
How is Willie’s miss not an error? Doesn’t Helen Keller get that ball?
Beltre knows how to tag..
That is Kenji for you…
Did anyone see that lead by Guerrero before Weaver threw the last pitch? He was halfway to 2nd before it left Weaver’s hand!
There are few things I love more than watching Scioscia Ball fail miserably.
it should have been an error, 100% error…..how these scorers rule some routine plays is beyond me.
ERROR
Scorekeepers tend to award hits for even the most horribly misplayed flyballs as long as it isn’t touched before hitting the ground.
Hello offense!!!! Thanks for coming.
Run Ichiro Run
32: He made it look like a hard play by, you know, falling all over himself. He turned his back on a bloop single instead of just backing up, I guess thinking that “Bloomquist” looks like “Mays” if you squint hard enough.
lol “Split the Red Sea” lol
I assume that was the Ichiro Power Swing.
We have to score here!
Seems to be a pretty good energized crowd.. finally.
I call for a Guillen Special
Let’s go chemistry.
nothing to boost crowd noise like Ervin Santana on the road.
Big inning… blow it open to make up for last night.
Did anybody read Bill Plaschke’s article from the LA Times today? I’d love to shove these next two games right in his face.
Woot!
TURBO WITH THE WHEELS!!!
Thats what we need!
Turbo turns on the jets!
Woo hoo ANGRY Guillen!
Wow, Vidro scores from 1st?
Vidro scores from first, this is nice.
YESS!! Finally some runs!
Turbo scoring from first?? It’s some kind of an omen.
Man, loving those wheels by Vidro… I never thought that would have come out of my keyboard.
50: yeah, that article was inane.
Triple, walk, Double (advance to 3rd on throw), walk… Anyone else seeing a trend?
62- I like this trend.
Suck on it Plaschke
Yes!!! Beltre!!!
God, they’re just destroying Santana’s pitches!
Suck on it Plaschke
Santana brought his A game.
Wow, now we need another walk.
should have been 3 triples.
Anybody having fun yet? Hehehehehehe!!!!
A SEAHAWKS SUPERBOWL??
Hey buddy, Does LA even HAVE a football team?
Wow… I want the Angels to lose more than ever now.
Lunk Blast by Richie there.
What’s the etiquette on running a game up when you were shut out the day before? Hee hee
Go figure: Sexson is the 1st out. AND he doen’t score the runner (although, I think Beltremendous should have scored).
This is what happens with Willie Ballgame in the game, his hustle spreads to the whole team.
Leave it to Sexson to ruin a good thing. For the life of me I have no idea why McLaren doesn’t realize that putting Ibanez at 1st and Jones in LF would be better than Sexson coming to the plate 4 times a night.
Everyone hits except for Richie
Moseley warming up in the bullpen, for folks on gameday…
It looks from Gameday like Santana’s being squeezed a bit as well (cf. 25′s comment regarding Weaver) and the result is lots of fat fastballs.
Of course LA has a football team. I went there for undergraduate.
Wooooooooooooooooooo!
Santana is tossing BP.
Seriously, Richard Karn was throwing better pitches than this.
1/3 of an inning. Woo hoo!
Of course LA has a football team they are called the Trojans.
Santana gone after 1/3. Hee.
Thanks harry…
Here is a situation for Jones.
One or two more runs will end this game… and Jones could come in to give Ibanez or someone a night off once it gets out of hand.
1/3 inn. 5 runs (possibly 6). Weaver must have given him some kind of hex.
P.S. Love the standing O!! Way to be, fans lucky enough to be at the game.
72-Of course LA has a football team they are called the Trojans.
Santana’s gonna have to pitch some serious whoopee in 2008 to repair the damage from this season, assuming he wants the big free agent bucks.
Well, it’s not like Moseley is any better. I see us getting 10+ runs this game.
What a turnaround from last year for Santana. I almost feel bad for him. He’s only 24, tho.
Pretty good pitching there. He just made a couple mistakes…
Hey Hey Hey… GOODBYE!!!
Oh the horror… hahaha
Hey guys… betta Richie feels great right now. He is the only guy Santana got out all night. ;0
so terrifying to an opposing manager, that he pulls his starting pitcher, so as not to damage his psyche forever….
Aww. My compassion is kicking in. I feel bad for Santana, all sad on the bench. However,
YAY M’s!
#94 – Take away a few walks and hits, those 5 runs, and he pitched a pretty good ballgame.
Wear their bullpen out for tomorrow.
Since we are up 5-0, can anyone link that article in the LA Times so i can get a good laugh?
Oh.. I meant a SuperBowl quality team.. not one that choked to the Bruins..
Sorry UofMich
Loren,
Thanks for being the “token chick.”
I know the rest of us are reveling in enjoyment. At least I am.
5 Runs, I still do not feel too safe with Weaver on the mound. (though post-DL Weaver has been decent)
Wait a minute… How can they score Guillen’s hit a double? Is it even possible for Vidro to go from 1st to home on anything less than a triple? I mean we’re talking Laws of Physics here. Aren’t we?
Lol first inning, went through the linup, i bet safeco field is going crazy!
Feel bad for the Angels????
Did they feel bad for us last year, in last place??
How about the year before, when they won the division and we were in last again?
I can never feel badly for the Angels.
101: http://www.latimes.com/sports/columnists/la-sp-plaschke28aug28,1,4234898.column?coll=la-news-columns
http://www.latimes.com/sports/columnists/la-sp-plaschke28aug28,1,4234898.column?coll=la-headlines-sports-columnists&ctrack=5&cset=true
Enjoy.
Bill Plasche can be reached at bill.plasche@latimes.com. I think some (good natured, polite of course; do right by the M’s) correspondence regarding his apparent propensity to jump to inappropriate conclusions might be in order.
99 isn’t manager pitching evaluation wonderful? He didn’t screw up, he just wasn’t perfectly sharp and the M’s hit every mistake he threw.
Nice high fastball there. Gotta step on their throats, and not get complacent.
I don’t feel bad for the ANGELS, but I always feel bad for pitchers when they completely blow it and have to slink back to the dugout.
It’s true, this trait is very “token chick” of me. I’m ok with that.
Ballgame.
.1 4 5 2 0 23 for Santana
So, right now, just for the rest of the season, who is the better starter?
HoRam or Santana?
I don’t feel bad for the ANGELS, but I always feel bad for pitchers when they completely blow it and have to slink back to the dugout.
What if their name is Mesa or “he who shall not be named”? How can you feel any sympathy for those two?
135 ERA, SWEET job Santana!
[Richie]
Mr. Plasche,
I read your recent article regarding the Mariners in their first game of their three game series against the Angels. I found it quite alarming that a prestigious writer such as yourself would blatantly libel a baseball team that is actually quite good. Considering the events of just the first inning of tonight’s game, I feel that an apology is in order.
Feel free to apologize for any premature conclusions you may have made about the Mariners and their team.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ichiro
I hope to God Weaver throws a complete game shut out. Then as a collective fanbase we can email Bill Plasche kindly linking tonight’s box score. Then we can remind him that it was indeed Jeff Weaver, a 2006 throw away pitcher, not John Lackey – 2007 Cy Young contender.
Looks like the good Weaver has showed up tonight. Lots of movement and hitting the corners.
119: a “not” missing in that sentence, perhaps?
That is big. When you put up a big inning you have to hold them scoreless the next inning, from a momentum stand point. We want their dugout thinking, “well if we win tomorrow we still gained ground during this series”, not “hey we got 1 back, keep chipping away.”
72 what’s this?
(119)meant NOT to have a good at bat, sorry
hey, Rick was an athlete, man– wide receiver at Roosevelt
Nevermind, read the article, fuck Bill Plashke.
Damn, two caught looking… and they were good pitches.
You gotta swing at two strike pitches over the plate, boys.
[nope]
Come on guys, don’t stop yet.
Maybe I should go back to Pies and Pints. I missed the first inning.
(Expletive) Bill Plaschke
If the M’s do pull off the AL West I’m gonna fly to Cali from Alaska, find Plaschke, and rub that piece of trash he called a story in his face.
do lets actually win this game before making any big plans.
Is today UPS day or something? 100th anniversary?
#4 me too then!!!!
Hey, cool. It’s radio on the tv!
Nice video feed.
135–Good point.
Dammit. Let’s not snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, here, guys.
My Mom always said if you don’t have anything to say other than “(Expletive) Bill Plaschke”, don’t say anything at all. Isn’t my Mom the greatest?
135- Let’s win this series.
Guillen is back at it…
aaaaaaand they try to give runs back to the Angels …
Now… it is a 4 run game with a runner on 2nd.
If that run scores, then all of a sudden it is a game again.
Blowers wonders if Beltre hurt his thumb on the throw-in from Guillen …
I always expect reggie willits’ at bats to last 10 pitches, god is he annoying.
I thought we were going to have a Bartman there for a second.
Well he’s definitely acting like it bothers him.
*Whew* I can breathe again. I thought that ball was gone on the foul.
I thought Raul Ibanez’ best defensive skill was backing up third base.
There were two mistakes on that play. Weaver threw an 0-2 pitch over the plate and Guillen had no business gunning it to third. He had no shot at him.
Damn, why is MLB.TV blacked out in Salem Oregon?
I can’t resist sending an email already. I pointed out that Santana’s pitching was like the Raiders in the superbowl.
He didn’t even show up.
That’s only no man’s land if Raul is playing right.
Beautiful work Weaver.
I want them to out-do the Rangers tonight. Last night got me so very angry.
I already sent the email I wrote in 120
Its blacked out in Salem Oregon due to FSN being available there and them having the rights to this game.
Ok lets get a few hits here, give weav a lil bit longer break.
160, It worked fine for me in Portland. Sigh.
Hmm if were not goin to get a hit, lets at least try to get his pitch count up so that we can wreck thier pen for tomorrows game.
could we please get a run off of a pitcher not named Erwin?
or as Geoff Baker just christened him, Ervin “Road Kill” Santana?
Why do I have to breathe a sigh of relief when Beltre *doesn’t* swing at the low outside pitch in the dirt? Why can’t I just expect that he won’t?
Since patches are welcome at USSM for the website I highly recommend the following wordpress plugin:
Click!
165- It is the Happy Feet dance he does every time he sees one that he can’t wait to swing and miss at.
Hudler: “The always dangerous Richie Sexson”
Yeah, I guess that’s right, as jogging in a thunderstorm is always dangerous.
Richie continues to impress.
BOOO his ass right out of the lineup!
Ah, it’s the running tree from Lord of the Rings!
And the gentle pitter-patter of boos.
Big Richie has all of 20% more RBI than our #9 hitter, don’t be so hard on him.
That a boy Richie… way to come through
Is there such a thing as an “intentional strikeout”? It might be a good idea for Richie when someone’s on first…
#172
The #9 hitter hasn’t been hovering near the Mendoza Line for most of the season.
I’m in crappy cheap hotel (in Atlanta), with internet… but internet not quite fast enough to handle MLB.tv. Oh well.
That’s right Yuni. You show Raul he has no place in the field. Bad Raul, bad.
Thats right Raul, hang your head in shame as the SS calls you off a fly ball in LF.
175: yeah, I was sort of being sarcastic.
Weaver seems to be doing OK, even though the strikezone is changing shape unpredictably.
Weaver=Spicoli!
!@#%ing Matthews.
Matthews needs to go away for a long time.
Weaver’s only 31? Jeez, talk about being ridden hard and put away wet. I thought weed was supposed to keep a guy youthful, as it, a slacker teenager.
Okay…uh, that wasn’t very nice, Mr. Matthews.
Crap.
This game was a lot more fun a few minutes ago.
Even the usher is walking down to tell the guy to throw it back.
Gary Matthews has just demolished us this year, but he’s still less annoying than about six other guys in that lineup.
This is exactly why people should not get ahead of theirselves just because they scored 5 runs in the first inning. All those cocky remarks are gonna look pretty damn embarassing if the Ms end up losing this one.
On the bright side, the Ms win expectancy is still over 75%, though they are completely hitless so far against Moseley.
As Weaver gave up 2 HR just after I turned on my radio, I claim responsibility for the negative turn of events. I will now turn off the radio. Takin’ one for the team, I am.
Can we please just put these guys away get just a few runs in this inning. Heck I’d settle for one.
Ya know, those of us who’ve already written Plasche are going to be deeply humiliated if the Angels come back and win this thing…
Hey Joh, you have to jump up and down if a catcher is going to body english a ball to stay fair. Someone send him a tape of Fisk.
#191-especially if you can’t even spell his name.
So, when do we get to see Broussard in the game. Richie has the only out against the very hittable Santana, and a GIDP. Typical, in other words.
What the hell was that? Why a hit and run with Grit at-bat?
Swinging pitchout? I’ve never even seen that on gameday before
194 – does the ensuing groundball out answer your question?
That inning took a turn for the worse really quickly there.
#195
It was a hit and run. Willie had to try and put the bat on the ball to save Johjima.
I bet Angel fans are wishing they woulda just started Moseley…
It appears that Moseley’s going to throw an 8 2/3-inning shutout, and Ervin Santana will be even more ashamed.
this guy is pitching pretty well, im suprised he’s not a starter.
As painful as this is to watch for most of you, if you aren’t listening to Physioc/Hudler, you still have a lot to be thankful for.
#201
Apparently the Angels have HoRam syndrome when it comes to Santana.
Hmm.
M’s never seem to do well against pitchers they haven’t seen or weren’t expecting.
No bad Weaver tonight… get it together spicoli
I hope McLaren has Weaver on a short leash right now, the Angels are starting to see through the smoke and mirrors.
I wish our number 9 was 2 for 2 or even our number 8
198, You have to wonder if the angels weren’t stealing signs there
208- I bet the Angels wish they were up 5-3.
Nice red bat, Reggie. I didn’t think you could get any more obnoxious.
If the run scores, I want Weaver out.
210- I wish the M’s were up 5-3 still.
The shiny has worn off the game already. We gotta score some more runs.
TAKE HIM OUT!
Time to pull Weaver
Can we just put the batting practice pitching machine on the mound every 5 days?
Please tell me someone is warming up in the bullpen.
WE goes back to 50%….
O’Flaherty is coming in.
I don’t know how many times over the years I’ve seen the M’s score a bunch of runs, knock the pitcher out, then post a big fat 0 against long relief after.
Thank god. Weaver was obviously going to keep hemorrhaging runs until it was too late.
Can someone, anyone, find a reporter who is willing to shout at Mac during a press conferance and ask him – sternly and with the clear intent that they think he’s dumb – why he continues to play the worst-hitting everyday 1st baseman in baseball while a perfectly good, starter quality, power-hitting first baseman rides the bench?
Or better yet – ask him if he blindly believes that the status of “veteran” means players no longer have to earn their position and can “coast” and “play crappy” (those quotes must be demonstrated with hand motions) and still keep their position…
ARGH!
Jeez.
I wonder if the rationale of keeping Weaver in was largely to get him 5 so he could get the W. If so… it didn’t exactly work.
For anybody watching, did the M’s get hosed on that call?
He was out! These goddamn umps.
226 – It looked like it.
Yeah, the M’s got hosed. Vlad was out at third.
We bailed the ump out.
god dammit i thought i was going ot have a worry free night.
Take away the first 1/3 inning of the ball game, and we’re behind 5 to nothing.
Bullpen vs. bullpen. Statistically, I think the M’s should win this one…
Right?
This has got to be the best umpiring crew we have seen all year or at least everyone in Anaheim thinks so.
Well, time for me to go get rally beer. Or “god damn it, why did they lose” beer.
Thanks for freezing during the argument and replays there MLB.tv!! (Expletive) MLB.tv!
I think he was safe, delays by Ichiro and then Sexson kind of doomed the play.
234, don’t you mean “Los Angeles of Anaheim”?
#217
We do and his name is Horacio Ramirez.
welp, time to hit (not hit and run)
Man, it’s like last night’s M’s showed up, after the first inning.
Hey FSN, I know you’re trying to be artistic, but I’d like to watch the game instead of your clever angles.
I hate to say it…but I think the M’s have lost this game now. I know it’s still early and still tied…but COME ON!!! The Angels spot you 5 in the first and you let them come back little by little to tie it up! Being shut down since the 5 spot? They showed their inexperience by letting up and thinking they had the game won.
That’s just wrong!
That announcement sounded like they were saying “Jose Lima.”
Hell, maybe we could use him.
I have a question for you guys. I’m a little weirded out… I’m watching the game…and my daughter needs to be changed. So I’m changing her… and my phone rings. Obviously I can’t get to my house phone. I check the caller ID, and I got a call from… Bell, David. Wha? Ok, I’m weirded out. I don’t know any Bells. Um… The only Mariner I have ever met in person is David Bell…but he wouldn’t know my number. Ok, seriously guys… what the world?
You guys know Mariners aint scoring anymore runs right?
This team has no heart Id say final Score Angels 10-5
The offense has gone stagnant again. Fantastic.
Also: the future we’re building to is apparently “Super Mario 17: Jamaica!”
I wish Jones played enough that he could be the subject of the Banner Bank Building to the Future.
LET THE SEASON ENDING MELTDOWN BEGIN
OK, Lauren, you rock… I was trying to come up with a line related to the music, but couldn’t.
Now we see what they’re made of. Let’s see how the M’s respond.
#243… I’m with you. Why do you let it get past 5-3? Wow…I’m blown away… and weirded out.
I hereby turn all my one-liner power towards making the Mariners score at least one more run.
Also, you guys, no more letters to columnists for other papers while the game is still going. K?
and tonights Banner Bank Molding on the Bench player is ….
#250
Shut up.
#252
I’m going to remain hopeful so long as the bullpen keeps the game where its at. I think the offense can at least put a run or two more across the plate.
thank the lord; we got someone out
Well here’s a silver lining – think how much more this would hurt if this were happening during the playoffs.
Hmmmm, not much of a silver lining.
#255. thank you.
gloating is bad, and pride goeth before a fall, and look before you leap, and all that good stuff.
Just look at one of my favorite Steve Kelley columns, the one where he crowned the Yankees division champs, and Alex the MVP the day before the big Sox comeback, and Alex’ post-season collapse….
257 Wow what a intelligent response “shut up” You in 2nd grade??
Awesome play if Richie could have helped a bit.
bmanuw, i hereby declare that you are not allowed to enjoy any of the possible future successes of this team for the rest of the season after a comment like that
wow big wave of negative karma. Score is still tied. The trick is to bounce back, not slump down in defeat. This is exactly the kind of attitude Bill Plaschke was mocking in his article.We can sing our woes after the game is lost. Not while we are in a middle of a do or die game.
Sexson needs to just be taken out back, given an ice cream cone, a nice long hug, and then put to rest, with a spoon.
Wait a minute — I thought Sexson was the best in the league at digging that ball out of the dirt?
Sorry, wrong thread.
The start to this season was expected, then we over achieved, and now we are reverting back. This team just isn’t good enough to do anything in the playoffs (should we ever get there). The management is to blame (at all levels).
I don’t care if we go through our entire bullpen. We have to win this one.
#261
I’ll refrain from feeding the trolls today.
Good news is that Sean Green is coming in, and not Rick White. Hopefully Johnny Mac has learned his lesson.
Good effort by Willie.
#267
Dave would beg to differ. He seems to think this is a team that could do well in the playoffs, should they make it that far.
The score is tied, people. We haven’t lost yet… so stop with your Debbie Downer comments.
If Sexson scoops that ball, we might have never seen Lopez play again, so it’s just as well.
Scioscia knows our signs. Every year he sniffs out a steal and pitches out.
He never guesses wron on a pitchout…….he has a snitch somewhere!
I just wathced departed….lots of snitches in that movie.
Woo!
wow… Willie with the TAG!
you know, I was watching Slings & arrows before I’d realized the game had started, and that 5 runs were being scored when my back was turned.
maybe I should just go back and see how putting on the Scottish Play is progressing … there is only a little curse involved there
Well that makes up for our rather ugly hit and run a few innings ago.
Has there been any word on Bavasi and Lincoln-Whether or not Bavasi remains on the hot seat?
Nice strikeout. Would be nicer to put them away without a baserunner this inning.
#270: Dave’s a smart guy, so I hope so. That’s just my opinion.
Big play there, let’s carry it over to our side of the inning.
Scioscia Ball! It works!*
* When you have great pitching and defense and everything else that wins ballgames.
Yeah, that was ugly for them.
I wonder if richie is going to try and win this one for us in the 9th inning, but i really dont want to chance waiting that long till we score any runs.
How can a catcher double clutch and still throw a runner out by that wide of a margin?
Fack. Broussard, loosen up!
#271: Debbie Downer…good memories ‘bro back when Quaaludes were around.
I’ve been gone the whole game, but I see I’ve missed nothing. Sort of.
One hit since the first…ONE!!! Someone needs to step up and get this thing turned around!
Okay Raul, if you don’t get on this AB, I’m subtracting a U.
Check out the box score on Gameday. Everyone in the Mariner lineup is at .282 or above. Except for Richie at .209. Ben Broussard? .289, of course. Just noticing.
I miss Jay Buhner.
Good Raul. You get to keep your U.
now let’s just not run ourselves out of an inning
Lets get it started.
OK, leadoff man aboard. Let’s score some runs. Come on, guys.
And the U lives. Good threat Brian.
Ok, I’m back with more rally Fat Tire ($11.90 a 12 pack, not bad at all). It needs to work.
Beltre make us proud.
Put the ball girl at 1st.
Weird how many pickoff attempts are happening on our slowest baserunners. If I were McLaren I’d be changing the signs…
how about a sexson bunt next. Only half kidding, sadly
this dude is due to get tagged
Wow. That was an interesting pitch.
Check that man for steroids!
Got lucky there, that was sort of a wimpy slide by Raul.
at least they didn’t bother trying to turn 2
Ok Richie, redemption time.
msb: Wow. What if it turned out that we weren’t supposed to be saying the word “Mariners” at all?
I wish Broussard could have hit for Sexson.
wimpy? ty cobb would have been jealous of that slide haha
Richie could you at least pretend you dont suck?
Shoot. I should have threatened Richie before he grounded out.
297, Oh, it will definitely work. But it depends on what you mean by “work”.
sexson is a superhero. he can undermine and defeat any semblance of a rally
If I was still able to go to games I can guaran-dang-tee that I would take a sign with me every game that says in letters big…black…and bold…”EUTHANIZE RICHIE!”
This is annoying.
Come to think of it, I was eating rally fries during that first.
Maybe this show will be rally Brock Butler.
Ugh.
(This show == the music I just put in)
Im starting to reallly dislike richie more and more, i hope he was booed
Well, this team is really all about the bullpen, and tonight we find out if that is enough.
Where is Ben?!, come on now I think this game proved everything wrong with Richie. Even if he does get hot, he will never hit well in the pressure of the post season.
Sexson looks like a man who has been spending the last 40 years selling life insurance, is looking forward to retirement, and then finds out that he’s going to have to raise his rebel daughter’s four illegitimate kids and that he’ll have to take on a second job. More or less, he not only looks utterly and profoundly defeated, but he looks as if he’s made his peace with himself and is resigned to that defeat.
Once again FSN, could you please chose camera shots that let us, you know, see the actual pitch thrown?
I hope the Angels bunt us into the bottom of the 7th.
manufacturing runs.
if you throw anything in the strike zone, sean, i am going to kill you
I hope that guy down the third base line is trying to hex the batter, as opposed to doing that to get on tv.
Perfect pitch to that slap happy freak.
Yay! I don’t have to kill sean green!
farg.
#(R#)*)*#$_)#$_#$*_*_
Walk him.
Why? Why pitch to Vlad like that?
Grr.
That mistake was not acceptable. First base open? Walk him. Bring in Sherrill to pitch to Anderson. Not acceptable.
Well if the M’s are gonna lose I hope they can at least do me the courtesy of keeping the game close enough for F. Rod to earn me a fantasy save.
How can the fans be doing the freaking wave in the middle of this? The wave should be banned in games with playoff implications.
(it should be banned in all cases, but I fear it will never happen)
haha Beltre making sure Kenji doesnt fall back?
Angel’s are thinking this game out. M’s are reacting. And poorly.
Hopefully Richie is able to keep things in perspective and realize that at the end of the day he got 44 million from these SUCKAS.
Beltre and Johjima looked nice and natural there, it almost looked like that famous Janet Jackson Rolling Stone cover.
Why let Scrappy hit here?
Willie at bat, and Ben sits.
It’s not like we have a good fielding 2nd baseman on the bench . .
How can the fans be doing the freaking wave in the middle of this?
I love that Sims called out the fans for doing the wave in that situation.
How could you even think that was ball 4?
YUNI!!
Ok, here we go!
Like they say, a one-out double is as good as a single and sacrifice bunt.
Up 5-0 to a team whose starter couldn’t get more than ONE out in the first, and these guys allow six unanswered runs from the halos? This is where season go to die. If they lose this, playoffs as a wild-card or no, the rest of the year is anti-climactic. The Angels last night just kept pouring it on, and put the Ms away early. The Ms have the same opportunity this evening, and they can’t hold a lead? And Sexson is 0-for-what? His last TEN at-bats?
FUCK.
I-CHI-RO!!!!!
Ichiro!
Oh, Ichiro!.
Ichiro, at least, looks mentally focused in this series.
It’s clear Sexson has incriminating photos of someone in the FO. That’s the only explanation that makes sense.
15% Mathis has caught 2 M’s stealing tonight?!?!
How is Ichiro nailed by that much? Must’ve been a horrible jump.
#356
My uncle used to say that was the only reason Bobby Ayala had a spot in the bullpen…
357-8 – Maybe we watered down the basepaths and forgot to tell our team about it.
So, at what point does it become umpire season?
Did he miss the tag because that sure looked like an out?
DAMN.
I’m listening on the radio. Was Ibanez close to catching it?
Q: What word comes from the Anglo-Saxon scitten, originally used as a medical term denoting diarrhea?
A: SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!
Boy we are sure getting screwed by the men in blue
Isn’t it ironic, don’t ya think?
ITS LIKE WATCHING RAUL IBANEZ MISSING A BALL THAT ADAM JONES WOULD HAVE GOT TO.
It’s hold on to your pants time.
Rick White used to be in ZZ Top.
Well it was fun still being in the race in late August.
Sucks that the umpires played a large role, but I don’t think it would have mattered that much anyway…
Stupidity, backed up by incompetence, and rounded out with ineptitude.
Stupid roster construction, incompetent player usage, and inept offense.
Wow, there’s that veteranosity we love so much.
Rick White used to be in ZZ Top.
Not true. He’s too old. But I do believe he played third viola in one Beethoven’s symphonies.
I am clinging to hope like a particularly sticky wall walker.
God. Please at least tell me that Sexson’s numbers justify this somehow. I can’t imagine how.
Good thing their closer sucks.
This M’s team has a decent set of skills, but they do not appear ready to turn that into any significant achievement yet. If they really expected to win this division, they would be performing at or near the top of their abilities in this series. They clearly aren’t.
I’m not talking about “chemistry” or any other nonsense, I’m talking about mental preparedness. The Angels have shown it in this series, the M’s haven’t. I just hope it’s fatigue related and not indicative of a more serious problem.
Then again, the tactical failures of on-field management are well-documented, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised should it extend to failure to mentally prepare the team to perform well when the stakes are high.
“‘Rick White used to be in ZZ Top.’
Not true. He’s too old. But I do believe he played third viola in one Beethoven’s symphonies.”
Actually, he accompanied Nero on the lyre.
White, pitching while Seattle burns.
I am clinging to hope like a particularly sticky wall walker.
I believe the proper metaphor would be a disgusting, unsanitary, fly strip.
Seriously, this whole game has been disgusting after the second out.
M’s are a rudderless ship. Manager can’t make a decision that helps the team. BTW, why was Richie batting when Broussard hit a salami against Speier?
Well, uh.
Mac — you could’ve brought GS52 in, like, say 6-7 BATTERS AGO!!!
This is the worst baseball game I have ever seen. Let’s see how lighthearted the guys are in the clubhouse tonight.
Stoli, splash of vermouth, two olives, UP here I come.
i like the thread title…”bloomquist starts to ignite M’s offense.” i wish bloomquist would ignite himself on fire and take sexson with him. the only thing worse than this game is listening to M’s fans cheer for a team that gave up a five run lead.
Can we officially hate McLaren now?
That lolla-blue-za thing not working out so much, I’m thinking.
379 – If you haven’t by now realized that it’s pointless to ask why Richie is batting in any situation at all, then you’re in for a depressing rest of the season
“I’m not talking about “chemistry†or any other nonsense, I’m talking about mental preparedness. The Angels have shown it in this series, the M’s haven’t.”
How do you mentally prepare for Gerry Meals?
377: The DayGlo goatee did not strike fear into the hearts of the opposition..
NOW Broussard is in.
Biggest at-bat in the biggest inning in the biggest game of the last 3 years and we get who on the mound? JJ? Wait…
Kill me now.
384: NO — the official “I Hate McLaren Club” was filled two weeks ago.
They’re taking new membership applications by mail, phone, or screaming out your window.
I would submit that you don’t substitute ripping up Gerry Meals for whatever mental preparation you ought to have done. If that was the intent, it hasn’t worked.
Is that one going to sit, Dave?
McClaren probably thinks Broussard needs to find a way to get more ABs if he wants more playing time.
I was more appalled when I saw McLaren giving the ball to Rick White than I would have been if he’d come out of the dugout and raised both middle fingers to every fan in the stadium. That was utterly indefensible.
Worst game ever.
Someone needs to buy McLaren a Managing For Dummies book.
This is what the death of hope feels like..
Dear nickpdx,
Cracks like that are half of why I love this blog! Tanks for the humor – the gallows is only a strike away.
if felix loses tomorrow, the m’s officially have no shot…and no guts. getting swept at home is inexcusable. i feel sick.
Sigh.
397 Not even close. Were you alive during the 2001 ALCS?
wow, from a 90% WPA to zero…
John McLaren.. putting the SUCK back in SUCCESS..
“I would submit that you don’t substitute ripping up Gerry Meals for whatever mental preparation you ought to have done. If that was the intent, it hasn’t worked.”
I’m just kinda curious how you look at this performance and draw mental preparation as the reason the Mariners lost. Mental preparation doesn’t prevent the angels from getting four outs in an inning. And I didn’t really spot any mental mistakes. At least not by the players on the field.
The Mariners lost because of a blown call, and terrible pitching. Period.
Any chance we can get new umps for tomorrows game?
I was more appalled when I saw McLaren giving the ball to Rick White than I would have been if he’d come out of the dugout and raised both middle fingers to every fan in the stadium. That was utterly indefensible
When I saw how McLaren was using the bullpen in the 6th, I said to myself, “Self, Rick White is going to be pitching in a tie ballgame in the 8th.”
I wasn’t quite so prescient to say it would be against Vladimir Guerrero with the bases loaded, but I suppose I should’ve known.
Someone needs to buy McLaren a Managing For Dummies book
Why, didn’t the publisher give him any Author’s proofs?
I was more appalled when I saw McLaren giving the ball to Rick White than I would have been if he’d come out of the dugout and raised both middle fingers to every fan in the stadium. That was utterly indefensible.
Well, really?
Hmmm. I actually didn’t have a problem putting White in there. Vlad was 2-17 vs. White prior to that AB, and has done a pretty good job getting the hitters to keep it on the ground. There are far worse outcomes that could’ve happened than a broken bat single that just is beyond the reach of the third baseman.
I’m the biggest GS52 non-related fan around, and I certainly wouldn’t've brought him in at that point. Certainly Putz might’ve been the best choice, but he wasn’t even warming up, and they were down 1 run already.
To me, Mac already dug his grave when he decided to leave Morrow in to start the 8th.
what number is higher, sexson OBP this year or rick white’s blood alcohol level when he decided to bleach his chin muff?
Ibanez in the outfield costing runs? Check.
Letting the weak link in the bullpen pitch against the other team’s best hitter? Check.
Failing to pinch-hit when it counts? Check.
Krueger questioning McLaren’s use of pitching? Cracks in the party line?
Wow, even Krueger is ripping Mac.
Good for you Bill (for once).
Here’s the thought process that you have to go through in order to bring in Rick White in the 8th inning of that game:
“I’m about to take out one of our better relievers because he isn’t getting it done to get us out of this inning. Should I step it up, bring in the Big Guns, to stop this potential catastrophe before it costs millions of lives? Yes, I should. I should bring in someone BETTER than the guy I’m about to take out. Someone who can do what this guy can’t. I should bring in
Rick
White.”
FAIL
Vlad was 2-17 vs. White prior to that AB
Wow, 17 whole at bats between one of the best hitters in baseball and one of the crappiest veteran relievers in baseball! Seriously, 17 at bats proves absolutely nothing…a few more hits drop and Vlad would own White. The whole success against a pitcher thing is, for the most part, small sample size effects.
Rick White as of tonight has officially settled into Julio Mateo’s old role in the bullpen.
willie bloomquist really looked good out there today. he’s such a great player. i’m really glad he’s on the team.
I’m very thankful for USSM for many reasons, but one didn’t really make sense until today. I love the fact that there’s a site like this where hardcore, intelligent fans can share their misery. It’s strangely cathartic. Sadly, the last time it hurt this bad was 2003 so it’s been a while and you forget how legitimate and strong the pain can be. Anyway, thanks again USSM crew.
#417
Screw Mateo, that was vintage Mariners bullpen in the 90′s full-fledged gas can.
Wow, 17 whole at bats between one of the best hitters in baseball and one of the crappiest veteran relievers in baseball! Seriously, 17 at bats proves absolutely nothing…a few more hits drop and Vlad would own White. The whole success against a pitcher thing is, for the most part, small sample size effects.
So, leave Morrow in, then?
Try again.
Bring in GS52?
Nah.
Putz?
Wasn’t even warming up.
I’m not saying it’s the best idea, just saying it’s not indefensible.
It’s MORE indefensible not taking Morrow out earlier. And not pinch-hitting for Sexson in the 8th.
i heard rick rizzs is going to shave his palmzzs for good luck tomorrow.
Last night was understandable. Tonight may have ruined my Felix day.
The thing is I don’t see a defense for it. JJ hasn’t pitched since the 24th. Vlad’s splits are nearly identical. Morrow was pitching well, but had balls get through, a close and then a horrible call go against him. And Rick White is not a good pitcher. Why do I, and everyone here, know this and the manager doesn’t? This bothers me more than anything in the world.
That begs the question, why the fuck wasn’t Putz warming up?
That was the biggest moment of the game and McLaren left it in Rick White’s hands.
424 and 423, because McLaren hasn’t managed a meaningful game since the Eisenhower administration and Rick White personally threatened to let off a stink bomb in the bullpen unless he got in the game.
i wouldn’t be surprised if i woke up tomorrow to find putz is out for september with a dead arm and ichiro has a nude pictorial coming out in the october issue of Playgirrrr.
Well, having a Tim Donaghy-approved umpiring crew certainly didn’t help things either. McLaren does his darndest to give the M’s the disadvantage as much as possible.
So, yeah, it’s no wonder the M’s can’t do a thing in a big game and a big series.
Speaking of small sample sizes. At least Felix fares a little better in day games than he does in night games, looking at the splits…
421 ok, that I can understand. I just don’t think 17 at bats between such polar opposites is anything to make a real pitching decision upon.
Tomorrow’s a must win. 5 games with 32 games to go is a pretty big mountain to climb.
JHC, I’m doing my best to remain optimistic, but I can’t help feel that Felix is going to get shelled tomorrow and the M’s fall apart on the extended road trip.
That, or I’m doing my very best reverse jinx.
I hate Bill Krueger and his stupid X and checks.
“Bring in GS52?
Nah.”
Why not?
Against LH George Sherrill > Rick White
Against RH George Sherrill > Rick White
I’d say I hate McLarens obsessive belief in playing L/R matchups, but when he fills out a lineup card he doesn’t seem to know what platoon splits are.
God. I was there, and it was just deflating to hear them announce White coming into the game out of the pen. There’s just no defense for not warming up Putz in that situation. It doesn’t always have to be a save situation for him to go in, christ. Just depressing.
So, let’s see, that’s THREE games where they’ve brought in the suck-ass veteran in a close game to help blow it. Parrish vs. Baltimore, and White twice in the past week. Only through the grace of God did we win the Baltimore game.
Way to manage the bullpen, McLaren.
Well, having a Tim Donaghy-approved umpiring crew certainly didn’t help things
The umps definitely cost us this game. If they’d tossed McLaren before he started using the bullpen, I think we’d have hung on to win.
I’m not saying it’s the best idea, just saying it’s not indefensible.
I’m saying it’s indefensible. Rick White has no business being in any close ballgame, and it’s pretty blatant why- he got waived by the LAST PLACE and pitching-starved Houston Astros as being a no-talent assclown, and we have any number of better relievers to bring in (basically, every other reliever on the team).
Mac’s done this THREE times in the past 15 days (I misspoke above, it was Minnesota):
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270813112
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270825113
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270828112
Basically, in the highest possible leverage situations, he had guys with ERAs that were deservedly bad pitching. What POSSIBLE explanation for this is this, other than a misguided belief that veteran=good?
What a disappointing game. Rick White in to pitch to Vlad? Are you kidding me?
And I hate to be “That Guy” who complains about his fellow fans, but jeez…46,000 people there, and no one in my section wants to clap for anything. They all wait for the effing scoreboard to tell them when to cheer. If the scoreboard stops flashing, they stop cheering.
I know, in the end it doesn’t affect the outcome of the game, but…it’s frustrating as a fan to be one of the few people actually cheering once in a while.
And once again for good measure. RICK FREAKING WHITE pitching against VLAD?
I absolutely will not defend Mac’s decision not to warm up JJ in that situation. I’m just saying, I would’ve brought in GS52 to start the 8th, with GMJ, followed by Morales, and lots of other batters before Vlad.
And, even though I’m a HUGE GS52 freak, I’m not sure I would’ve even put him in there to face Vlad with the bases loaded, given the choice between Sherrill and White. Having White over Putz warming up was undefensible, barring Putz injury/illness. Bringing in White (reasonable GB/FB ratios) instead of GS52 (a bit of a FB pitcher, especially vs. tough righties) to face one of the toughest RH hitters isn’t completely unreasonable.
I also would’ve walked Vlad in the 7th. No way you give Vlad anything close to hit. That hurt the M’s just as much as the 8th inning did. That was almost as much on the umpires as it was on the M’s.
I just want to puke.
This team is fucking infuriating.
And, even though I’m a HUGE GS52 freak, I’m not sure I would’ve even put him in there to face Vlad with the bases loaded, given the choice between Sherrill and White.
It’s really easy. White sucks. He suck-diddly-ucks. He should be pitching garbage relief at best- and consider that Houston, a really bad team, wasn’t even willing to let him do that. Julio Mateo, who we all cringed last year when we saw him in a close game? He’s a better pitcher than White.
White’s probably the worst relief pitcher on the roster (in a tie with HoRam for worst overall, likely). This is like pinch-hitting WFB for Ichiro with a runner on 3rd in a tie ballgame. There’s just no reason to do this, especially when it’s Wlad at the plate.
Mac’s done this THREE times in the past 15 days
Hey, Rick White got a hold in that first game. Which means he did well, right? Holds are an awesome stat.
Throwing salary away on a washed-up bum like White in the first place, and then using him in critical situations of perceivably must-win games, indeed lends suspicion to the conspiracy theory of Bavasi STILL being on the Angels’ payroll.
Just got back from the game. As I predicted after I got back last night, not drinking two nights in a row turned out to not be an option.
While I was at work today, I started to send an email to the authors asking how they thought McLaren has done, as compared to Hargrove as we have a plenty big enough sample to work on. I opted to not do it, and irony slaps me in the face.
I have decided not to purchase my season tickets next year as long as the current regime stays intact. There is no chance I am going to go through a whole season of this. If McLaren goes, I might reconsider. But if he and Bavasi are both back, I’m out.
Can you believe people were doing the wave during a crucial part of the game? And even worse, people around me were turning around and giving me dirty looks when I voiced my displeasure of not being able to see what the hell was going on.
The game had a serious October feel tonight. Until the lead was evaporated and it was apparent we were going to lose. People like reverted back to the non passionate fans I’ve come to see game after game.
443, I’ve given up hope on casual Mariners fans. like I said above, they only cheer when the scoreboard tells them to, or if someone’s trying to get the wave started. then when the wave is going, all these people pay attention to the wave instead of the pitcher/batter matchup, which most likely has some significance.
furthermore, it always amuses me when people cheer for a supposed “sacrifice” that really doesn’t help us.
1995 was 12 years ago, you think we’d have some semblance of intelligent baseball fans aside from those who are on the tubes of the internets. i guess i’m a wishful thinker.
Safeco is so ‘family friendly’ that most of the people in the joint at any given time don’t know a damn thing about baseball.
ok, so I finished the due-back Slings & arrows (and is that an ironic title tonight) and thus missed most of the ensuing carnage, aside from Raul’s face-plant into the wall as the ball went flying the other direction.
so, what was Meals’ egregious call? and I assume White gave up the 4 runs next to Morrow’s name?
ok. Baker filled me in. Those darned blogs, what will they think of next.
444/445 – Yeah, and you know, I totally understand that there is a place for the casual fan. The hydro races, hat trick, those are all modern day versions of “Take Me Out to the (Willie) Ballgame.” You have to toss some other form of entertainment in to keep certain people buying tickets and beer.
With that said, my frustration set in when one second people were on their feet concerned with every pitch (October feel), then when some idiot starts the wave, they ALL turn away from the goings on of the game to watch the wave (Typical Seattle feel). How does that happen? Was the stadium filled with 40,000 people with ADD?
444: Agreed. I personally think these idiot kids that spend the whole game circling the park trying to get the wave going should be escorted by the ushers to the nearest exit.
Then again, I guess they only do that when the Yanks are in town — and spirited fans who truly understand what a rivalry is wear their “Yankees Suck” shirts only to get tossed out for doing so.
In light of White’s performance, I can’t identify the logical fallacy the FO/McLaren has for assuming that a player having “veteran” status will result in greater performance than a player who has less exposure in the league.
Much like the gambler’s fallacy in that Sexson will eventually be launching a barrage of rockets off of his bat if he gets more plate appearances, there should be a snappy name for the fallacy that “Veteran = Good” fits into.
Could someone figure this out?
Its a good thing I didn’t have any weapons or sharp objects around me, I mighta used them on myself.
Then again, that would probably be less painful then suffering through that ballgame once the first out was recorded.
Seriously, it was all over for me when they showed George Sherrill just getting up in the pen for the first time…. later in the inning they show Rick White is warming up with him and I’m like, oh fuck, they’re not going to use Sherrill and they are going to use White. Sure enough, after the intentional walk he makes the call for White. I thought it was some sort of cruel fucking joke.
We got to our best middle releiver (Sherrill) after the game is basically over, using evryone else in the bullpen before him. WHy bring the best guy in after it doesn’t matter? The umps just made it worse. This team is too frustrating to be a fan of. How the hell is Sexson still playing? GOd I hope Felix can salvage this series.
I was at a Giants-Dodgers at Chavez Ravine (when Bonds was at 754) when some kids tried to start The Wave. They were promptly pelted with various materials and expletives.
Casual fans are the only reason why baseball even exists. Without a fan base, however dumb they might be, no sport can operate as a business. Sports are supposed to be there for entertainment, if the fans are having fun then thats all that matters. Why should you let that bother you? If you want to watch the game “seriously”, then you should (like most readers here), there is nothing from stopping you. (well at least I have never been really bothered by the surrounding fans, but maybe thats because I am one of those casual fans out there as well)
And yeah, people should probably not get too cocky about their team until its all over. Now those who made stupid cocky remarks earlier in the thread look totally dumb, ultimatelly making every other poster look like a cocky bastard as well.
Yeah, you dolts that emailed Plaschke, I’m sure he went (or will) check his email, read through them and just start laughing out loud.
I know the game is over
But when I heard Rick White coming in with Bases-loaded against Guerrero with a close game on the line. I thought a couple things.
1. Oh $%@#
2. Of course typical Johnny Mac. Maybe he gets a high off sending useless veteran relievers in close games. I can’t think of any other reason he keeps making the same mistakes. Reitsma, Parrish, and now White. I wonder which cruddy reliever will be on the roster next week for Mac to turn to when an important game is on the line.
Re Plaschke: I’m a firm believer in not counting chickens before they are hatched.
However, if he’s a typical OC wishy-washy sporto, he’ll no doubt be jumping back over to the Dodgers bandwagon the minute the Angies have to start rebuilding in a few years time.
I hope we lose the rest of our games this season.
I can’t stand the management and even if we got to postseason, you think Mac could handle that? We’d probably get swept in our first series.
This was a tough game to be in attendance. A quick 5-0 lead lulled me into a state of confidence…..which was promptly dashed by a vintage Weaver performance. Ichiro ultimately pulled through and brought victory back within the M’s grasp, but McLaren left Morrow out to rot on the mound, then brought in f#$%ing Rick White to seal the deal. What a god damned joke. How can I take this team seriously? With 2 outs in the 8th, bases loaded, down by one run, our manager brings in an over the hill, NL reject reliever.
We have one of the best RP’s in baseball, one who didn’t see action last night. What are we saving JJ for? I am dumbfounded. The M’s will not be playing in October with the current roster construction, and more importantly the maddening ineptitude of our beloved manager.
A few late thoughts.
1) Our offense let us down. I know, I know…we pounded on Santana while we could…but we HAD to find a way to keep pounding on them until they were dead…and we let Dustin Moseley own us.
2) Weaver got squeezed a few times and lost focus. Felix, obviously, loses focus rather easily. It seems that our entire pitching staff is so fragile that if they make a mistake, they can’t recover from it. That, to me, sounds either like a managerial (motivational) problem or a coaching problem…above and beyond just “stuff.”
3) Yeah, we’ve been getting some bad breaks on calls over the past few games. Quality teams absorb the hit and still find ways to win. Can’t put this on the umps.
4) Rick White coming in with the bases loaded and the game on the line? Ooof.
5) Regarding the complaints about the “casual fans” at Safeco. I read people complaining here about how the fans only clap when told to by the scoreboard–and then I read those same people complaining that “nobody was standing and clapping when we had two outs.” To me, clapping with two outs or two strikes is just as sheep-like as clapping when the scoreboard tells you to… With the exception of GS52 and JJ (and even THEY can be questionable), there isn’t anyone on the staff that I feel confident enough to stand up and cheer just because they’ve almost done what we pay them to try and do.
And if you complained about the fans not clapping during THIS game–other than the bottom of the first, what, pray tell, was there to clap for?
If our team does something good, I’ll cheer my heart out… And, from time to time, I’ll cheer to try to motivate the team towards better performance… But just because I don’t do the hokey pokey when you’ve trained yourself to do it…doesn’t make me a less knowledgeable fan.
Maybe what I know is that I’ve just been burned too many times before…
pg
PS–The team is already tired…and not going to get any rest any time soon… Somebody’s got to step up or it can all slip away. I’ll be cheering tomorrow, but I’m already taking the necessary steps not to leave myself vulnerable to a broken heart.
For all of the talk about “veteran leadership”…there’d better be someone in that clubhouse who can motivate and guide us. I certainly don’t feel confidant that it’ll be a manager OR a coach.
Cheer up folks, it’s KING FELIX DAY!
The surest omen that the Mariners were destined to lose this game was Rick White’s weird day-glo goatee.
As the kids used to say in the 1980s, Freakazoid.
406
Come on, the Angels *pounded* the M’s in these two games. Getting “breaks” wouldn’t have made any difference – the Angels responded ferociously when the M’s issued any challenge.
Now, the Angels are simply better than the M’s. They have a better repeatable skill set and better tactical management. If the M’s wanted to perform better in this series, there would be two ways, either the Angels would have to underachieve or the M’s would have to overachieve.
If you don’t have the skills to match your opponent, how do you overachieve? Several ways. Will, focus, exploit tactical advantages by being smarter than your opponent, etc. (Having the last at-bat helps too.) The Angels are performing at or above their capabilities in this series. The M’s are not. Not a recipe for success.
My question is what’s the root cause? Given how lethargic the entire team looked Sunday in Texas, fatigue is a very plausible candidate, but that should even out after the first game. Hence, my theory. I suspect the Angels are as mentally prepared and focused as the situation warrants, the M’s aren’t. Combine that with the skills deficit and you get two blowout losses (and a possible sweep) at home.