Game 91, Mariners at Athletics
DMZ · July 9, 2008 at 6:05 pm · Filed Under Game Threads
Batista v Blanton. Batista! He’s back, in starter form! 7:05.
Mariner lineup, by OBP
RF-L .360
2B-R .318
LF-L .344
1B-R .315
1B-B .260
3B-R .324
CF-L .340
DH-R .260
C-L .274
SS-R .278
(AL average up to today is .332)
Comments
119 Responses to “Game 91, Mariners at Athletics”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Just got a slingbox, can now watch the Mariners sucktitude online away from home. yay.
Batista may be back as a starter, but are we sure what form he’ll be in?
Alert! We may have an incoming Clubhouse Mood Report.
Bufalo cornered Shannon and told her he wanted to tell the people of Seattle how things are going in the clubhouse, especially as he is going to be here for a good long while.
Listen in to the 2nd half of the pre-game show for the clubhouse report.
(AL average up to today is .332)
Wait, what are you saying? You might want to talk to other teams in the AL West. Speaking after last night’s game:
I mean, what — who am I supposed to believe? A practicing baseball professional? Or some number on some blog?
Is Richie’s defense so bad we’re getting to play two first basemen tonight?
Batista may be back as a starter, but are we sure what form he’ll be in?
Yeah, that’s a tough one. When he and Washburn do the “WonderTwin powers….activate!” ring-touch, Washburn always picks “Shape of an angry chipmunk!” but with Batista it could be “Form of insubstantial mist!” or “Pile of inert ice cubes!” or “Puddle of lukewarm water!”
The key work there is some. Some means, generally, slightly more than none and significantly less than all. We do have some good hitters.
you know. Riggleball = Platoons.
BTW? it’s bad enough having to hear the ads for The Commentators, but when they start running long and annoying ads for/by O’Reilly…
I actually like this manager. At least he doesn’t start the same guy every night. One of the complaints I had with Mac was that it was the SAME lineup EVERY night. At least this guy is more laid-back and is mixing it up.
I just dont know why Johjima is still in the lineup. I mean, he is horrible. Why not get Rob Johnson and have him platoon with Clement. Give the both of them the 2nd half of the season to get their feet wet in the Majors, and then start the better one next year.
via Baker:
“Vidro will offer some incentive for pitchers not to walk Ibanez intentionally, or pitch around him”
“Vidro is also a guy who puts the ball in-play. Not like he once did. Not like Grace in his prime. But he can put it in-play. And reputation still matters in this game. Sometimes, it carries as much weight as current stats.”
We are all just a little bit dumber after reading that…
Today’s Clubhouse Mood: mostly
paraphrasing Silva:
“we have a great team, and everybody is fighting and working so hard, I am with them every day, people don’t understand that– in Seattle we have good fans, and we need that support from fans, and from the writers, and from everybody … if we stick together, players and fans and reporters, no matter what, it would make a big difference.”
I’m not going to say that Baker is an idiot or anything close to that. I do realize that he’s an intelligent man, one that is much smarter than I, but I have come to disrespect him more and more each and every day.
more from Bufalo– these quotes are so much better when said cheerfully with a nice Venezuelan accent:
“it’s hard to talk to Ichiro, he’s really busy, he’s always doing something– maybe that’s why he is a such a good player, he works so hard”
“Richie is a super, super nice guy, when they boo him I feel so bad”
According to Riggleman: 2008 Jose Vidro = 1998 Mark Grace
It’s been a while since I have been in Algebra, but usually both sides of an equation need to be the same to put that little symbol in an equation. Even with fuzzy math, the sides should be similar.
Sometimes I wonder if Baker is following the same team we are.
Argh, teh stoopid–it burns!!!
On the other hand, I finally turned 21 last week, so I get to be good and numb by the time Batista has his obligatory 3rd-inning meltdown.
honestly, I am stoked that there’s an intelligent and irascible sports writer in our town. Especially because he perpetuates this awesome cycle that I don’t know if I’ll ever tire of reading. One dumb poster says something stupid with the sincerity of an angry pope, Baker proceeds to flay him and others for being idiots, then more dumb and sincere people jump in an say something stupid, which incites Baker to say something else that hammers them. It’s awesome.
And by the way, IMFletcher, he follows up your convenient quotes with, “Is this logic perfect? Of course not.” and precedes your quotes with, “Even with an OPS of .571, easily making him one of the worst hitters in all of baseball, Riggleman feels that Vidro offers him the best shot at “protecting” Raul Ibanez when a righthanded pitcher is on the mound.”
I’m going capriciously avoid using any quotes that will make Baker look stupid to keep my point intact.
Can we please not go here in the game thread?
As referenced in “Wednesday’s fun fact”, Willie is leading the team with a .361 OBP and is well above his previous two seasons of .320. His batting average is a little lower than normal meaning that his 17 walks have been the cause of his increased OBP. Basically the difference between this year and say his 2006 season comes down to about seven walks per 100 ABs. I doubt that pace will keep up, but it could be interesting to watch.
087 – Consecutive games without an XBH
170 – Consecutive at bats without an XBH
196 – Consecutive PAs without an XBH
101 – 2008 season ABs with no XBH
120 – 2008 season PAs with no XBH
Unofficial records:
100 – Consecutive games without an XBH – Greg Gross
223 – Consecutive at bats without an XBH – Jose Valdivielso
266 – Consecutive PAs without an XBH – Larry Lintz
124 – Full season ABs with no XBH – Dwain Anderson
144 – Full season PAs with no XBH – Dwain Anderson
MattThompson:
I agree
wow, my post sounded nasty. sorry. meant to be funny. so much for that. by the way, posters here often don’t qualify as stupid. I’ll take that plaque today.
brothermatt-
via = by way of. It doesn’t mean that those are his inner most thoughts.
I was merely citing my references (Derek insists on sources!) of the origins that our wise manager put forth.
Meatball.
Jack Cust and USSMariner swears.
Geoff Baker, is that you…?
Not excited about this game tonight. The lineup almost made me puke, and the sad thing is it’s one of the better ones in awhile…
Chemistry boosting pre-game warm-up, Vidro and Batista:
“Wonder twins power, activate! Form of a starting pitcher!”
“Form of a professional hitter!”
It’s as effective as hoping!
The question is, which one is Zan, and which one is Jayna? (I bet Zan is Batista, since pitchers are associated with water.)
Batista still sucks, yup.
He’s done for the day, get him out of there.
Who is warming up?
Rick Griffin has eagle eyes.
PMC:
Jamie Burke
Gameday says it is The Feed.
I’m watching Gameday, what happened to Batista?
3 days rest?
Batista was washing his car, when he sneezed and dropped a suitcase on his foot.
return of the groin strain.
Truck.
I didn’t see this yet. Ichiro might participate in the Home Run Derby?
The article talks about him going to the All Star game and trying to be a repeat MVP.
btw, wasn’t the word de jour for Joe Blanton “struggling”?
Did anyone read the game previews to the Mariner batters?
Willie Bloomquist would have caught that ball.
Can anyone tell me what in god’s name Reed is doing batting 7th?
nah. as they do every year, the local writers all asked him if he’d participate, (based on the fun watching him in BP) Ichiro said again what he says every year– if I’m asked. In past years he also has added that he thought no one would want to watch him do it …
my favorite line:
“Ichiro said the fact the Midsummer Classic is being played during the final season of Yankee Stadium will make this one special — partly because he won’t be there as a visiting player.
“I usually go there as an opponent and get booed by the fans,” Ichiro said. “But this time, I am not going there as an opponent, so I guess part of me is a little disappointed that I don’t get to get booed in my last appearance there.”"
SEND THE RUNNER!!!! Dammit Lopez!
And he didn’t send Turbo on the Beltre single?
43:
Another in a long line of classic Ichiro! quotes
If I were the coach of the Mariners I would bench Lopez for not having looked at the third base coach.
The Feed is looking pretty good. I don’t understand why they don’t stretch the guy out and make him a starter.
Hamilton!
47:
I think that bridge was burned long ago. Given the team’s propensity for goofy plays both on and off the base paths, you have to wonder how many of the players are just tuning everything out.
In all honesty, outside of Felix, Morrow, and Ichiro, does this team currently have any real assets?
Oh, and Jones’ OPS was over .800 for June…
Terrible cut off throw by Lopez.
Well, Lopez did score eventually, and I don’t think Turbo would’ve made it to 3rd, so did it actually make any real difference in the inning?
Meanwhile, my money is on Batista ironing his uniform while wearing it. On the mound, when nobody was looking.
Or maybe he fell asleep between pitches and scared himself by dreaming of spiders.
OK, I rarely say this, but that was a dirty play by the baserunner.
The Feed, indeed.
FFed.
Frackin’ BS. That was crap. Hanrahan should’ve been tossed from the game for dirty play. He frackin’ tackled Clement.
You expect a hit like that in the NFL, where it’s legal. That’s got no place in baseball.
Maybe The Feed needed more than three days rest while they were stretching him out as a starter.
To quote Red… “Dumbass.”
That was awesome. My level of manlove for Josh Hamilton is rivaled only by my forever-burning manlove of Eric Davis.
Former Mariner Alert:
Derek Lowe has a perfect game through 6.
That was a pretty cheap shot, Clement gave him the whole left side of the plate to slide in on.
Oh, and Jones’ OPS was over .800 for June…
Yeah, but haven’t you heard the wisdom of the crowds here? He got called up twice for short stints with the M’s and “never hit” therefore he won’t ever hit, ever. This is all some kind of small sample size aberration that will average itself away shortly. For another example, see Clement, who also hasn’t hit and therefore deserved to be sent down. Or that Alex something guy, played shortstop for the M’s a few years back, went .204/.241/.204 when he came up from the minors, not sure what happened to him. I mean, it’s not like you can go from a line like that at the start of your career to being the best player in the majors or something. Which is why it was no loss trading Jones for Bedard in the offseason. I mean, I read that everywhere, from all the those folks who said the M’s were sure postseason contenders.
sadly, no Ellison in this game.
Yuck foo, Vose Jidro!
Hamilton!
Off K-Rod, against the hated Angels, down by one with a man on, in a 3-1 count, for a come-from-behind win. That’s the kind of natural high that should keep him rolling.
that was eerily similiar to what happened in the bottom of the 4th.
Now stop picking on Jose Lopez.
so, I guess it is a good thing that no one immediately benched Lopez.
deja vu
See that? That’s how a clean play is made. You slide in and around the guy.
And Suzuki had the plate blocked more than Clement did.
Cheap, cheap shot. (Not Ichiro. The other guy.)
OK, I have to admit, there are a fair number of sins that a bases clearing double will forgive.
Sims sounds so surprized.
“Uh… Mariners take the lead!?!?!”
Clement was still waiting for the ball to arrive when Hanahan ran through him.
I think I’ll just shut my mouth for a while. I still think they should have benched him.
Safe!!! I love it.
whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?
Cosmic justice!.
Also, btw, a totally illegal play by Suzuki there.
Poetic justice. Complete poetic justice. The catcher tries to uses his body to block off the base, and it backfires on him. Beautiful.
this is one wacky game.
59 – that was a cheap shot. I wonder if that guy would have done that to Kenji. I think that would start a fight with Pudge.
I’m watching the A’s simulcast of this game on CSN right now (I live in the Reno area) and that had to be one of the strangest plays ever. The replay showed that Ibanez was OUT, though. We got a lucky break – too bad our pitching staff can’t get one.
I thought you couldn’t block a base prior to catching the ball, which is what it looks like he did.
76… perhaps something for the second edition of the Cheater’s Guide?
Emergency Catcher Blowers was just completely baffled as to why Suzuki would have turned away like that.
Hmm, I’m trying to parse “nvn8v” and failing. Nevada Nate Five?
I’m guessing that the umpire called him safe because of the little kick he gave after the slide to block his foot. Similar to if a shortstop uses the glove (with ball) to push a base stealer’s hand off of second base. His hand may leave the bag, but he’s not out due to the illegal play.
I would have liked to see Rauuuuuul crush Suzuki for what they did to Clement.
is Roger Hansen still with the team? I’d love for someone to ask him about those two plays.
Nevada n8V, N-eight-v; Nevada Native; NVN8IVE would have been better
Why are we playing both Joh and Clement? Joh is barely above the Mendoza Line, and Clement is WAAAAYY below that. Even Burke would be better.
oh DUH. No, that makes total sense, I’m just dumb tonight.
E Hawai`i e ku`u one hânau ê
Ku`u home kulaiwi nei
`Oli nô au i nâ pono lani ou
E Hawai`i Aloha ê
In a lost season you play the future, not the past. Of course, I say this after WFB has been starting 75% of the games the last several weeks.
Clement needs ABs to see what he can do against major league pitching. He’s had his moments (drove in all 3 runs in a win against Detroit over the weekend), and catcher is a pretty valuable position for a prospect. Since the season is gone, why not give the guy some playing time and see what happens? You can’t know if he’s a major leaguer until he plays.
As for Joh at DH… there really isn’t anyone else. Sexson? Cairo? Bloomquist?
Man, I think I’d like to see Riggles put Bloomie at DH just to see the reaction here.
Hanahan at bat… do you think Clement has a signal for “bean this guy”?
Better Willie than Vidro
Doogie rocks.
I was just thinking that.
hmm, whaa?
Doogie Hauser’s in an ad for Old Spice. It was quite funny, at least the first time.
Particularly given his current acting job and his actual orientation.
Howser, by the way, and those in the know (Harold & Kumar fans) prefer to call him NPH.
I agree that it’s awesome that Old Spice hired him to do the ads given his out-ness, but this commercial didn’t seem to make any reference to that. I mean, he wasn’t a crazy womanizer like on How I Met Your Mother.
dang. I missed NPH being groovy? I’m guessing I can find it online, however.
6 more days ’til Dr Horrible.
Ooh, yeah, Dr Horrible! Sounds like it’ll be awesome.
Ok, ok, I’m clearly in non-baseball mode tonight. Must comment on game… um… J. Lo is continuing to kick ass?
Not an overt reference, but one of those wink-wink references….
(I apparently have a pretty close degree of separation from NPH, given that one of the cast members of DOOGIE is married to a college friend of mine….)….
Go yard, Clement.
just remembered that on the way home Kurkjian was echoing what another national talking head said– there are a number of suitors for Bedard, and they all appear to think of him as a third starter.
Haircut day? wow. Buhner buzz or nothing else.
I know Ichiro is getting his hits now and even walking a bit these days but man … should we be a bit worried about his sudden lack of ability to do anything more? By my count, and it was a bit quick I admit so perhaps in error, his last XBH was a double on 6/14 – 23 games and 98 official ABs ago. Forget WFB, wherefore Ichiro?
… and by “getting his hits”, I meant “getting his singles” …
You work that count Pepe! Is it just me, or is this the most pitches he’s taken in an at bat all year?
100 for Morrow!
Look to Morrow for the definition of “Heat”.
It seems almost unfair to the A’s having to bat against this stuff, Morrow looks as good as JJ looked last year at times. And then … of course … he issues a 4 pitch walk. And .. game over! Waiting for Morrow … my season highlight.
Morrow! That fastball had a nasty spike to it.
Nice game. M’s caught some breaks, offense showed up at the right times and the bullpen held down the win.
I love watching Morrow. He’s the first guy I’ve been truly excited about since Felix. I love Clement and all, but…man, Morrow looks so. good.
man, Mulder just can’t win. First start back, leaves in the 1st with more shoulder trouble.
my, but Valle is NOT impressed with Hanrahan’s play at the plate.
per Drayer, the reporters coming out of the A’s clubhouse said that Suzuki says he slipped, and that was why he ended up backwards on the plate…
Good win by the M’s tonight.
Nice Simpsons reference DMZ.