Game Four: Mariners at Twins
Dave · April 9, 2009 at 10:15 am · Filed Under Mariners
Washburn starts – weee.
Cedeno starts at third, Beltre DH’ing, Sweeney at first, Johnson behind the plate – Branyan and Griffey get the day off against the LHP.
Four days, four line-ups. Wak isn’t kidding about using 120 to 130 different batting orders this year.
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Not a strong line-up today, not Griffey either.
Nice Gut!
I freaking love Gutierrez already.
It’s not a strong lineup, but it sure is alot of RHB’s to throw at a lefty…
Wak doesn’t strike as too low key for some reason…
Interesting line up today. We should probably expect a constant helping of Rob behind the plate with Wash on the mound this season. However, if we are trotting this kind of a line up on to the field every four days I’m not going to be all the thrilled. Even with Ichiro in right.
Anyways…
Go M’s!!!
I mean he’s too low key, sorry for the spelling & grammar. Good single up the middle.
Beltre!
(Fangraphs says there are no games active right now)
Gutierrez, what’s not to like!?!!
This is a pretty good anti-LHP line-up. Not sure what you guys are complaining about, honestly.
Everyone is still waking up, lucky I have the day off today to watch the game.
Of course, that makes it a stronger lineup against a lefty than you would get with Griffey in there.
Already Jarrod. Here is your lead. What can you do with it?
Lack of power is kind of depressing, but still, 11 runs in two games is very good, so it all might work out over the season.
50,000 travel miles…..add that to another Silva excuse. Too many restaurants to visit!!
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gutierrez, Beltre, Lopez, and Balentien give the team plenty of power against lefties.
How the hell did he catch that ball!!!! Holy crap that was amazing!!!!
Gutierrez WOW!!!!
There it is, oh shoot. No trap!
WOW…. GUTIERREZ
Are you kidding me? What a catch.
He caught it. Great catch.
Reminds me of Raul.
8 of Washburn’s first 9 pitches have been fastballs. All 85 to 88 MPH.
Wow. That was an amazing catch. Reaching dive just inches from the turf. Oooooheeee! Love me some good defense.
I like Franklin
shit
That’s it, that catch has switched my man crush.
Guit lover am I now.
How soon is too soon to order a Guiterrez jersey?
Holy Gutierrez!!! That was a hell of a catch.
Greatest center fielder in mariner history…. Franklin Gutierrez?
That was as good a catch as I’ve ever seen a mariner centerfielder make, when I saw that in the air I thought there was no freakin way. This is gonna be fun watchin that guy in center.
I am loving this outfield defense this year!
I’m loving Gutierrez.
I thought that was a double/triple for sure and out of nowhere comes Gutierrez! He’s doing everything today. Offense and Defense!!!
you think Wash is loving the D?? Sub 3.5 ERA here he comes so he can be dealt at the deadline. One can wish right.
Lets pray that Washburn pitches awesome this year or at least for the first 3 months so we can get something for him.
I think most centerfielders in the game wouldn’t of even attempted that catch, they’d of just taken a route to try and play it off the wall. It takes some balls to dive for a ball on that turf.
The more I watch Guti play, the more I get to love him.
Well I heard Gutierrez has the biggest balls of them all…
Apparently
The bus made Morneau look silly.
He looked like Yuni swinging at that pitch.
The was kind of a strange swing by Morneau, must have been fooled big time.
Quick inning for the Bus. WHO IS THIS GUY?!?!?!
Wash is actually looking pretty good today. He’s hitting that outside corner well.
Nice game for Wash so far, looking very sharp
Now, we just need to play some add on. As good as he’s pitching so far, no lead is safe.
Mr. Bus, please keep that up so we can trade you ASAP. Thanks!
Endy! Now steal second base..
Oh wow, Gutierrez looked like he beat that out.
He was freakin safe!! The ump was even gonna say it and then he changed his mind mid way through. WTF!
Good call, nevermind.
Plus Perkins interfered with him running in the base path
The Twins will want him again.
Gutierrez is safe because he has a right to the bag. Perkins blocked the baseline. Runner safe.
I know it is way too early in the season to make this decision yet, but I wonder at what point Sweeney might retire/get dropped if he continues to struggle like he has so far. I hope he finds his groove, but he’s looked lost in the first few games.
I hate how immediately after a walk to the batter before him, Lopez always seems to flail at the first pitch.
So sad about Ardenhart, good that they canceled the game. I remember that played the next day after Bostock passed away.
Double in the gap would be good now
I thought Lopez was supposed to be a guy who was really tough to strike out, what’s up with him? It ain’t like Glen Perkins is Johan Santana.
HOLY SHIT!!! CEDENO!!
good god.
Good god Mike Redmond is slow.
Is Redmond that slow? He was out by three steps. Great play anyways!
This defense is bananas!
Silly Cedeno, that play is for Beltre!
What is this “defense” thing? I thought it was a myth…
Another easy inning for Ze Bus for sale.
well there are some great play by M’s today.
Surprised that Cedeno could play thirdbase that good!
Big bad WLAD.
It’d be great to see Wlad have a good start.
Why is Branyan showing bunt? I mean, honestly.
Dear Wak:
An out does not help you. Ever.
Yours,
The USSM community
PS–
Branyan? He is a power hitter. What a waste of a bat…
It was Rob Johnson.
…it was Rob Johnson.
Dear Wak:
I’m an idiot. But an out still doesn’t help you.
Yuni hit an easy grounder with a runner in scoring position and two outs. I wonder what the season record is for doing that?
I’m an idiot. But an out still doesn’t help you.
Considering neither of our catchers can hit, I didn’t find it to be that bad of an idea. Would’ve been better than the ensuing strikeout.
Cedeno is a goodpick up.
Man, Wash is just living on that outside corner.
When did Washburn learn how to pitch? I feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.
Another easy inning for the Bus. Take note MLB, the Bus is ready for your contending team! All offers will be considered.
Mariners defense + Crappy twins lineup = Cy Washburn
That 87mph fastball is devastating today.
“Whose the best Canadian player? Larry Walker?”
“Fergie Jenkins?”
“No, I mean player.”
I love it!
Interesting, we get to see the much hyped Brett Anderson tomorrow. I hope we give him a rude greeting to the big leagues.
And………a quick inning for Perkins. PITCHING DUEL!!
I feel like Gomez has the same startled look on his face all the time.
My daily Zaloumis.
Nice DP.
DP!
Okay, can someone other than Felix make it past the 5th.?
The Bus………now getting more expensive as trade bait. Get him while he’s cheap!
Nice, very nice by Wash. Pitch through the 7th., and Lowe the 8th., and Morrow in the 9th.?
54 pitches through 5! Hopefully we get a run on two more soon.
C’mon Lopez. Do Something!!
Yikes, that was ugly.
Did Lopez look safe? That looked like good baserunning by Beltre…
I love Beltre.
Beltre tried his best, but in the end it was pretty amusing. By stopping in the line, he gave the hitter a chance to get to first, but the Twins played it correctly.
@jvalentine
I’m sure that’s not what we were all hoping he’d do.
Finish strong Bus!
Hey everyone, circle July 24th on your calendars.
It’s Franklin Gutierrez bobblehead night!!
I can’t wait for the Safeco bobblehead. Maybe it will look like there is an earthquake.
I want a Nicole Zaloumis bobblehead.
No, not quite what we were looking for.
Is anybody else worried with The bus about to go the third time through the line up with only a one run cushion?
Chavez!! Yeah, that outfield defense is primo.
Chavez had to run forever to get to that. I was surprised the infielders gave up on it so early.
I think all of the bobbleheads are safeco ones… they all have the stadium behind the player.
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ticketing/bobblehead_nights.jsp
I don’t think there is a Safeco-only bobblehead, though Dave certainly makes it sound like that.
I want a Nicole Zaloumis bobblehead.
I’m not too sure it’d be able to bobble, it’d probably tip over due to being top heavy.
Darn, I wanted to hear more about Wak letting the catchers call the game. It would have been interesting to hear his take on Kenji call those change ups from last night.
Last year, if Betancourt didn’t get to that ball it lands 15 feet in front of Raul…
Now, why wouldn’t Wak have some guy warming up, at least tossing a ball, just in case Wash loses it for the 7th?
Good job by Cedeno so far.
Carlos Gomez is a nice player also.
7 fouls in that 11 pitch at bat by Cedeno.
Damn, Cedeno won’t give up.
Whoa, almost nailed Yuni in the head…
Washburn has the highest value right now that he will have all season.
Trade him before he pitches any more this year, it can only get worse!
I mean Cedeno
No, I was right the first time
Great at bats by both Cedeno and Yuni to get Perkins out of the game quicker
Let’s not go too far down this road, please.
This has got to be some kind of personal record for Betancourt.
Yuni’s seen more pitches this AB than in most games…
Followed by an 11 pitch at bat by Yuni.
Let’s not go too far down this road, please.
What? The chick has a big head.
If Bentancourt walks in this game I’ll buy a round of Jagerbombs…
What? The chick has a big head.
HAHAHAHAHA
Yuni only took 1 pitch really in that AB. The three balls were obviously outside. Then he took six swings.
Not really that patient, but it was a good AB.
Now Morneau, there’s a player the Mariners should go after when he becomes a free agent.
A little finesse by Gutierrez.
What’s Wash’s Pitch Count up to?
Wow – he actually OVERran that one.
Gutierrez is awesome!
Oh, my. Washburn should take his fielders out to dinner.
There is no gap in this outfield.
Nice!!! Gutierrez RULES!!!
What an OF this year god so good~
I think AL opponents are gonna get the memo pretty quick. Don’t hit the ball in the air vs. the Mariners.
I am loving our defense!
LOVING IT!
Washburn has to be loving this defense. Only 80 Pitches through 7 so far. It’s a fly ball contact pitchers wet dream.
Good lord, this is fun to watch. I see a ball hit like that and think “Oh crap,” then watch Guti cruise underneath it… I could get used to this.
What an outfield, they playing awesome.
OK, that is annoying. That is twice today that FSN has cut to commercials right in the middle of an inning.
Is it just me, or does Sweeney’s bat look incredibly slow?
Sweeney has been very late catching up to fastballs today.
Looks like the Bus is going for the bottom of the 8th.
Just in watching Gameday, it looks like Sweeney was swinging like Yuni out there.
Is he just praying that he catches up to a fastball no matter where it is?
Does Wak have anyone warming up, just in case?
uh oh, three straight balls high in the zone…not looking good.
It looks like Wash is actually throwing a semi-decent changeup in this game. That should hopefully offset his usual, fastball, fastball, higher fastball pitch selection.
Just now? Come on Wak, you have to be ahead of the game, not behind it.
The trouble is, it’s unclear who in the bullpen is an upgrade over a shaky Washburn
Aardsma is warming up, apparently.
the wheels on the bus are falling off.
Man, I hate Span. Would love to have him on my team, but I’m already sick of seeing/hearing the guy’s name.
Last batter for Wash probably, next guys are righties.
Paul B.
When did it happen and which cable/satellite system are you watching ?
Barely got out of that inning. Nice pick by Yuni. Wow.
Wow, i didn’t think we were getting out of that inning without help from the pen.
Phew, nice play by Yuni. Wash really has looked great today. Now I hope we can hold on in the 9th. Another run would not hurt either.
holy!…wait, what? The bus got out of the inning? Is this an error on gameday?
Wow, who would’ve thought Washburn would have a better line than Felix at the end of this series?
Double from Beltre would be nice.
Are we bringing in Brandon do give him another shot? Or do we go with Miguel “El Beisbolista” Batista?
With two on and one down, I was about to post a silly “The wheels on the Bus are coming off…coming off…coming off…” comment.
Then good defense gets us out of the inning.
Would it be wrong to consider the possibility that it might be smarter to KEEP Washburn, rather than just hope to pump and dump himm? Could a strong defense behind him actually turn Jarrod into a valuable innings eater again?
Tonight’s A’s/Angels game is officially postponed according to SF Chronicle
Yuni has looked very good so far this season.
One of these days Wash is gonna get some run support.
No, get rid of Washburn.
I am watching FSN on Directv.
The second time it happened was in the sixth inning, during Endy Chavez’ at bat. He was leading off the inning. There was a 1-2 count on him and then it was an ad for a TV game channel with Pat Sajak. Then there was an ad for the Masters on Directv. Then the game came back with a 2-0 count on Gutierrez. (I got the details by backing the game up on Tivo).
By the way: No slam meant to Go Felix in my previous post–we were thinking the same thing, but I didn’t hit “submit post” before the momentum of the inning changed.
Nice stop by Crede, full extension!
wrong link in above post: SF Chronicle
Double from Beltre would be nice.
He did his part…
Note to Crede: nice catch, but Beltre does that and makes the throw, while falling backwards, and doing his taxes at the same time.
One more time for luck:
C’mon Lopez. Do something!!
pgreyy:
No worries. I think it’s hilarious.
God damn, I don’t think Lopez could have a worse game if he tried. 2 K’s and 2 DP’s. Nice.
Damn, that was an impressive pick by Crede!
Dammit Jose!
J.Lopez, worst game of all-time?
2 K’s and 2 GIDP’s
Every time you tell him to “do something”, he does the wrong thing.
Frickin Lopez. What the hell?
Another DP? Twice in one game!
That’s a great night at the plat for Lopez.
0-4 2K’s and 2 GiDPs
Aaarg! Which completely screwed it up for Wlad.
INSURANCE!!!! Great job Johnson!
Rob Johnson for mayor!
Nice, Johnson and Balentien!
I hope this insurance run works better than in game 2.
Ok, I know this is a small thing, and even thinking it probably makes me a small person, but it figures the game that gets postponed is an in-state game for the Angels. The M’s have to fly to Cleveland four extra times in one season, and the Angels just have to figure out how to fit in one more game against an in-division opponent an hour’s plane flight away.
I was about to scream wondering where the pinch hitter was for Johnson.. I’ll take being wrong though! Insurance run!
It’s Morrow time!!
2 run lead. We’ll see how Morrow handles this one.
Insurance!!! I like it.
Nice job Rob!
A little defensive shift. I like it.
Ok, this is interesting…using the DH in the field. Let’s hope they don’t tie it up.
Does anybody miss Clement yet?
Beltre to 3rd, Lopez to First…
Defensive musical chairs, giving up the DH.
Interesting.
That’s a weird move by Wakamatsu. Do we lose the DH if you turn him in to a fielder?
Uh oh, here we go.
C’mon Brandon, not again…
Wow, getting rid of the DH. I think I like Wakamatsu even more for thinking creatively.
Now if Morrow could throw a strike, that would be better…
Oh dear… ball 4.
Beltre in the field? Cool, Wak is willing to burn the DH in late innings. Screw hidebound managerial thinking. I like it.
And Wakamatsu shows his faith in Morrow. Let’s hope Morrow shows it is not misplaced.
(Psychologically speaking, I wonder if it would be better to do this in front of a crowd that doesn’t remember his previous problems).
Oh, crap.
Bad news bears theme starting to play.
Chavez, Gutierrez and Ichiro. That’s some good defense.
Brilliant! WTF?????
Didn’t this happen on Tuesday?
I watched that Angels/A’s game last night…Adenhart pitched a really good game…
So sad…
Jesus Christ, can we have Corcoran warming up just in case? It’s not an insult or anything, just being smart.
Christ. Who moved the F’n strike zone? It was here last inning. WTF dude?
I’m watching on Gamecast, and it’s slow….I’m hoping the pitching coach paid a visit after 4 straight balls????
WOOOOO!!!! KK!!
He struck you out on the last pitch, Crede. Shut up and sit down.
I watched that Angels/A’s game last night…Adenhart pitched a really good game…
So sad…
Nice save! Very nice win.
I watched that Angels/A’s game last night…Adenhart pitched a really good game…
So sad…
Paul B.
Thanks . . . I passed it along, it helps to know when/where it happens.
Looks like he found the Strike Zone. That first batter though, he was all over the place.
2-2. Happiness.
Attaboy Morrow
My MLB TV crapped out for the last inning. What is this defensive maneuver Wak put on?
Frickin MLBTV got stuck on the “commercial” break between the top of the 9th and the bottom. You could follow the updates, but the video never came back. That’s annoying – I really wanted to see Brandon throw.
Very impressive ballgame. I’m not sure how this season’s gonna wind up, but I have a feeling this team is gonna be a lot of fun to watch.
Krueger just talked about how Wash finally got some run support.
I’m pretty sure the offense averaged more than 2 runs/game for him last season.
A lot of flat fastballs… but throwing heat. Go Ms!!
He put Beltre from DH to third, moved Cedeno to second, moved Lopez to first, and sat Sweeney.
TV Producer, thanks. It happened a third time, which was when Morrow was pitching the 9th. So I called Directv and spoke to a human and reported it and he said he would pass it along to his supervisor. It was plenty annoying, but luckily with the internet and radio I was able to fill in the plays that I missed.
Krueger is an idiot. If he didn’t begin and end his discussion of Washburn by talking about the defense, he doesn’t have a clue.
And on Tuesday he went oh-for-three. But on Monday he had 3 RBIs, and yesterday he went 2-for-four with a HR. Obvious SSS conclusion: start him every other day!
Know who else had a great 9th inning? Niehaus. His calls of the strikeouts by Morrow were pretty classic.
Nice game all around. The insurance run sure made a difference, and I liked going to the defensive alignment in the ninth. And I have to give it to Wak for not pinch hitting Griffey for Johnson in the top of the ninth, since they would just have walked him.
The Adenhart thing struck home even harder for me because he’s younger than my kid (who is a tad older than Felix). I can’t even imagine how his parents must be feeling right now. From the highest high to the lowest low in a matter of hours. I grieve with them.
[no. just...no]
Anytime Morrow takes the mound, I hear the ” Wild thing ” song in my head. Good save though for Rick Vaughn errr Brandon Morrow
I went into this season both hoping for and predicting an .500 season…but I was also excited because I felt that we’d be competitive, that the mindnumbing deadness that was felt throughout last year would be replaced by a team that was motivated beyond excuses and bolstered by upside hopes.
…and that’s EXACTLY what I’ve enjoyed over the first four games.
Love baseball…love the 2K9 M’s–it’s not always going to be perfect, but it’s definitely more fun than last year.
Damn, Brandon “Ricky Vaughn” Morrow was at it again.
Seriously though, they guy is throwing way across his body. He’s never going to find the strike zone when his left foot lands a foot to the right of where it should be.
You know, if I was a Twins fan I’d be a bit worried. Sure, they split the series but that easily could’ve been a sweep for the M’s (and was just one out and Morrow’s wildness away from 3-1), and they gave up a lot of runs to a team that — let’s face it — probably isn’t quite as offensively gifted as those 16 runs in the first three games made them look.
Yeah, how about twice as much?
From ESPN.com
(Bonus: that link includes the highlight video of Senor Muerte por Cosas Volantes making his outstanding catch).
J.Lopez, worst game of all-time?
2 K’s and 2 GIDP’s
A matter of opinion. Some think that dubious distinction belongs to RON WRIGHT (with an assist from RUBEN SIERRA).
http://tinyurl.com/d2ww73