Game 10, Mariners at Rays

Dave · April 10, 2008 at 9:00 am · Filed Under Mariners 

9:40 am, Batista vs Jackson.

Say hello to morning baseball. Of course, with the way Edwin Jackson and Miguel Batista command the strike zone, there’s a good chance this will turn into evening baseball, and maybe even midnight baseball. Not exactly a couple of Carlos Silvas here. Jackson and Batista are actually pretty similar pitchers, though I’d rather have Jackson at this point in his career.

Line-up:

CF Ichiro
2B Lopez
3B Beltre
LF Ibanez
1B Sexson
DH Vidro
RF Morse
C Johjima
SS Betancourt

Even with a RHP on the hill, Mike Morse gets the start in right field. Miguel better focus on getting a lot of groundballs today.

Comments

292 Responses to “Game 10, Mariners at Rays”

  1. HamNasty on April 10th, 2008 9:04 am

    I was sad I had to go take a test and miss the end of the game, with the OF and those starters maybe I can catch the end still.

  2. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 9:05 am

    Wha… What time is it?

  3. JI on April 10th, 2008 9:05 am

    I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Mike Morse sucks (earth-shattering, I know).

    *Dan Johnson was DFAed by the A’s, he’s a decent freely available backup 1B, no?

  4. msb on April 10th, 2008 9:08 am

    there’s a good chance this will turn into evening baseball, and maybe even midnight baseball.

    so, lots of time for the MorseMen out there to see their guy, then.

    nice note about Batista, before his tightrope-walking pitching starts working on the nerves.

  5. okobojicat on April 10th, 2008 9:21 am

    *Dan Johnson was DFAed by the A’s, he’s a decent freely available backup 1B, no?

    Norton is down at Tacoma. Their is a better than replacement value 1B already available. It only matters when Bavasi and McLaren give up on Richie.

  6. Zero Gravitas on April 10th, 2008 9:21 am

    I haven’t even had coffee yet today, it’s way too early for me to think about right field defense.

  7. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 9:29 am

    There is a good chance that Morse fields in much the same way that Ruggiano (sp?) did yesterday. Vidro should send him, Ruggiano, a thank you note for that double.

    Just wondering if today be a good day to give a rest to one of the non-platooned regulars. I know that no one wants to lose Lopez, Beltre, or Yuni from the lineup right now, but giving one of those guys a day off (day game after night game) might help out down the road. And while I am not a fan of the bench, the M’s insist on carrying both WFB and Cairo, so they might as well use them once a month.

  8. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 9:30 am

    Mariners’ starters leading the A.L. in ERA. Let’s see what Batista can do today, bringing out the broom.

    On another note, first post. Woo!

  9. ocelot on April 10th, 2008 9:32 am

    Well, I get the FSN broadcast today on MLB.tv! Yay for Dave Niehaus, but crap for having to hear about the “Professional Hitter” again…the break from that misnomer was really nice.

  10. EnglishMariner on April 10th, 2008 9:32 am

    Ah baseball at 17:40 … I will savour this moment. Much better than the usual 03:05 starting time.

  11. Benne on April 10th, 2008 9:34 am

    Good morning everyone. Nothing like grabbing a cup of coffee and watching the M’s first thing in the morning. Hopefully Morse won’t make me want to regurgitate my coffee today.

  12. crazyray7391 on April 10th, 2008 9:43 am

    I can’t think of a better way to get through work than listening to the M’s

  13. msb on April 10th, 2008 9:47 am

    well, that must have been a fast top of the first.

  14. gwangung on April 10th, 2008 9:47 am

    And while I am not a fan of the bench, the M’s insist on carrying both WFB and Cairo, so they might as well use them once a month.

    Heck, ya…that’s part of the reason to have a bench.

    And if you’re going to weight your roster with veteran goodness, how about treating them like veterans and giving them a day off periodically to KEEP them fresh?

  15. JWay on April 10th, 2008 9:48 am

    Dang, I was hoping for a 4 HR day from Adrian!

  16. Benne on April 10th, 2008 9:50 am

    Uh oh….looks like we have Bad Batista today.

  17. JWay on April 10th, 2008 9:50 am

    walking the first batter, he’s just shaking off the rust!

  18. Ruuupe on April 10th, 2008 9:51 am

    FanGraphs still hates us, I see. And this time no work-around until the Cincinatti-Milwaukee game.

  19. joser on April 10th, 2008 9:52 am

    There’s just something wrong with the world when I have a hard time getting back from Top Pot with my coffee before the first pitch. And I live across the street from Top Pot.

    It’s what, ~2AM tomorrow in Japan? Well, at least our European contingent is convenienced.

    I don’t have it on TV — how many people are there? Day game on a Thursday against a team with no natural following in the area… how many people could the Rays draw? 10?

  20. msb on April 10th, 2008 9:53 am

    well, it sounds like at least two people are there, shouting ‘charge’!

  21. Benne on April 10th, 2008 9:53 am

    I don’t have it on TV — how many people are there? Day game on a Thursday against a team with no natural following in the area… how many people could the Rays draw? 10?

    It’s pretty empty—10K is a generous guess.

  22. crazyray7391 on April 10th, 2008 9:54 am

    18

    This is the perfect time of day for all the old people in Florida, they have to draw at least 235 today, c’mon.

  23. kyoko on April 10th, 2008 9:54 am

    It’s 5am in New Zealand and I don’t know why I got up to watch Batista.

  24. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 9:54 am

    Today has all the ingredients for a bizarro day.

  25. JWay on April 10th, 2008 9:55 am

    There is more than a hand full of open seats behind home plate. There’s just enough people to have crowd noise. But not enough to tone out the one or two hecklers that are there. Can’t be much more than 5K in total I’d guess.

  26. HamNasty on April 10th, 2008 9:55 am

    It is tough to tell with half the senior citizens taking their post brunch nap in the stands.

  27. ocelot on April 10th, 2008 9:57 am

    I wonder how strict the ushers are in enforcing ticket placement…i.e., I wonder if Rays fans can get away with migrating to better empty seats…goodness knows there are enough of them…

  28. JWay on April 10th, 2008 9:57 am

    That field looks like garbage.

  29. Benne on April 10th, 2008 9:57 am

    Batista is putting me right back to sleep.

  30. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 9:58 am

    14 Mike Cameron hit 4 HR on my birthday once. It was sweet.

  31. HamNasty on April 10th, 2008 10:00 am

    Nice language Upton. On the up side there is no one in the stands to hear it. On the bottom side there is no crowd noise to drown it out.

  32. seank100 on April 10th, 2008 10:00 am

    Listening to the game on XM, so with the Rays announcers. They just mentioned the rash of injuries at the start of this season is, according to the research they have, the worst since 2002. Then one of them said (and I’m sorry I can’t tell one from the other) ‘There are a lot of whispers as to why [there are so many injuries]‘. Are these announcers calling guys out for steroid use, or perhaps the cessation of use this year? On the air? Wow.

  33. msb on April 10th, 2008 10:00 am

    But not enough to tone out the one or two hecklers that are there

    say, I haven’t heard the Tampa Hollarer this visit … and he is hard to overlook.

  34. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:00 am

    28, Yeah my birthday isn’t til August. I’m asking for a Felix perfect game this year =)

  35. Benne on April 10th, 2008 10:03 am

    Sexson with the free pass.

  36. Rick L on April 10th, 2008 10:04 am

    The Rays have been getting some pretty bad calls in this series.

  37. abender20 on April 10th, 2008 10:04 am

    anyone else having issues with sound on mlb.tv?

  38. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:05 am

    ugh Vidro makes me cry on the inside.

  39. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 10:05 am

    Vidro makes me cry on the inside.

    But you’re laughing on the outside right?

  40. Ruuupe on April 10th, 2008 10:06 am

    38 – C’mon, he didn’t DP this time.

  41. abender20 on April 10th, 2008 10:06 am

    nice swing by morse… gets sexson 2nd…

  42. Benne on April 10th, 2008 10:06 am

    Morse sucks. There, I said it.

  43. Jack Howland on April 10th, 2008 10:07 am

    The tickets behind home plate cost $210 at Tropicana.

  44. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 10:07 am

    Boy did Morse look over-matched there.

  45. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:08 am

    40, I know he didn’t, but we shouldn’t be happy that our DH didn’t DP. But that’s all we can hope for. =’(

    39, oh yeah, I even got my girlfriend in on the Turbo madness!

  46. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:08 am

    I’d like to see how far behind the M’s would be if Edwin was throwing 100….

  47. don52656 on April 10th, 2008 10:11 am

    Regarding Dan Johnson being available….no way the M’s have a shot at him unless they work out a trade with Oakland. He’d never make it through waivers. The Giants, for one, would upgrade 1B by taking Johnson.

  48. sodomojojojo on April 10th, 2008 10:12 am

    I read something from the comments in game 8 that has made its way onto my computer screen and it makes me smile–Richie’s dangerous when he doesn’t swing…, now if I had a pony…

  49. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:12 am

    Anyone excited for the Sexson 1 on 1 after the game?

  50. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 10:16 am

    28, Never noticed it before but wow it really does look bad.

  51. AssumedName on April 10th, 2008 10:18 am

    48 – glad you like my work…

  52. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:19 am

    Jeeez, another inning like this and I’ll just have to open Out of the Park 8 and play baseball in my fantasy world.

  53. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:19 am

    Jeeez, another inning like this and I’ll just have to open Out of the Park 8 and play baseball in my fantasy world.

  54. Rick L on April 10th, 2008 10:19 am

    Kenji is making a case for Burke as the starting catcher.

  55. ocelot on April 10th, 2008 10:20 am

    54: No kidding. Kenji is making [Richie] look like a good batter right now.

  56. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 10:20 am

    What does Burke have to do to get more than just one start a week?

  57. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:21 am

    Walk for Ichiro! Keeping the no hitter alive!

  58. Benne on April 10th, 2008 10:21 am

    Ichiro! on, maybe we’ll get something going now on offense.

  59. Rick L on April 10th, 2008 10:22 am

    Jackson has a no-hitter going.

  60. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:23 am

    I remember when Dave wanted the M’s to trade for Edwin. He looks pretty good to me…

  61. jlc on April 10th, 2008 10:23 am

    I scheduled a lunch meeting for today. Who knew I was supposed to check the Mariners’ schedule before doing such a silly thing?

  62. ndevale on April 10th, 2008 10:25 am

    I’m following this on gameday. Did Yubet really take 5 pitches?

  63. msb on April 10th, 2008 10:25 am

    I remember when Dave wanted the M’s to trade for Edwin. He looks pretty good to me…

    hey, I volunteered to send Wash off for him ….

  64. Logger on April 10th, 2008 10:25 am

    59 – So does Batista!

  65. LondonMsFan on April 10th, 2008 10:27 am

    Not a great game so far, but I am loving baseball in the afternoon. Also, the fact that I can post on a thread that’s live (vs. waking up in the morning and reading this before anything else).

  66. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:28 am

    So far this has been an infomercial for St. Petersburgh, with baseball playing in the background…

  67. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:29 am

    Hmmmmm that was pretty close…

  68. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 10:29 am

    I take a short nap and Batista gets through two batters.

  69. Jack Howland on April 10th, 2008 10:30 am

    Line drive?

  70. Sachemo on April 10th, 2008 10:31 am

    Pena Vs Batista makes me nervous…

  71. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:31 am

    68, apparently it counts if it goes straight into the ground..

  72. mackj on April 10th, 2008 10:31 am

    bouncer by crawford up the middle to lopez, neihaus calls it a line drive?

  73. JerBear on April 10th, 2008 10:32 am

    I’m so sick of this “April Baseball – October Intensity” hype over the upcoming Angels series. Not to downplay the importance of playing well in your division, but seriously, they’re just setting themselves up to look like fools.

  74. Benne on April 10th, 2008 10:33 am

    And the no-hitter stays alive.

  75. kyoko on April 10th, 2008 10:35 am

    Hearing the Ms announcers pronounce Iwamura Akinori’s name at 5.30am is really unpleasnat.

  76. EastCoastMsFan on April 10th, 2008 10:36 am

    Dang Beltre. I’m really tired of seeing that flailing swing and the way outside and low pitch.

  77. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 10:36 am

    70: And yes, it seems like every time they do something like that, bad “mojo” follows.

  78. Jack Howland on April 10th, 2008 10:37 am

    Hearing the Ms announcers is really unpleasant.

  79. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 10:37 am

    This game is going to end as a 1-0 dual no-hitter. Winning runs scores on a four-base Morse error.

  80. EastCoastMsFan on April 10th, 2008 10:37 am

    LOL, as soon as I hit send he rips one. That has to be a hit.

  81. Jack Howland on April 10th, 2008 10:38 am

    The official scorer will be under a lot of heat if that is the only hit of the game.

  82. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 10:39 am

    BELTRE – Breaking up the NO NO!

    Okay, it’s not that exciting, but I’m doing boring work and trying to distract myself with a boring game. I’ve got to find some frisson somewhere.

  83. Benne on April 10th, 2008 10:39 am

    Heeeeeeeere’s Sexxxxxy!

  84. Benne on April 10th, 2008 10:40 am

    Goddammit, Sexson.

  85. Sachemo on April 10th, 2008 10:40 am

    I wish I could have bet on that…

  86. Logger on April 10th, 2008 10:40 am

    Sexson – the dude is going to hit .220 and have an OBP of .350

  87. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 10:41 am

    76: Something like that actually happened years back…in one of Sandy Koufax’s games, I believe.

  88. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 10:41 am

    Beltre showing the wheels!

  89. Logger on April 10th, 2008 10:41 am

    Oops, thought Sexson walked.

  90. ocelot on April 10th, 2008 10:41 am

    Have I mentioned how much I hate having Sexson on our team?

  91. joser on April 10th, 2008 10:42 am

    Nice catch. I’d suggest Raul take notes, but there’s no point in your brain learning something your body can’t do.

  92. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 10:42 am

    83: Except for the four base error, right?

  93. EastCoastMsFan on April 10th, 2008 10:42 am

    That sucked.

  94. Doc Baseball on April 10th, 2008 10:43 am

    Rauuuul would have made that catch, too….

  95. Benne on April 10th, 2008 10:46 am

    So much for the no-hitter.

  96. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 10:46 am

    There goes that.

  97. joser on April 10th, 2008 10:48 am

    If they lose this game 1-0 on a Hinske HR I’m going to be nauseous for the rest of the day.

    I realize Jackson was one of the Dave-Endorsed trade targets with TB, but what’s his story? Looking at his career at B-R it looks like the Dodgers used him sparingly as starter for 3 years, but when TB got him they used him as a reliever in ‘06, then put him in the rotation (31 starts) last year. But he wasn’t all that good. And yet all of the sudden this year he’s Don Drysdale. Is this just early-games-against-players-who-haven’t-faced-him-before small sample size weirdness?

  98. Slippery Elmer on April 10th, 2008 10:48 am

    Niehaus jinxed them by mentioning the potential series sweep. Rays will pour it on from here.

  99. msb on April 10th, 2008 10:48 am

    I’m so sick of this “April Baseball – October Intensity” hype over the upcoming Angels series. Not to downplay the importance of playing well in your division, but seriously, they’re just setting themselves up to look like fools.

    why? they can lose with great intensity.

  100. fishiam on April 10th, 2008 10:49 am

    Just how many times a game does Blowers say “I don’t think there’s any question about that”? It is so annoying.

  101. Sentinel on April 10th, 2008 10:52 am

    Random note…

    Anybody see that commercial on ESPN with Sweet Lou arguing with the umpire? Pretty good stuff.

  102. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 10:54 am

    87: Correct.

    http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196509090.shtml

    ONE hit in the whole freaking game!

    It must’ve sucked to have been Bob Hendley that day — throwing the game of his career only to have gotten no-hit by Koufax! :o

  103. jlc on April 10th, 2008 10:54 am

    Speaking of commercials, what does Ichiro! say at the end of his when he’s getting fitted for the suit? I can’t make it out.

  104. Slippery Elmer on April 10th, 2008 10:55 am

    fishiam:
    Just how many times a game does Blowers say “I don’t think there’s any question about that”? It is so annoying.

    Quit questioning him–you’ll only make him do it more.

  105. CC03 on April 10th, 2008 10:56 am

    Kenji is seriously a waste of an AB right now.

  106. JWay on April 10th, 2008 10:56 am

    C’mon Ichiro!

  107. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 10:57 am

    Bob Hendley has nothing on Harvey Haddix.

  108. jlc on April 10th, 2008 10:57 am

    And Sims picks up the, “No question, no question.”

  109. Taylor H on April 10th, 2008 10:57 am

    100 – um, its been like five games, Miguel Cabrera isn’t hitting well either right now.

    Also, Gameday, as well as my radio, is broken. What’s the score?

  110. the other benno on April 10th, 2008 10:57 am

    OK, this is bizarre… MLB GameDay has M’s up 1-0 on a Sexson HR, and ESPN has the Rays up 1-0 on a Hinske HR.

  111. fret_24 on April 10th, 2008 10:57 am

    How did Morse get to second on a ground out to short? Was it a hit and run, or was the ball hit so slowly there was no shot at getting Morse?

  112. jimmylauderdale on April 10th, 2008 10:58 am

    92 – Jackson was, at one time, the Dodgers top pitching prospect. His first game as a pro he out-dueled Randy Johnson and looked great. Was dealt to Tampa a short time later for relief pitching. Been up and down since then and has not been used in a stable role in consecutive seasons since. Mac would attribute his lack of consistent success to not knowing his defined role, I’m sure.

  113. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 10:58 am

    102: Ah, poor Harvey — the 12-inning “perfect” loss!

  114. Dayve on April 10th, 2008 10:58 am

    If any of you followed your own logic you’d allow Morse the amount of time necessary to qualify the fact that “he sucks” in the same way you do not qualify his large numbers in short MLB stays as reputable numbers reflecting his talent or potential.

  115. fret_24 on April 10th, 2008 10:58 am

    I switched to ESPN’s GameCast, GameDay was being seriously wonky.

  116. ocelot on April 10th, 2008 10:59 am

    107: Slow grounder that offered no chance for a DP.

  117. Sachemo on April 10th, 2008 11:01 am

    Our offense stinks today. No doubt about it.

  118. JerBear on April 10th, 2008 11:01 am

    94 – I guess you’re right. Striking out with the bases loaded can be pretty intense.

    95 – That’s an ongoing complaint. Anybody ever play EA Sports MLB 2005? One of the announcers on there says “No doubt about it!” all the time, and in pretty much the same tone as Blow. There are a few other similarities too, leading me to suspect the Blowers learned his broadcast skills from playing xbox.

    96 – Yeah, that goes down as one of the best commercials of all time in my book. :)

  119. fishiam on April 10th, 2008 11:01 am

    Beltre is just hysterical … for those not watching – Sims called the play by play saying that Beltre was about to make the catch. Yuni made the catch, thus Sims was faked out by Beltre and noted that it wasn’t the first time that had happened. And then the camera showed Beltre with a bit of a smirk on his face. Fun stuff.

  120. scraps on April 10th, 2008 11:02 am

    Dayve, Morse was mediocre in the minors too. There’s no reason to think he’s good, except wanting him to be good.

  121. zzyzx on April 10th, 2008 11:02 am

    “OK, this is bizarre… MLB GameDay has M’s up 1-0 on a Sexson HR, and ESPN has the Rays up 1-0 on a Hinske HR.”

    I don’t care which one is true in the ‘real world’. It’s 1-0 M’s! W00T!

  122. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 11:02 am

    I think most of us don’t think Morse is good because 1) he doesn’t have good tools and 2) he doesn’t have good minor league numbers.

  123. msb on April 10th, 2008 11:02 am

    Speaking of commercials, what does Ichiro! say at the end of his when he’s getting fitted for the suit? I can’t make it out.

    “nice contest, bro. thanks”

  124. zzyzx on April 10th, 2008 11:03 am

    Darn, as I was posting it, they changed it.

  125. Dave on April 10th, 2008 11:03 am

    Uhh, how the hell did Yuni not get that ball? That was a routine grounder.

  126. Taylor H on April 10th, 2008 11:04 am

    Man, Iwamura’s haircut sure is gross.

  127. jimmylauderdale on April 10th, 2008 11:04 am

    Ummm, so, which is the real score, Gamecast or Gameday?

  128. Taylor H on April 10th, 2008 11:05 am

    They’re both correct.

  129. ocelot on April 10th, 2008 11:05 am

    The real score is 1-0 Rays.

  130. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 11:06 am

    Did Blow just call him Poppa Pena?

  131. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 11:07 am

    120: Sexson is still hitless in the game, with walk and strike out.

  132. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:07 am

    Would Wilkerson have had that?

  133. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:07 am

    Would Wilkerson have had that?

  134. JerBear on April 10th, 2008 11:08 am

    Nothing like making an easy play look hard…

  135. Dave on April 10th, 2008 11:08 am

    That was a nice play – I thought hit as soon as Upton made contact.

  136. Dayve on April 10th, 2008 11:08 am

    Horrible catch by Morse. He should have stayed on his feet.

  137. sotellop on April 10th, 2008 11:08 am

    lol nice play morse

  138. Jar on April 10th, 2008 11:08 am

    Morris defensive gem?

  139. r0ry on April 10th, 2008 11:09 am

    118: Tampa’s field is pretty hard, I think Yuni would have had it on natural grass.

    How about that worst outfielder in the league huh?

  140. EastCoastMsFan on April 10th, 2008 11:09 am

    Yowzers. Give credit where credit is due. That was a nice play by Morse.

  141. JWay on April 10th, 2008 11:10 am

    Looked good to me.

  142. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 11:13 am

    Those Mariner half-innings go awfully quick.

  143. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:13 am

    The way the balls go through the infield in this park, and with the drunken defense the M’s have been employing so far, I bet Silva is thanking his lucky stars he doesn’t get a start here.

  144. Dayve on April 10th, 2008 11:13 am

    Nah. When you suck, you suck.

  145. Taylor H on April 10th, 2008 11:14 am

    What the hell is wrong with Gameday now? Apparently it’s still an 0-1 count on Akinori Iwamura in the fourth????

  146. UofMichgoMs on April 10th, 2008 11:14 am

    Just came in. Is Jackson just hitting his spots today or is the Mariners offense sputtering? He looked pretty good in the half inning I just saw despite the help from the M’s.

  147. JerBear on April 10th, 2008 11:15 am

    ok, it was a decent play by Morse. Not very pretty, but good. I suppose I’ve been spoiled by watching Ichiro in right field all these years.

  148. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 11:16 am

    Ahh, another exciting Sexson at-bat…yawwwwn!

  149. metz123 on April 10th, 2008 11:16 am

    Is MLB.audio down for everyone else also? I get 1 word then it closes the connection.

  150. jzalman on April 10th, 2008 11:16 am

    Gameday just had the lineups/home-away switched, so Hinske looked like Sexson. It’s corrected, but Gameday is still messed up.

  151. UofMichgoMs on April 10th, 2008 11:17 am

    149-I have audio

  152. the other benno on April 10th, 2008 11:17 am

    Who should be more insulted – Sexson or Hinske?

  153. DKCecil on April 10th, 2008 11:17 am

    Ibanez playing “defense”.

  154. JI on April 10th, 2008 11:17 am

    Ladies and Gentlemen, RAUL IBANEZ!

  155. UofMichgoMs on April 10th, 2008 11:18 am

    Morse would have gotten to that ball

  156. msb on April 10th, 2008 11:18 am

    so, do I believe Niehaus on that Ibanez play, or go with my own instincts?

  157. Sentinel on April 10th, 2008 11:18 am

    How many more of those futile attempts by Raul will it take to get him out of LF?

  158. Dave on April 10th, 2008 11:18 am

    Ibanez got closer to that than I thought he would. That was a true gapper. I’m not sure how many LFs make that play, honestly.

  159. JWay on April 10th, 2008 11:19 am

    Ibanez showed some serious hustle….

  160. Sentinel on April 10th, 2008 11:19 am

    Who should be more insulted – Sexson or Hinske?

    Hinske. Definitely Hinske.

  161. JI on April 10th, 2008 11:20 am

    Well that just plain sucks.

  162. Spanky on April 10th, 2008 11:21 am

    Dave…on several occasions this year, you’ve mentioned that Yuni’s range has not been what it was (including earlier today). What’s up with that? Have you heard anything about why his range has diminished? Contract contentness (if I can make that be a word)?

  163. msb on April 10th, 2008 11:21 am

    I hate being dependent on the radio in games like these– for example, is it the pitching of Jackson or the hitting of the Mariners, or both, leading to this scintillating offensive output?

  164. JWay on April 10th, 2008 11:22 am

    If Batista gets us through 6 and only giving up 2 runs, we should be in a position to steal a game….

  165. Kunkoh on April 10th, 2008 11:23 am

    Looks like M’s are averaging ~ 3.3 pitches per plate appearance? Is Jackson just pitching really well, or what? That’s probably why it feels like our half of the inning is flying by.

  166. jzalman on April 10th, 2008 11:23 am

    Hinske, Gomes, and Difelice are beating the Mariners 2-0. Sigh.

  167. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 11:24 am

    146/163, he is really hitting spots. He is going strike one with 93 at the bottom of the knees on a lot of guys. He’s keeping the ball down really well.

  168. Ruuupe on April 10th, 2008 11:24 am

    You know, 2 runs over 6 innings is a pretty decent outing for a number 5 starter.

  169. Dave on April 10th, 2008 11:26 am

    It’s a combination of Jackson pitching well and the M’s having a lousy approach at the plate. Jackson’s got good stuff, so it’s not a surprise that he’s getting Ks, but the M’s are just not making him work. Morse got a four pitch walk, then Johjima followed by swinging at a first pitch slider. That’s just stupid.

    As for Yuni, he’s gotten bigger. He’s just clearly not the same defender he was 2 years ago.

  170. msb on April 10th, 2008 11:26 am

    Rizzs: “…if the Mariners can score 7 runs in this inning…”

    [snerk]

  171. BigB on April 10th, 2008 11:27 am

    OK, this is bizarre… MLB GameDay has M’s up 1-0 on a Sexson HR, and ESPN has the Rays up 1-0 on a Hinske HR.

    I’ve got 2-0 Rays with a Vidro homer as the only scoring in the game… in the BOTTOM of the 4th for Tampa… did we trade him?

    I hate Yahoo! sometimes…

  172. jzalman on April 10th, 2008 11:27 am

    168 – Yeah, imagine if it were 0 runs over 6! That’s not Shields out there.

  173. crazyray7391 on April 10th, 2008 11:28 am

    171

    That just goes to show how many people really care about this game.

  174. JI on April 10th, 2008 11:28 am

    …if Yuni isn’t playing above average defense then he really isn’t all that good.

  175. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:28 am

    See!? If Morse! just got more starts he’d … do more of that.

    If Batista gets us through 6 and only giving up 2 runs, we should be in a position to steal a game….

    Well, the M’s bullpen has nothing of the comfortable reliability it had last year, but based on what we’ve seen this series it still matches up very well against TB’s (damning with faint praise, I realize). What worries me about bullpen usage in this game is that it handcuffs the team for the Angels series. And since we can’t count on McLaren to make optimal use of what he has available. (Then again, sometimes those handcuffs force him to make smart decisions he otherwise wouldn’t make…)

  176. Sentinel on April 10th, 2008 11:29 am

    I’ve got 2-0 Rays with a Vidro homer as the only scoring in the game… in the BOTTOM of the 4th for Tampa… did we trade him?

    Don’t get my hopes up.

  177. Jack Howland on April 10th, 2008 11:30 am

    The Mariners look like a team who have a plane to catch.

  178. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 11:30 am

    Rizzs: “…if the Mariners can score 7 runs in this inning…”

    Hey, it might actually be snowing outside Tropicana Field right now as well! :)

  179. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 11:30 am

    Cue the bullpen!

  180. JI on April 10th, 2008 11:32 am

    Harder than converting to… say… catcher Blowers?

  181. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 11:33 am

    So why not reliever? EOF was needed at the top of this inning.

    Great, Mac makes the change two batters too late.

  182. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:33 am

    Hey, it might actually be snowing outside Tropicana Field right now as well!

    Satan lives in Tampa? I’d buy that.

  183. jzalman on April 10th, 2008 11:33 am

    Do they let Batista give Pena the HR first, or pull him now?

  184. JI on April 10th, 2008 11:33 am

    Holy crap! Good bullpen management?

  185. metz123 on April 10th, 2008 11:34 am

    I’m really hating the new MLB.com services. I can’t get gameday audio to work on my mac so I switch over to the PC. MLB.com tells me I’m logged into multiple machines which violates my terms of service. Even after logging back in and back out on the mac (on their site) it tells me I’m logged in. What a piece of crap. It kills me when huge conglomerates whose sole existence is based on their monopolistic control of their product can’t manage to offer services that work.

    Time to bring a radio into work for these afternoon games….

  186. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 11:35 am

    Today on Arson Squad: Seattle, “Firefighter” O’Flaherty tries to see if he can really put this game out of reach…

  187. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 11:35 am

    Put in EOF, a guy whose been knocked around, with two runners on base, no outs and Carlos Pena and BJ Upton coming up. Not exactly a recipe for success.

  188. Mr. Egaas on April 10th, 2008 11:36 am

    What is the score? All of the online services have been back and forth with what’s actually happening.

  189. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 11:37 am

    CBS Sportsline seems to be working fine. It is 2-0 Tampa.

  190. BurkeForPres on April 10th, 2008 11:37 am

    This doesn’t look good…

  191. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 11:37 am

    Well that’s great.

  192. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 11:37 am

    Gamecast recorded EOF’s pitch that hit Pena as being in the strike zone.

  193. RoninX on April 10th, 2008 11:37 am

    @188 – I belive ESPN has it right, with us trailing 0-2

  194. JI on April 10th, 2008 11:37 am

    bringing the lefty against Pena is a good idea, leaving him in for Upton…

  195. Benne on April 10th, 2008 11:38 am

    Dammit.

  196. msb on April 10th, 2008 11:39 am

    Today on Arson Squad: Seattle, “Firefighter” O’Flaherty tries to see if he can really put this game out of reach…

    bingo.

  197. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:40 am

    I didn’t really expect EOL to be this year’s Mateo.

  198. Dave on April 10th, 2008 11:40 am

    There’s nothing to complain about with McLaren’s bullpen management here. O’Flaherty was the right call, but he’s just struggling. You can’t not use him, and this was the right situation to give him another chance.

  199. byronebyronian on April 10th, 2008 11:43 am

    One question…where is Lowe? He’s not the closer, so why is he the underused option in the BP?

  200. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 11:43 am

    Should O’Flaherty have been brought in earlier? I agree that EO should have been used, but why let Batista begin the inning, and, particularly, pitch to Crawford? If Mac was willing to bring in EO with no outs and two on, he should have been willing to bring him in with no outs and none on.

  201. JWay on April 10th, 2008 11:45 am

    puke :(

  202. Sports on a Schtick on April 10th, 2008 11:45 am

    Wouldn’t the right situation have been to start the inning with Eric instead of giving him the added pressure of men on base (not to mention two great hitters coming up)?

  203. jimmylauderdale on April 10th, 2008 11:46 am

    200- Maybe EOF wasn’t mentally prepared to pitch with none on?

  204. aaronsawyer1 on April 10th, 2008 11:46 am

    ouch

  205. JerBear on April 10th, 2008 11:46 am

    Well, guess I can get back to work now.

  206. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 11:47 am

    Roy-vay. :(

  207. jimmylauderdale on April 10th, 2008 11:47 am

    This game got out of hand with the quickness.

  208. Benne on April 10th, 2008 11:47 am

    Well, this game is pretty much over. Here’s to looking forward to Felix Day tomorrow.

  209. jzalman on April 10th, 2008 11:49 am

    Gotta love 3 pitcher innings.

  210. Mike G. on April 10th, 2008 11:49 am

    Well our win expectancy is at 0% which is pretty cool when we still have 6 outs left. At least we’ve taken 2 out of 3 series this year.

  211. Benne on April 10th, 2008 11:49 am

    What the hell is Dick Vitale doing there?

  212. confess on April 10th, 2008 11:49 am

    What in the world is Dicky doing there?

  213. pygmalion on April 10th, 2008 11:49 am

    205, 208: That about sums it up. Time to get on with other things and look forward to Felix.

  214. RoninX on April 10th, 2008 11:50 am

    The win “streak” was fun while it lasted. I know I shouldn’t, but I actually feel much better about the team then I did going into Tampa. The lineup changes in particular give me heart.

  215. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:50 am

    Over!? Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!?

  216. byronebyronian on April 10th, 2008 11:50 am

    When JJ comes back, are they going to keep Corcoran?

  217. msb on April 10th, 2008 11:51 am

    What the hell is Dick Vitale doing there?

    IIRC, he lives down there, and often goes to the games

  218. JI on April 10th, 2008 11:51 am

    I think Mac was trying to go as far as possible with Batista because our bullpen is a batter to batter proposition and burning up three relievers when you are losing, right before the Anaheim series, is a bad idea.

  219. mark the geeze on April 10th, 2008 11:51 am

    I’m afraid EOF just has the luck of the Irish right now( the bad luck). EO got ahead of every hitter they let him face . He ticked the shirt of pena on an inside fastball. Upton was able to sneak a groundball out of the infield off of Sexsons glove and the next guy couldnt even hit the ball past him. My opinion is that EOF was throwing fine and is just having a run of bad luck lately

  220. jimmylauderdale on April 10th, 2008 11:52 am

    I believe Vitale lives in that area… I have heard him mention he follows the Rays.

  221. msb on April 10th, 2008 11:52 am

    GASP

    Cairo!!??!

  222. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:52 am

    Well, it’s good to know McLaren had a master plan for using Cairo.

  223. Mike G. on April 10th, 2008 11:53 am

    It’s true what they say, Cairo does exist!

  224. Sentinel on April 10th, 2008 11:53 am

    Vitale seems to like him.

  225. lailaihei on April 10th, 2008 11:54 am

    Dicky mentioned that Kazmir coming off the DL and Longoria coming up could make them legit… And I agree. They’ve already been doing a fine job.

  226. drakelelane on April 10th, 2008 11:54 am

    I can’t remember when it happened, but Dickie V is now a cartoon character. CGI has come a long way, baby.

    Quite a contrast between him and the lifeless Blowers.

  227. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:55 am

    I think McLaren was waiting for a role to appear so he could slot a guy into it. “Reliever who starts an inning before the 8th or 9th” is not a role McLaren recognizes.

    “We’ve got versatility (everywhere),” McLaren said. “But right now it’s not doing us any good. We’ve got to wait for guys to find their roles. Right now, we’re doing the best we can. And it’s not working out.”

  228. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 11:55 am

    I believe Vitale lives in that area… I have heard him mention he follows the Rays.

    Yes, Vitale does live down there. He showed up at one of the Lightning’s home games during the Stanley Cup finals a few years back as well, and mentioned that he did.

  229. JWay on April 10th, 2008 11:55 am

    stuck around long enough for Dicky V. Kinda sad that march madness is over.

  230. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 11:56 am

    So Cairo finally gets an AB. WFB too. Does Jimerson get to make an appearance. Will Mac always treat his bench like the walk-ons on college basektball teams. Once the game is decided, he throws them a bone and lets them play.

  231. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 11:57 am

    Egads…a Cairo sighting!

  232. joser on April 10th, 2008 11:59 am

    Wait — defensive substitution for Raul? I think Satan is snowboarding past the dome.

  233. hark on April 10th, 2008 11:59 am

    215 – I think you mean the Japanese. Closest Germans ever got to American soil were U-Boats of the EAST coast. Just saying.

    Oh, look, Willie Boom-Boom. Cairo, Willie…good to have you replace our defensive middle infield, not to mention two of our hottest bats. Don’t you just love giving up late in the game? I know I do.

  234. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 12:00 pm

    Jimerson too. Hooray!

    So Dave, DMZ, anyone else who has more insight than me (and that’s a large group), do you expect and roster changes prior to tomorrow night’s game (with October intensity!) against LAA. I believe that Mac is craving another pitcher because Baek will simply not be used.

  235. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 12:01 pm

    #232 — 215 was referencing an Animal House quote, as far as I know.

  236. crazyray7391 on April 10th, 2008 12:02 pm

    233

    We don’t have to change anything. The Angels are still shaking in their boots after the beating we gave them in that spring training game.

  237. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 12:03 pm

    Gee, I wonder if Sexy will get another at-bat? I’m looking forward to yet another one of his meaningless solo home runs!

  238. thewyrm on April 10th, 2008 12:03 pm

    232- I propose a new drinking game. Every time someone posts the rally speech from Animal House, you know one of the most famous lines in cinema history, and someone corrects them thinking they actually don’t know who attacked Pearl Harbor you take a shot.

  239. lailaihei on April 10th, 2008 12:04 pm

    So… Is Edwin Jackson actually good this year? Two really solid starts so far, and maybe it was slightly more than just variance helping him out.

    Felix day tomorrow! Anyone going? I am.

  240. Mike G. on April 10th, 2008 12:05 pm

    Hey, we finally chased Jackson out of the game.

  241. JWay on April 10th, 2008 12:05 pm

    Here comes the Richie Sexson meaningless solo Home Run job…

  242. jimmylauderdale on April 10th, 2008 12:06 pm

    I have a hard time believing Jimerson is the best ANY team can do for a 4th OF.

  243. JMHawkins on April 10th, 2008 12:06 pm

    Wait — defensive substitution for Raul? I think Satan is snowboarding past the dome.

    Not a defensive substitution. Just giving Raul an early shower with the game out of reach. Mac would never pull Raul in a critical situation.

  244. apunetid on April 10th, 2008 12:07 pm

    Wait, Jimerson only has 9 career ABs, and in those he has hit 2 home runs?

  245. JMHawkins on April 10th, 2008 12:07 pm

    Our offense if offensive.

  246. Tek Jansen on April 10th, 2008 12:08 pm

    I can’t believe that Morse didn’t jump start the offense. He was awesom in spring training.

  247. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 12:09 pm

    Well, wasn’t that just a hideous little effort now.

  248. joser on April 10th, 2008 12:10 pm

    I propose a new drinking game. Every time someone posts the rally speech from Animal House, you know one of the most famous lines in cinema history, and someone corrects them thinking they actually don’t know who attacked Pearl Harbor you take a shot.

    Yeah. You know, I actually considered including a link but since we tripped over this very example of pop-culture illiteracy more than once in the game threads last year, I figured I was safe (and it’s funny in a trollish sort of way when it happens anyway).

    And the movie turns 30 this year. Damn I feel old.

  249. joser on April 10th, 2008 12:16 pm

    ~250 posts. Anybody want to guess what the post count is going to be for the Thursday day game at Kansas City on September 18? I’m guessing, uh, lower.

  250. Benne on April 10th, 2008 12:18 pm

    Felix day tomorrow! Anyone going? I am.

    I’ll be there. It will be my first time seeing Felix in person, and I’m totally psyched.

  251. Mike G. on April 10th, 2008 12:21 pm

    Pony Alert: Even the best line-ups put a couple of 0’s on the board through out the course of a season. 2 games out of 3 is good it just comes in the wake of the Baltimore Massacre.

  252. scott19 on April 10th, 2008 12:24 pm

    Look on the bright side…at least we’re still ahead of the Tigers in the Wild Card race. :)

  253. Karen on April 10th, 2008 12:28 pm

    I.e., 2 out of 7…

  254. SCL on April 10th, 2008 12:37 pm

    … But there will be no meaningless solo Home Run job today for mighty Richie has struck out.

  255. thewyrm on April 10th, 2008 12:39 pm

    247- Another example, that scene in Say Anything where John Cuzack holds the boom box over his head. One of the most famous scenes in the history of film. It has permeated every aspect of pop culture. I made reference to it to one of my roomates and she was like “What?” She had never heard of it or the movie. How is that even possible? It is literally one of the most recognizable moments in the history of film! Well anyway, later that night we are watching Family Guy and the creepy old dude stands outside the sons window and plays a phnongraph while holding it over his head. I was like “See!”

  256. Rick L on April 10th, 2008 12:42 pm

    I think it’s time to send EOF down and give someone else a chance. Rhodes?

  257. msb on April 10th, 2008 12:42 pm

    ooh, postgame show comments that patience would have been a very good things in several notable at-bats.

  258. HamNasty on April 10th, 2008 1:09 pm

    If there was ever a good game to miss cause of a Logic test that would be it. Glad I wasn’t around to watch that. My drinking would have started much earlier.

  259. Breadbaker on April 10th, 2008 1:11 pm

    I propose a new drinking game. Every time someone posts the rally speech from Animal House, you know one of the most famous lines in cinema history, and someone corrects them thinking they actually don’t know who attacked Pearl Harbor you take a shot

    Only it has to be done Belushi-style, where you take a quart of Wild Turkey, smash off the neck and chug the whole thing.

  260. Jay R. on April 10th, 2008 1:37 pm

    I was Jack Daniels.

    Drink! =)

  261. Jay R. on April 10th, 2008 1:37 pm

    it*

    I will drink one for that error.

  262. Mike Honcho on April 10th, 2008 1:39 pm

    256 – What, exactly, did EOF do wrong today?? He hit his spots, got ground balls, and did his job. Bad luck on the Pena HBP and the Upton grounder did him in.

    He was fine today.

  263. JMHawkins on April 10th, 2008 1:39 pm

    247- Another example, that scene in Say Anything where John Cuzack holds the boom box over his head. One of the most famous scenes in the history of film…

    Riiiight. Just like Clete Thomas is the Adam Jones of Detroit.

  264. scraps on April 10th, 2008 2:25 pm

    It is a very famous scene. Maybe not Adam Jones, but well above Clete Thomas.

  265. mark the geeze on April 10th, 2008 2:28 pm

    256-

    At least somebody sees things the way that I do

  266. jlc on April 10th, 2008 2:38 pm

    msb – Thanks for the Ichiro quote. It’s been driving me nuts.

  267. JMHawkins on April 10th, 2008 2:55 pm

    It is a very famous scene…

    I wouldn’t call it one of the most famous scenes in the history of film. I mean, c’mon. We’re talking “Do ya feel lucky, Punk?” and “I’ll be back”. Not to mention “Rosebud.” and “Frankly, my dear…”, or “I’m shocked, shocked!…”.

    “Adriaaaan!”
    “Shane, come back!”
    “You talkin’ to me?”
    “You know how to whistle, don’tcha?”

    I mean, that’s like saying Jose Lopez is a Hall of Famer cause he made it to the All Star game once.

  268. Mat on April 10th, 2008 3:01 pm

    I mean, that’s like saying Jose Lopez is a Hall of Famer cause he made it to the All Star game once.

    I think if we’re making HOF analogies, it’s fair to put that scene on the level of a player who plays for a team for a long team, is a fan favorite, and clearly deserves to have his number retired…but just as clearly doesn’t belong in the HOF.

  269. JMHawkins on April 10th, 2008 3:16 pm

    I think if we’re making HOF analogies, it’s fair to put that scene on the level of a player who plays for a team for a long team, is a fan favorite, and clearly deserves to have his number retired…but just as clearly doesn’t belong in the HOF

    The Dan Wilson of movie scenes?

  270. Benne on April 10th, 2008 4:47 pm

    The Dan Wilson of movie scenes?

    Nah, more like David Eckstein.

  271. currcoug on April 10th, 2008 5:55 pm

    Things might look a whole lot worse by Monday.

  272. BillyJive on April 10th, 2008 6:09 pm

    Johjima for Griffey and bring Clement up…

    *grin*

  273. maalox on April 10th, 2008 6:26 pm

    Is there anything that indicates that Joh’s batting ability has seriously declined? I mean, this is a guy that hit .287/.322/.433 last year. He’s not terrible.

  274. Chiro1623 on April 10th, 2008 6:29 pm

    If the Mariners kept Morse in the lineup on a regular basis,his production would be enhanced. He is NOT a bench player. His defense is not that bad considering he’s only played about 7 games in right field. He is not an outfielder but an infielder.

  275. cwel87 on April 10th, 2008 6:41 pm

    If the Mariners kept Morse in the lineup on a regular basis,his production would be enhanced. He is NOT a bench player. His defense is not that bad considering he’s only played about 7 games in right field. He is not an outfielder but an infielder.

    Morse is really, really bad. His career OPS in the minors is sub-.800. There’s not really much to be excited about at all with his game. His fielding is downright Sexson-esque, and his batting leaves much to be desired.

    I prefer Jimerson absolutely all the way if we’re so set on platooning Wilkerson, who is an even-split between LHP and RHP over his career. This is the absolute antithesis of Raul, who drops off the face of the planet when facing lefties, and is a horrifying LF.

    At least Jimerson can field.

  276. Teej on April 10th, 2008 7:14 pm

    If the Mariners kept Morse in the lineup on a regular basis,his production would be enhanced.

    The guy was bad as a regular in the minors. He would be bad as a regular in the majors. He’s overmatched at the plate, and his defense is inadequate whether in the infield or the outfield.

    On a personal-feelings level, I’m happy for Morse that he’s getting his shot, and I root for him like crazy, but let’s not go overboard and suggest that he’s anything close to worthy of a full-time gig — especially on a team that plans on contending for a playoff spot in the American League.

  277. mark the geeze on April 10th, 2008 7:50 pm

    Julio Mateo is starting against tacoma tonight.

  278. lailaihei on April 10th, 2008 8:14 pm

    Johjima for Griffey and bring Clement up…

    *grin*

    *stab*

  279. Jeff Nye on April 10th, 2008 9:00 pm

    Wow. Irrational Morse love AND a Griffey trade suggestion, all in the same comment thread.

  280. joser on April 10th, 2008 9:13 pm

    Wow. Irrational Morse love AND a Griffey trade suggestion, all in the same comment thread.

    At least one of those was sarcastic.

  281. Jeff Nye on April 10th, 2008 9:16 pm

    But which one? I can never tell anymore, after some of the Mike Morse-related posts this season!

  282. The Unkown Comic on April 10th, 2008 10:14 pm

    [button violation]

  283. thewyrm on April 11th, 2008 2:06 am

    Just for the record, I was not passing any kind of judgement on that scene from Say Anything. I know there are a lot of other scenes much better than that one, but it is still incredibly famous. As evidenced by it being used repeatedly in all kinds of spoofs, and most people knowing instantly exactly what scene it is being spoofed/homaged. i.e. my Family Guy reference.

    I really don’t want anything to happen to Johjima. He needs to break out of this slump because 1- Clement is not ready to be an every day catcher at the MLB level, 2- Burke (while awesome) should not be starting every day either, 3- Joh was the first Mariner who’s jersey I ever bought so I have an irrational love for him.

    Come on Joh! We know you can hit, prove it!

  284. Jake N. on April 11th, 2008 5:32 am

    A lot off people here still back EOF because they feel he has the skill set. Maybe true, but those skills are failing him. He is young and his mental side of the game is stopping him from using his skills. He is not ready at this point to see any more big league hitters. He has taken enough beat downs and can aford no more set backs. EOF needs to pitch in Tacoma a while where his brain will not get in the way of us winning.

  285. msb on April 11th, 2008 7:43 am

    you know, I don’t think the e-mails ever went out to the rest of the division, the ones telling them that they were all going to struggle this season …

  286. Dave on April 11th, 2008 7:51 am

    Seriously, 5 innings of struggles and a guy needs to pitch in Tacoma? What is wrong with you guys?

  287. matthew on April 11th, 2008 8:52 am

    Nice to see Adam Jones on ESPN’s top plays (#6.) What an awesome diving catch.

    In other words, a1 :(

  288. msb on April 11th, 2008 9:05 am

    Seriously, 5 innings of struggles and a guy needs to pitch in Tacoma? What is wrong with you guys?

    geez, Dave, things need to be fixed right now! immediately! I mean, there are only 152 games left!

    it could be worse, I suppose:
    “Rays reliever Al Reyes was arrested early Friday morning after “falling down, picking a fight and spitting blood at the patrons of a popular Hyde Park night spot,” according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times. Reyes was celebrating his 38th birthday on Thursday following the Rays’ 7-0 win, their first victory in the past five games.”

  289. BringUpBalentien on April 11th, 2008 9:07 am

    I was at last night’s Tacoma game, too. Not only was Mateo there, but Justin Leone was in center field. I didn’t know he could play there; he should have been there for the M’s instead of Randy Winn in 04. “Sigh”

  290. BringUpBalentien on April 11th, 2008 9:09 am

    Sorry, Leone was playing for the Giant’s team, Fresno-not Tacoma. Just clarification.

  291. currcoug on April 11th, 2008 12:19 pm

    Morse is going to do a good job this weekend, if McLaren actually plays him. One hopes, however, that Balentien assumes the RF position sooner than later.

    Balentien is off to a strange start at Tacoma, posting a .000 OPS (0-6) against lefties, but .946 OPS against righties.

  292. scott19 on April 11th, 2008 12:50 pm

    288: Given the FO’s policy of acquiring only players deemed to be “family friendly,” that Reyes story may be a blessing in disguise — i.e. one less potential Gas Can candidate for the stretch drive.

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