Game 145, Rangers at Mariners
Dave · September 10, 2008 at 1:40 pm · Filed Under Mariners
1:40 PM, Millwood vs Jimenez.
The M’s are doing a bullpen game today due to Silva’s absence (with his wife for the birth of their child) and Washburn’s injury. If you love spring training games, this is for you.
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Reed at DH, Balentien in CF. Cairo playing 1B against a RHP with LaHair on the bench. I have to admit I have absolutely no idea what the plan is when it comes to Riggleman’s lineups. The comparison to spring training games is apt these days, if you ask me.
Did you know that Jimenez actually has a previous major league start? September 25, 2006, which as it happens, was another meaningless late-season afternoon game against a division rival. I’ve been thinking of him as a reliever for so long, it was a surprise to realize that he was still mostly starting in the minors back then.
I love the camera angle that shows the pitcher with Riggleman in the backround looking like a little league dad with his arms crossed watching his kid pitch.
Good luck to Jimenez today.
Jiminez’ first start didn’t go too well but the M’s won. Against Oakland, too, a rarity that year.
even more than yesterday?
At least Riggleman doesn’t dogmatically stick to certain habits whether they make sense or not (like certain previous M’s managers). Instead he seems to make out his lineup cards at random. So there’s at least a chance he’ll come up with a good/sensible one once in a while.
Hickey reminds us that “The Mariners are in that rare place today (Wednesday) where a loss this afternoon against Texas might not be the worst thing in the world.”
I guess I don’t have a problem with the lineups, per se, but I’d like to see Riggleman show an indication that he values defense more than I perceive he does. Why not Ibanez at DH and a Reed/Balentien/Suzuki outfield?
On the other hand, maybe Riggleman thinks Ibanez is the best option in LF. Cairo certainly isn’t playing today because of his bat…he must be in there for the improved defense.
boy Kenji has had bad luck this season– even more so that AB earlier this year.
Silva’s hurt. Silva’s having a baby. Silva can’t pitch. And people complain about Bedard not toughing it out?
So this is a bullpen-by-committee start for no better reason than Riggleman thinks there are too many rusting/cobwebby arms in the bullpen that need work? In that case, can somebody shove that up the, uh, nose of Hickey who yesterday, wrt the Joshua Fields ongoing non-signing, said
Really? They need bullpen help? Right now? Today? Why? The September callups are here. They aren’t in a pennant race. WTF are you talking about?
Normally I wouldn’t pay Hickey any attention, but I read that story because I was interested in the Fields situation. I personally think the M’s aren’t particularly eager to sign him at this point. Now that Morrow is in the rotation and the bullpen hasn’t collapsed and Lowe’s arm hasn’t fallen off, what use do they have for him? We said all along that drafting a reliever was a waste of a first-round pick; even if the compensatory pick doesn’t work out the M’s at least have a shot at getting a player they really need. One thing they know how to do is build bullpens on the cheap; why pay over slot for a guy like that? I know I’d rather take my chances on getting a more appropriate player than paying extra money just to obtain a guy who’s only going to give you one inning about every other game (no matter how great those innings might be).
So, if the Mariners can actually hang on to this early lead, I’m looking forward to the always-entertaining scorer’s discretion in deciding who the winning pitcher is.
Hey, bases loaded, no outs and we manage to get two runs on the board. Better than what we’re used to.
To show just how slow Ibanez is – even Jeff Clement can get a triple out of that play.
Bentacourt walks, Ibanez hits him in. Lopez moving a batter to 3rd. Why does it take til the end of the season to see some good fundamentals?
Because it’s taken this long to face Kevin Millwood?
(And yeah, I know the M’s have faced him twice already this year. They won both those games too.)
Nelson Cruz? who?
Cruz….. Sigh.
Time for Wells to have a seat.
Yes, we get it. Teagarden was on team USA. USA USA USA, and he blasts a homerun.
Maybe the Rangers will catch “Bavasi Disease” and since they will finish 2nd this year throw caution to the wind and look to trade for veteran SPs like Washburn and Silva and would be willing to part with 4A players like Cruz, etc who can’t help them win now.
I’ve been fairly impressed with Messenger. I’m looking forward to seeing how well he does tonight.
I think Texas learned their lesson after signing A-rod.
Whose idea was it to bring out the American flag Mariners hat? I think that’s the worst hat design ever. It’s not even the right color blue.
That Baek trade has worked out well for us. Sigh.
My initial plan was to go to today’s game.
Plans changed as soon as I found this out.
Teagarden was on Team USA???????
MLB.
msb:
Is there some sort of holiday I’m missing today? I know tomorrow is 9/11 and all so I’m just trying to figure this out.
with one inning Wells’ ERA jumped to 12.27
nope. they have them left over from the Fourth, and obviously someone decided they were wearing them today. The uni choice of the day is traditionally made by the starting pitcher, but I don’t know if Cesar has that call as a fill-in.
How did Ibanez “double on a ground ball to first?”
msb:
I knew the 4th inventory extravaganza and the pitcher picks deal. Jimenez probably did pick, who knows. I just don’t ever want to see the hats again. They are terrible.
TUI!!!!!!!!
msb – They are wearing the American Flag Hat for 9/11 today for the home crowd and tomorow in Anaheim. You need to show them at a home game if you want to sell them in your team shop for $25-$35.
Talking about merchandising, can you believe that a Manny jersey is $400 at Dodger Stadium?
Oh neat, Nelson Cruz went oppo at the Safe. Good to know.
Talking about merchandising, can you believe that a Manny jersey is $400 at Dodger Stadium?
Does that mean it will cause the wearer to play poor defense?
Pumpkinhead:
If that’s the case save $300 and buy an Ibanez jersey.
not a good day for the JWs.
WHY DID THEY TAKE MESSENGER OUT!?!?!?!?!?!? He was doing fine.
Poor Woodsy. One pitch.
I believe Ichiro is well on his way to 200. Wasn’t sure he was going to make it, but 189 with two more weeks, woo!
I was actually hoping Ichiro would not make it to 200 hits. My belief is it would free him up a bit, not tying to get to that mark. Maybe walking a bit more, swinging for the fences a bit more. Anyone else feel this every year goal gets in his way from being a potentially better hitter?
Umm…explain to me how getting fewer hits would make Ichiro a better hitter?
OOO- SUICIDE try!
I don’t know if you know (or care) about this, but since the redesign your rss feed has gotten REALLY slow.
As in, I just got the feed for this post half an hour ago. Makes it difficult to come here and participate in a game thread when the game’s almost over.
I assume it’s not your fault. Just wanted to let you know.
You know, I was about to say that I don’t really think so generally, but the more I think about what he seems to like and not like, maybe the hit count is too important to him. He wants to play right instead of center, not steal as much as he might, and not sit out games.
SequimRealEstate:
No, he is already a great hitter. What else do you want from the guy? Maybe he can start swinging for the fences and end up like Richie Sexson. Maybe he can focus on taking more walks and be like Barry Bonds. I know those are extreme examples but Ichiro plays a great style of baseball we have never seen. He helps more than he hurts.
Every year that same question pops up and it pisses me off to no end. Ok, fine….he hits 150 hits next year and has 30 homeruns. Here is what happens: Ichiro could have been a little more patient and OMG he totally didn’t get his 200 hits, he’s on a decline!!!!
He’s the most consistent player on our team and you really can’t ask much more from the guy than he has already provided.
So a win clinches it for the Angels.
I knew the Mariners would be a factor in the AL West this year.
because he also pitched yesterday?
msb:
I’m done asking questions today. Between American flag hats and courier service pitching decisions, I’m not getting answers. LOL.
I hate Ichiro, that should have been a homerun. 4 for 4, a walk would have been better.
Hooray for spring training baseball
Can Batista get a hold today?
Why does Chris Davis hate America?
Arthur Rhodes has an era of 0.00 in 10 ip and 10k’s since the trade to Florida, maybe he is available.
Oh no, not save blower extraordinaire JJ Putz.
Haven’t they learned their lesson yet?
I guess they don’t play Thunderstruck anymore for JJ.
Sorry, I heard it in the backround.
TUI!!!!!!
Heh, JJ has 8 blown saves, which leads the AL. #1!
Jeez, K-Rod has 3 times as many opportunities, and still fewer blown saves than JJ. Crazygonuts.
M’s win, Angel’s clinch.
Now I’m just waiting for the Yanks to be mathmatically eliminated. =)
I believe the Yankees’ magic number is 8 (as in behind the 8-ball).
When was the last time you could say THAT this early in September???