Game 9, Ichiro Day!

DMZ · April 15, 2009 at 7:04 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

Ichiro! He’s back, in Ichiro! form! Yayyyy! Ichiro!

Comments

302 Responses to “Game 9, Ichiro Day!”

  1. Colty on April 15th, 2009 7:08 pm

    Wooo let’s get it started! Do work Ichiro!

  2. SpokaneDan on April 15th, 2009 7:12 pm

    Yay Ichiro!! Welcome back. Let’s hope he comes back with a splash and the Mariners can keep this early season momentom going.

  3. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 7:14 pm

    Yay! Thread up! I’ve been refreshing and refreshing!

    Ichiro’s back! It’s Jackie Robinson Day! Which is totally cool, and also means that Jr will hit a home run! Whoo-hoo!

    Now where the hell is the crowd?

  4. Go Felix on April 15th, 2009 7:15 pm

    Wow, the stadium is almost empty.

  5. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 7:17 pm

    Surpised not to see Rob Johnson behind the plate considering the last game he caught for Washburn.

  6. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 7:19 pm

    Yeah, Viking, I was surprised too. But maybe Wak’s trying to send Washburn a message.

  7. MattThompson on April 15th, 2009 7:20 pm

    Ichiro! returning! I must say, as fun as the first week was, it was really strange seeing the team without him. It really sticks out; he’s missed as many games this season as he usually does in two or three seasons. Heck, I looked it up. He’s missed more games this season (8) than he missed from 2003 through 2008 collectively (6). Talk about durable.

  8. Go Felix on April 15th, 2009 7:20 pm

    Ladies and Gentlemen:

    Please note that the Bus has turned himself into a fantastic pitcher. For the right price you can have him in a trade before the rest of the league notices how devastating his “new” pitch is. Get him while he’s cheap!!!!

  9. brothermatt on April 15th, 2009 7:23 pm

    Endy, the greatest hitter in history. Just like Dave said.

  10. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 7:24 pm

    That is pure speed!

  11. diderot on April 15th, 2009 7:31 pm

    Now where the hell is the crowd?

    Maybe they saw the guy in our #3 hole hitting .158 and thought Vidro was still around?

  12. HamNasty on April 15th, 2009 7:35 pm

    This team is just multiple times more fun to watch then last year. Each pitch isn’t a frightening experience and each play in the field brings promise, not a soul breaking letdown.

  13. NODO Dweller on April 15th, 2009 7:35 pm

    Now where the hell is the crowd?

    Or they could have been there last night and haven’t thawed yet…

  14. Axtell on April 15th, 2009 7:36 pm

    Nice plate discipline, Russel.

  15. red_devil20 on April 15th, 2009 7:49 pm

    Watching the game down here in Southern California, and I actually miss the dulcet tones of Mike Blowers… God, Hudler is terrible.

  16. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 7:49 pm

    I’m totally down with this whole “everybody wears #42 for Jackie” thing, but it sure would be nice to at least have names on their jerseys…

  17. coreyjro on April 15th, 2009 7:49 pm

    If Washburn doesn’t give up a run this season could he be a type A free agent?

  18. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 7:50 pm

    The Mariners should use the “you can’t come” approach that the Sounders do to block off 50% of the seats. That will sell out games for sure.

  19. Luc on April 15th, 2009 7:50 pm

    Looks like there’s hardly 20,000 fans today. Not that I blame them. I almost froze to death at the game yesterday.

    Also, who is this Washburn character? Looks like a whole new man this year, as does most of the team remaining from The Season That Shall Not Be Spoken Of.

  20. hark on April 15th, 2009 7:53 pm

    Phantom tag! That tag wasn’t down until after Gutz hit the bag!

  21. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 7:54 pm

    that was a terrible slide by Franklin

  22. hark on April 15th, 2009 7:54 pm

    Ichiro!!

  23. Shizane on April 15th, 2009 7:54 pm

    why is endy batting 2nd? LLL to start the lineup i would bat gutz 2nd and endy last

  24. Go Felix on April 15th, 2009 7:54 pm

    ICHIRO!

  25. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 7:56 pm

    Ichi-RO!!!

  26. hark on April 15th, 2009 7:57 pm

    ICHIRO!

  27. Go Felix on April 15th, 2009 7:57 pm

    That was a weird slide….

  28. KingFelixtheCat on April 15th, 2009 7:58 pm

    sb for ichy!

  29. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 7:59 pm

    Wait – I thought Ichiro didn’t run enough?

  30. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 7:59 pm

    double steal

  31. red_devil20 on April 15th, 2009 7:59 pm

    It’s strange to see Butch Huskey up there all the time. Fortunately, Butch Huskey’s pitching a decent game too.

  32. KingFelixtheCat on April 15th, 2009 7:59 pm

    that was some good discipline by chavez lets go griffey!

  33. zzyzx on April 15th, 2009 8:00 pm

    I like Fox Sports special crowd angle for the one busy section.

  34. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:01 pm

    Ugh, Junior.

  35. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:02 pm

    come on beltre

  36. zzyzx on April 15th, 2009 8:02 pm

    I’m getting worried a bit about Griff. I can’t believe the pitches he’s not hitting.

  37. KingFelixtheCat on April 15th, 2009 8:03 pm

    this ump sucks ass

  38. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:04 pm

    strike zone is BS…

  39. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:07 pm

    What’s the deal with commercials showing up during play? I keep having to switch to the Angels broadcast.

  40. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:09 pm

    Junior is missing on fastballs right down the middle

  41. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:10 pm

    #42 is 0 for 12 for the Angels

  42. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:10 pm

    I hope Junior starts picking it up a bit soon. I can’t think of anything worse than him falling flat on his face in his return and Wak being forced to bench him. Another week or two of this and he’ll be in Kenji-Vidro-Sexson territory from last year. Most fans won’t be mad at him I’m sure, but even the biggest Junior fan has to side with the decision that’s in the teams best interest.

    Anyway, there we go, I talked about it. I’ve jinxed the no-hitter (by a batter, not a pitcher).

  43. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:10 pm

    Holy cow…who the Hell is this guy and what did he do with Jarrod Washburn?

  44. Go Felix on April 15th, 2009 8:10 pm

    The Bus………perfect……..willing to be traded……..new pitch……I’ll even help him move.

  45. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:13 pm

    Also, on a side note, do the fans they keep showing up in the left field bleachers not realize the good seats are largely empty? Trade up guys! Good gracious.

  46. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:13 pm

    Also, on a side note, do the fans they keep showing up in the left field bleachers not realize the good seats are largely empty? Trade up guys! Good gracious.

    Even in mostly empty games, the ushers won’t let you. I’ve tried. It’s ridiculous.

  47. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:14 pm

    E8! Torii Hunter, Gold Glove winner.

  48. Go Felix on April 15th, 2009 8:14 pm

    Hahahaha, Hunter!!

  49. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:14 pm

    haha self proclaimed best cf!

  50. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:14 pm

    Hahahahaha, no way Hunter.

  51. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:15 pm

    Tough sun

  52. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:15 pm

    sweeeeeet

  53. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:15 pm

    That was a gift, let’s not waste it…

  54. robbbbbb on April 15th, 2009 8:15 pm

    Oops. Y’know, you don’t see that very often.

  55. Colty on April 15th, 2009 8:16 pm

    Clutch Kenji!

  56. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:16 pm

    Kenji!

  57. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:16 pm

    Joe GEEEEEEEEEEEMA

  58. robbbbbb on April 15th, 2009 8:16 pm

    I don’t like the bunt there. It’s the fourth innning. Don’t play for one; play for the big inning. It’s not like you’re risking a double play, even.

  59. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:16 pm

    Also, on a side note, do the fans they keep showing up in the left field bleachers not realize the good seats are largely empty? Trade up guys! Good gracious.

    Even in mostly empty games, the ushers won’t let you. I’ve tried. It’s ridiculous.

    ——————-

    I’ve done it multiple times. You just have to be sneaky. it’s easy to get to the RF seats. It’s great sitting a row or two off the field. the baselines are harder to get, but it’s doable

  60. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:17 pm

    Wow – even when he did find the ball it looked like he should have caught it.

    And bunting? Already? With Lopez?

  61. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:17 pm

    Even in mostly empty games, the ushers won’t let you. I’ve tried. It’s ridiculous.

    Really? I’ve had great luck with that. I just go to a good section with the oldest usher (not trying to stereotype, but it’s true) and shoot the shit with him/her for a few minutes, and then casually mention that I’m heading back to my crappy seats, emphasis on the crappy. They usually let me slide in. Obviously you can only do it on a weekday non-Yankee non-Red Sox game.

  62. Benne on April 15th, 2009 8:18 pm

    Holy crap Johjima did something!

  63. Farmer Cam on April 15th, 2009 8:18 pm

    Washburn no-no through 4!

  64. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:19 pm

    yuni b

  65. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:19 pm

    Kenji looked like he was gonna collapse and die rounding second. Funny, not really funny, but pretty funny.

  66. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:20 pm

    yuni is the best so far

  67. ClaytonMiles on April 15th, 2009 8:20 pm

    and that is why outfield defense is important, torri hunter. but oh no kenji is hurt.

  68. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:20 pm

    Rob Johnson…rookie mistake.

  69. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 8:20 pm

    Yuni! You just might be my Boyfriend of the Year.

  70. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:21 pm

    Ahh Abreu… that was purely Ibanezesque out there in RF.

  71. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:21 pm

    Jarrod seems like a good guy, I’m glad to see he’s doing so well so far

  72. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:21 pm

    Strike my previous statement, didn’t know he was injured. Forgive me, baseball Gods.

  73. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:21 pm

    Rob Rob Rob…

  74. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:22 pm

    Sims: “Ichiro…drives one! Right field…”

    Everyone actually watching the game: “Ichiro skies one, a can of corn into right…”

  75. robbbbbb on April 15th, 2009 8:23 pm

    Not Johnson’s fault, there. The called play was, “Run on contact.”

  76. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:23 pm

    wasted opportunity

  77. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 8:23 pm

    Damn, why didnt Johjima come out while he was getting checked out on first, Rob Johnson probably could have scored on that yuni double, Abreu took forever to get to that ball

  78. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:23 pm

    I know, I don’t know why the heck he was running on that play.

  79. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:23 pm

    That was a dumb mistake by johnson, but it’s not terrible. If he holds at third we get 2nd and 3rd with 2 out, instead we have 1st and 3rd… it only would have hurt if ichi got a base hit

  80. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:24 pm

    You figured out the Mariner’s base running signals robbbbb? Or are you just assuming run on contact with only one out?

  81. zzyzx on April 15th, 2009 8:24 pm

    What happened to Kenji?

  82. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:25 pm

    Gutierez did probably the worst possible thing in that situation, he didn’t even go the other way with it

  83. xxtinynickxx on April 15th, 2009 8:25 pm

    It is what it is! Kenji probably headed to DL. Who do they bring up? I hope its not Clement…….

  84. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:26 pm

    That was a dumb mistake by johnson, but it’s not terrible. If he holds at third we get 2nd and 3rd with 2 out, instead we have 1st and 3rd… it only would have hurt if ichi got a base hit

    Check your run expectancy tables. You’re more likely to score a run with 2nd and 3rd with 2 away than 1st and 3rd with two away. With a base open, They might have walked Ichiro to load the bases. The whole approach is different.

    Was it “terrible”? No, not really. But baseball is a “game of inches.”

  85. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:27 pm

    is adam moore even close to being ready?

  86. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:27 pm

    ouch

  87. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:27 pm

    Commercial again! What is going on with the Seattle broadcast? Are folks seeing this as a local broadcast seeing the commercials coming in early?

  88. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:29 pm

    Commercial again! What is going on with the Seattle broadcast? Are folks seeing this as a local broadcast seeing the commercials coming in early?

    No.

  89. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:29 pm

    Ahhh… so it IS Washburn out there…

  90. srp on April 15th, 2009 8:29 pm

    Kinsler is having quite the night for Texas

  91. Go Felix on April 15th, 2009 8:29 pm

    Branyan slid too early…..

  92. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 8:30 pm

    I saw this coming for some reason, once there was a catcher change

  93. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:31 pm

    Hey, Jarrod showed up for the game at last.

  94. zvazda on April 15th, 2009 8:31 pm

    Uhhh… What??
    There are balls Frankie can’t catch?

  95. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:31 pm

    Wow did Kenji actually help Washburn?

  96. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:32 pm

    hark, thanks. The MLB Extra Innings broadcast is getting commercials showing up right in the middle of play on the Seattle broadcast. Driving me crazy.

  97. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:33 pm

    wash looked more comfortable with joh calling the game

  98. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:33 pm

    I heart AB.

  99. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:34 pm

    The MLB Extra Innings broadcast is getting commercials showing up right in the middle of play on the Seattle broadcast. Driving me crazy.

    This is happening to me too. I’ve seen the welcome to Seattle Nicole commercial about ten times tonight right in the middle of the side.

  100. zvazda on April 15th, 2009 8:35 pm

    Harry –
    Did you call, or let them know on the Forum?

    You should also call them names and say derogatory things about their spouses, supposed sexual identity or whatever.

    But seriously, MLB TV/audio, has been a mess. And I think we just need to keep telling them that it’s been a mess until they get on top of it. And hopefully it wont ever happen again.

  101. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    Endy for president!

  102. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    Endy!

  103. Featherless on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    ENDY!!!!

  104. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    ENDYYYYYYYYYY

  105. apunetid on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    Chavez!!!

  106. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    Endy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  107. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    Endy!!!!!!!!!!!! Looks like an uber-Joey Cora on that swing!

  108. jkpurvis on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    ENDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  109. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    strike out then hr in same ab!!

  110. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 8:37 pm

    Wow, didnt know Endy could do that! He has been unreal for the M’s so far.

  111. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:38 pm

    Holy crap! Endy!??!

  112. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:38 pm

    strike out then hr in same ab!!

  113. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    Junior!

  114. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    Junior! Gone!

  115. KingFelixtheCat on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    GRIFFEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 400 congrats

  116. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    strike out then hr in same ab!!

  117. mikelb420 on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    JR!!!!!!!!!!!1

  118. MattThompson on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    400! Congratulations, Junior.

  119. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    JUNIOR!!!!!

  120. apunetid on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    Craziness!

  121. Colty on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    JRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRr

  122. David* on April 15th, 2009 8:39 pm

    Woo Mariners!

  123. njpozner on April 15th, 2009 8:40 pm

    Am I less of a man if I admit that I’m tearing up a bit hearing Dave call Griffey’s home run?

  124. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:40 pm

    Endy!!!!!!!!!!!! Junior!!!!!!!!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  125. beckya57 on April 15th, 2009 8:41 pm

    Way to go, Endy and Jr!!

  126. hititagainandagainandagain on April 15th, 2009 8:41 pm

    #42 has a sweet swing.

  127. KingFelixtheCat on April 15th, 2009 8:42 pm

    GRIFFEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 400 congrats

  128. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:43 pm

    God I wish that had happened last night. But good stuff. I attribute that home run to me jinxing the no-hitter earlier. That’s right, I’m taking credit for Griffey’s talent. ;)

  129. SpokaneDan on April 15th, 2009 8:44 pm

    I am a DirecTV customer is Spokane and I have been having the same problems with commercials interrupting the game tonight. You can contact FSN at this webpage http://northwest.fsninsider.com/contact.php

  130. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:44 pm

    zvazda, I’m watching DirecTV: is it the same broadcast that is used for MLB.tv?

    And my fire-breathing days of Usenet/forum tantrums are long behind me. A mildly irate support phone call is all I can manage these days.

  131. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:45 pm

    JUNIOR!!!! That was freaking awesome. I am content.

  132. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 8:45 pm

    And Torii and Jr deliver their Jackie Robinson Day HRs.

  133. tkight on April 15th, 2009 8:47 pm

    njpozner – not at all. I get choked up hearing Dave call anything.

  134. zvazda on April 15th, 2009 8:49 pm

    I dunno, Harry. Maybe someone else does. I just subscribe to the MLB audio and so when I heard you were having problems, I assumed it was MLBaudios fault. (and probably somewhere its all BS’s [buddy selig] fault).

  135. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:49 pm

    Raul would have played that into a triple

  136. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 8:49 pm

    Vlad’s washed up! This guy is totally on the decline, his body just seems to be falling apart and he doesnt have the bat speed to nail those pitches out of the zone like he use to.

  137. cj on April 15th, 2009 8:51 pm

    Harry –

    I’m in the same boat. Watching FSN on normal DirecTV and getting cut in on occasionally. Must be a DTV issue.

  138. WardP on April 15th, 2009 8:52 pm

    @juneau_fan: way to call the Griffey dinger!

  139. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:52 pm

    Vlad looks about 30 lbs heavier

  140. cj on April 15th, 2009 8:52 pm

    At least we saw RJs double before it happened this time. Stupid commercials in the middle of action.

  141. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 8:53 pm

    wth is rob doing bunting when he can do that?

  142. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:53 pm

    Between injuries, tragedy, and some decline, the Angels aren’t looking like a juggernaut this year… USSM said it first, as usual.

  143. b2 on April 15th, 2009 8:54 pm

    No more bunting. We want big inning.

  144. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 8:54 pm

    YES.

  145. WardP on April 15th, 2009 8:55 pm

    @harry: we are surrounded by regression to the mean..

  146. jordan on April 15th, 2009 8:55 pm

    Anyone else getting thrown to commercials in the middle of each of the past 3 innings?

  147. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:55 pm

    who’s our backup catcher when Johnson is stretching doubles and head first sliding?

  148. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 8:55 pm

    I love seeing a Weaver being slapped around like a red-headed stepchild. It’s not Jeff, but maybe Jarrod will cry on the phone to his big bro’ and that’ll be good enough.

    Sweet, sweet, sweet.

  149. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 8:55 pm

    Ohhh man. I’m starting to feel really bad for the Angels. Ouch.

  150. PhinneyFan on April 15th, 2009 8:55 pm

    I liked Dave’s slip about “the crowd in the Kingdome going wild” after Junior’s homerun. For a second it was the mid-90′s again.

  151. WardP on April 15th, 2009 8:56 pm

    how about a bunt AND a big inning?

  152. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:56 pm

    Wow. Lucky that.

  153. MattThompson on April 15th, 2009 8:56 pm

    Well, if the Angels are going to keep doing things like that every time the Ms bunt, maybe they should bunt every time someone gets on base.

  154. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:56 pm

    Guti with a nice bunt, but a terrible decision by Weaver to consider going home with that ball. The play was at first all the way.

  155. WardP on April 15th, 2009 8:56 pm

    how about a bunt AND a big inning?

  156. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:56 pm

    The bunt is our WEAPON!!!!!

  157. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 8:56 pm

    Yuni is a talented hitter. If he was more selective (which is obvious) he would be pretty good. To bad doesnt look like that day will ever happen.

  158. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 8:57 pm

    Johnson got lucky there. That was almost another bad out at the plate.

  159. harry on April 15th, 2009 8:57 pm

    jordan, hello fellow Extra Innings watcher. Yes, I’ve been whining about it throughout the comments.

  160. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 8:57 pm

    JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 8:55 pm

    who’s our backup catcher when Johnson is stretching doubles and head first sliding?

    ——————

    Wak is a former catcher! he can be our player-coach

  161. Luc on April 15th, 2009 8:58 pm

    Jered started to look more like Jeff this inning. Good stuff. Wak-ball. I like it Dave Sims. Rolls right off the tongue.

  162. oboegal on April 15th, 2009 8:58 pm

    I believe the extra commercial problem is with DirectTv. I am watching the Fox Sports NW Channel and have gotten the commercials at about the same times you are reporting them. I just fired off a complaint to DirectTv.

  163. hark on April 15th, 2009 8:59 pm

    EE! CHEE! ROH!

    EE! CHEE! ROH!

  164. MattThompson on April 15th, 2009 8:59 pm

    who’s our backup catcher when Johnson is stretching doubles and head first sliding?

    That’s actually a good question. I know that Raul was the emergency catcher for a while (years ago, in his first stint with the Ms), and Bloomquist as well. I wonder who that is on this team.

  165. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:00 pm

    keep bunting baby!!!!

  166. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 9:00 pm

    Ugh. I hate when Ichiro bunts in these situations. Narrow avoidance of disaster, there.

  167. WardP on April 15th, 2009 9:02 pm

    whoever is running th FreezeCam has had a few too many Coors Lights.. totally useless angle there

  168. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 9:02 pm

    He was safe!

  169. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:02 pm

    Maybe Ronny Cedeno is the backup catcher – he can play everywhere else

  170. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:02 pm

    I wish I could have heard Dave’s call on Jr’s bomb – I’m stuck with Sims and Blow on the MLB video feed. I’ll have to see if I can listen to it later.

  171. harry on April 15th, 2009 9:03 pm

    I hope they bring Clement up for another chance to figure out that he still has permission to hit, even though he’s not in Tacoma.

  172. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:04 pm

    Put Sweeney in at catcher. Best possible position for a cheerleader. He could be like the real life Jake Taylor.

  173. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 9:04 pm

    Why is Batista coming in? Washburn only 87 pitches.

  174. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:05 pm

    I guess Batista isn’t the closer tonite

  175. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 9:06 pm

    This is making me sick watching Batista come in and do this.

  176. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 9:06 pm

    come on batista…

  177. jordan on April 15th, 2009 9:06 pm

    I am watching FSN on direct tv.

  178. jordan on April 15th, 2009 9:07 pm

    I am watching FSN on direct tv.

  179. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 9:09 pm

    Oops. Johnson’s scoreless streak may be coming to an end here.

  180. Farmer Cam on April 15th, 2009 9:09 pm

    Ok, why pull Washburn…? hasn’t he thrown less than 90 pitches?

  181. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:10 pm

    GET BATISTA OUT OF THERE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!

  182. zvazda on April 15th, 2009 9:10 pm

    Jerbear –
    Well, when Gameday audio is up you can just go into the archived games and fast forward to the… oh wait. That’s right. They took away the fast forward function.

  183. az sr softball on April 15th, 2009 9:10 pm

    There goes Rob Johnson’s 20 scoreless innings.

  184. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:10 pm

    Rob, Rob, Rob. I thought he was supposed to be our GOOD defensive catcher.

  185. Jordan 'JWay' Gillis on April 15th, 2009 9:11 pm

    can we just eat Miguel’s salary yet? or at least stop using him in situations where the game maters?

  186. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 9:11 pm

    Damn it, that pisses me off so much. Washburn was cruising and you bring in pretty much the one bullpen guy that hasnt gotten it done this year.

  187. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 9:11 pm

    Sweet, Wak! I like your hook! It’s short and has a rough edge.

    It’s 2008 all over again! Sloppy fielding, dull faced pitcher, balls flying all over, and 0 in the outs column !

  188. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:13 pm

    Wasn’t Johnson catching when Hunter hit the HR?

  189. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:13 pm

    can we just eat Miguel’s salary yet? or at least stop using him in situations where the game maters?

    Aside from this inning (in which one runner is not his fault) he’s been pitching just as well as any of the other relievers. Hardly evidence enough to eat $9M.

  190. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:14 pm

    Batista is horrible

  191. naviomelo on April 15th, 2009 9:15 pm

    I don’t really blame Wak for pulling Washburn out of there. Remember last year, he’s pretty much done after 90 pitches anyway.

  192. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:15 pm

    zvazda- seriously? that sucks.

  193. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:15 pm

    Oh, and for the record, I hate him too. But I understand why he’s still here and I don’t necessarily disagree with it. Sometimes you have to live with somebody elses mistakes. That’s life.

  194. Jordan 'JWay' Gillis on April 15th, 2009 9:16 pm

    Aside from this inning (in which one runner is not his fault) he’s been pitching just as well as any of the other relievers. Hardly evidence enough to eat $9M.

    You’re right, his 3 IP thrown before today is enough to believe there’s something left. My bad.

  195. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:16 pm

    Why not leave Washburn in until he lets a baserunner on? He was pitching well

  196. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 9:17 pm

    I don’t really blame Wak for pulling Washburn out of there. Remember last year, he’s pretty much done after 90 pitches anyway.

    That seemed like a pretty easy 90 pitches, didnt really labor in an inning.

  197. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 9:18 pm

    C’mon, Kelley. You’re looking mighty good so far.

  198. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 9:18 pm

    Awesome pitching Kelley!

  199. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:19 pm

    HELL YES!

  200. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:19 pm

    Kelley is awesome!

  201. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 9:21 pm

    Yes! Increíble.

  202. zvazda on April 15th, 2009 9:21 pm

    Jerbear –

    Seriously. I’m pretty sure (50-50 :D ) it wasn’t on purpose. But it wasn’t really very nice of them to launch a new player without testing things like that.

  203. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:22 pm

    You’re right, his 3 IP thrown before today is enough to believe there’s something left. My bad.

    I never said there was something left. I said that there’s not enough evidence to eat his substantial salary on a club that’s either close to, or is, suffering financially. And he has pitched just as well, if not better, with virtually the same sampling size as the other relievers so far this year. That’s a fact. I WANT to get rid of him just as much as anybody. But he hasn’t imploded yet, might as well get something for your money in the mean time. IMO.

  204. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 9:24 pm

    Boy, the Angels do look old and tired. Vlad runs like an old lady with an artificial hip. Chone Figgins is finally exposed.

    Fabulous.

    They’ll probably still win the division, though.

  205. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:26 pm

    Luc – did you watch him last year? That’s enough evidence

  206. Jordan 'JWay' Gillis on April 15th, 2009 9:26 pm

    But he hasn’t imploded yet, might as well get something for your money in the mean time. IMO.

    Okay, well can that be in a 5 run game then?

  207. WardP on April 15th, 2009 9:27 pm

    do you bunt here? :)

  208. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:27 pm

    I’m loving Branyan’s approach.

  209. tmac9311 on April 15th, 2009 9:29 pm

    it is ridiculous how much funner the mariners are this year compared to last, sac fly that advances all the runners :)

  210. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:30 pm

    Luc – did you watch him last year? That’s enough evidence

    By that rationale they should drop almost the entire team, which they almost did already. Also, I’m done arguing now, trying to defend the decision to keep Batista on the roster is like trying to defend Communism. I bow out of this train of conversation, somewhat gracefully.

    P.S. In the spirit of making amends, “FUCK BATISTA”. Eloquent in its brevity.

  211. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:31 pm

    WardO – ha, I was thinking the same thing. :)

  212. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 9:33 pm

    good job rob!

  213. WardP on April 15th, 2009 9:33 pm

    break this sucker open, Rob!

  214. harry on April 15th, 2009 9:33 pm

    Woot! Johnson doing stuff!

    All is forgiven, with the baserunning oops.

  215. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:33 pm

    Redemption for Rob!

  216. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:34 pm

    You’ve redeemed yourself Luc :)

  217. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 9:34 pm

    Man! Again, you gotta feel bad for the Angels. But YES Yuni!

  218. Jordan 'JWay' Gillis on April 15th, 2009 9:35 pm

    FUCK BATISTA”. Eloquent in its brevity.

    I don’t hate him, just hate watching him pitch. I’d rather see my fan money go to not seeing him pitch. :)

  219. msb on April 15th, 2009 9:35 pm

    well, this was unexpected.

    and I’m glad Sims told me who got that hit, as I can’t tell the 42s without a scorecard.

  220. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:35 pm

    Looks like 9 Jackie Robinson’s out there!

  221. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:36 pm

    Yuni! I was just thinking “Nice that we got some runs, now i doesn’t matter when Yuni GIDPs…” What’s going on? I’m not used to watching this kind of success… my brain is confused!

  222. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 9:36 pm

    I like Wak, everytime they show him he seems to be always smiling. I guess its easy with a start like this. But it looks like he is really enjoying himself and really looks like a players coach.

  223. WardP on April 15th, 2009 9:37 pm

    Do you think MLB will let the M’s keep wearing the 42s?

  224. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:37 pm

    Lauren – you should feel sorry for the team that lost over 100 games last year…not the team that has won 4 out of 5 division titles

  225. WardP on April 15th, 2009 9:38 pm

    Ichi up with the infield in and the bases loaded. Fun. Also time for DirecTV to cut to commercial..

  226. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 9:38 pm

    Come to think of it, with all the 42′s, how about the base coaches started running too during that wild pitch. It would have totally confused the catcher, and someone could have scored. From second, straight over the pitcher’s mound.

    *crazy from glee*

  227. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:39 pm

    Ich grand slam. Come onnnnnnnnnnnnn….

  228. Sidi on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    WardP I know I love when they’re playing commercials during moments like…say…a 2 run homer.

  229. harry on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    Ichiro!!

  230. WardP on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    Salami!

  231. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    HOLY SHIT!!! Yes! Ichiro!

  232. UW10 on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    ICHIRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  233. red_devil20 on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    Goodbye Server!!!!

  234. tmac9311 on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    Ichiro Night!!!!

  235. apunetid on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    Server slow-down routine!!!

  236. naviomelo on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    ICHIRO

  237. Jordan 'JWay' Gillis on April 15th, 2009 9:40 pm

    ICHIRO!

  238. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:41 pm

    OMG I CALLED IT. HOLY SHIT! :) I’m buying a lottery ticket.

  239. JMHawkins on April 15th, 2009 9:41 pm

    Get out the rye bread and wasabi Grandma….

  240. tmac9311 on April 15th, 2009 9:41 pm

    Ichiro Night!!!!

  241. Colty on April 15th, 2009 9:41 pm

    NOooooo way!!! What a start!

  242. zvazda on April 15th, 2009 9:41 pm

    JoeGeema –
    That was my initial reaction too.
    Then i realized that team who lost over 100 games just lost their star outfielder for Erik Bedard (well and a lot of other minutia).
    And the team that won 4 out of 5 really just lost their studly young pitcher.

    Also… even though I get really excited about the Grand slams, I do feel a little tinge of sadness if Dave didn’t call them.

  243. Jordan 'JWay' Gillis on April 15th, 2009 9:41 pm

    ICHIRO!

  244. Sidi on April 15th, 2009 9:42 pm

    I couldn’t believe it off the bat, I figured that had to drop just short (because it’s Ichiro).

    My fault for doubting.

  245. b2 on April 15th, 2009 9:42 pm

    This almost feels like ’01. I’m giddy.

  246. naviomelo on April 15th, 2009 9:42 pm

    ICHIRO

  247. hark on April 15th, 2009 9:42 pm

    Ichiro! Ichiro! Ichiro! (Good Lord this team is fun to watch…)

  248. Mike Snow on April 15th, 2009 9:42 pm

    Wow, has 2008 ever been thoroughly buried tonight. Well, except for Batista, who was unfortunately exhumed.

  249. tmac9311 on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Ichiro Night!!!!

  250. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Salaami for ICHIRO!!!!!!

  251. harry on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Don’t go to 3-2 with Ichiro with no place to put him…. just wow.

  252. Matt Staples on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Wow! Talk about exceeding expectations (thus far)!

  253. Luc on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Did I seriously just call a grand slam? I’m buying a lotto ticket. Nice.

  254. Slippery Elmer on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    What a game! Bus even raised his trade value.

  255. Paul L on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    I have to admit, I got as big a kick out of the fact that I couldn’t get to this web site after the salami as I did for the HR itself.

    I just had this vision of the server starting to smoke :)

  256. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Holy freaking Ichiro… Welcome back!!! What a hell of a night for the M’s!

  257. Some Dude on April 15th, 2009 9:44 pm

    It doesn’t get much better than this…

  258. Sidi on April 15th, 2009 9:44 pm

    Ichiro grooming himself in the clubhouse.

    Can’t look mussed after completely showing up everyone else, after all.

  259. Farmer Cam on April 15th, 2009 9:45 pm

    WOW THAT SUZUKI GUY IS AWESOME!!

  260. Carson on April 15th, 2009 9:45 pm

    IIIIICCCHHHIIIIROOOO!

    Don’t EVER leave us again.

  261. JoeGeema on April 15th, 2009 9:45 pm

    Ichiro now has 4 more career grand slams than Prince Fielder

  262. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 9:46 pm

    7 in the 7th, whats that mean ?

  263. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 9:48 pm

    I love the dugout shot of Ichiro talking animatedly with Rob Johnson. Didn’t know Rob spoke Japanese! If only someone were was a lip reader, for other than curse words.

  264. Nettle on April 15th, 2009 9:48 pm

    Still glad I went to the game last night, but kinda wishing I was there tonight. Also, that is twice now that I wanted to hear Niehaus make the call instead of Sims (no offense intended to DaveS).

  265. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 9:50 pm

    If you watch the replay of Ichi’s slam you can see him kind of smile right before he swings… it’s like he’s thinking “watch this…”

  266. Paul L on April 15th, 2009 9:50 pm

    Serious question:

    Is it possible that the reason we were so bad last year is because the players themselves knew that McLaren & Bavasi sucked, so the players were pissed that there was no hope and it affected their play? And that simply changing the mgr and GM gave them hope, so now they’re playing better?

    Also, did anyone else noticed Ichiro talking to Johnson in the dugout? Looked like he was doing some teaching. Quite the cancer…

  267. JMHawkins on April 15th, 2009 9:53 pm

    Y’know what’s even more impressive than Ichiro’s slam?

    The USSM server didn’t melt

  268. NLhamster on April 15th, 2009 9:53 pm

    The Outfield Ninja is BACK!!!

  269. CougJustin on April 15th, 2009 9:55 pm

    I don’t know who else saw it but when Kenji came out injured one of the first people to put their arm around him was “the bus”. Maybe it really is a new day and a new way. After seeing that I am a believer.

  270. hark on April 15th, 2009 9:55 pm

    Outfield defense!!

  271. bBo2009 on April 15th, 2009 9:55 pm

    goooooooodyyyyy!!

  272. wokster on April 15th, 2009 9:57 pm

    Would Kelley be in line for a save if he finishes under the 3.0 quality innings of work section of the save rule…. maybe not if that’s….. GUTZ I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Ok back to the question, since Batista started the 7th but didn’t get any outs, technically Kelley would have pitched 3.0 innings and assuming he doesn’t give up a run in the 9th (if they throw him back out there) would that qualify as a save? I mean after coming in with 2 on and not giving up a run in the 7th I’d say that is “quality” stuff (although a little scary in the 8th).

    Guess that comes down to the discretion of the scorer eh?

  273. joser on April 15th, 2009 9:57 pm

    Maybe they should put him on the DL more often….

    (I kid!)

  274. Sidi on April 15th, 2009 10:02 pm

    Why would Griffey’s homer be everyone’s favorite play (the poll)?

    Personally, I’d put the grand slam well above it…and the catch on par with it.

  275. Rick L on April 15th, 2009 10:03 pm

    The server may not have melted on the slam, but it really slowed down on the catch by Death to Flying Things.

  276. hark on April 15th, 2009 10:06 pm

    I love the dugout shot of Ichiro talking animatedly with Rob Johnson. Didn’t know Rob spoke Japanese! If only someone were was a lip reader, for other than curse words.

    Ichiro! speaks almost perfect English. He just likes to screw with the media. But it’s good to see him talking and smiling with his teammates. It might shut people up about the “clubhouse chemistry” that he doesn’t contribute to.

    I don’t know who else saw it but when Kenji came out injured one of the first people to put their arm around him was “the bus”. Maybe it really is a new day and a new way. After seeing that I am a believer.

    Didn’t see that, but nice. As a catcher myself (through high school) and a Japanese student, I was a big fan of Kenji after his first two years. Last year was brutal…

  277. naviomelo on April 15th, 2009 10:06 pm

    Lowe throwing 96-98 according to Niehaus!

  278. az sr softball on April 15th, 2009 10:07 pm

    Hey, we walked 6 times tonight and only struck out 4 times.

  279. joser on April 15th, 2009 10:08 pm

    Man! Again, you gotta feel bad for the Angels. But YES Yuni!

    Lauren, you’re such a girl! ;) These are the hated, in-division rivals. When they’re down, you have to make sure they stay there. Feeling bad should be reserved for the woeful Nationals, or the Bloomquistian Royals.

  280. Rick L on April 15th, 2009 10:08 pm

    Guys who haven’t got a lot of work so far (Kelly, Lowe) are looking pretty good.

  281. Sidi on April 15th, 2009 10:08 pm

    Ichiro! speaks almost perfect English. He just likes to screw with the media.

    I don’t think it’s really screwing with the media. It gives him a chance to hear the question, then hear the question again in a different formulation. Extra time to think and consider his response. And then it gives him a defense if what comes out of his mouth isn’t quite right.

  282. z4ec on April 15th, 2009 10:10 pm

    Lowe = 98mph fast ball & isn’t afraid to throw breaking balls. And he can actually throw his fastball for strike.

    Just let him be our closer. Let Morrow get back to starting already.

  283. KingFelixtheCat on April 15th, 2009 10:10 pm

    Another W 7-2 making me more of a believer everyday

  284. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 10:12 pm

    I was being facetious, hark, so tired of reading endless comments, other places, about that non-English speaking clubhouse cancer. Please, you know Benard is jealous that he couldn’t claim to only speak French to get out of talking to the press.

    Being the pessimist that I am, I’ve got to wonder when the opponents are going to catch up with this ragtag fleet of a bullpen.

    Or will they? Wak seems more than willing to demand strikes, or pull them. Which is more than we could say a year ago. A year ago, Washburn would have come back out there to load up the bases. Batista would have come in and cleared them with a couple of dink/dunk singles, then loaded them up again before being pulled.

    How many hits did Ichiro have tonight? He needed three to break the Japanese record?

  285. Viking1983 on April 15th, 2009 10:14 pm

    Lowe and especially Kelley looked great today. Obviously Lowe didnt have any pressure so there was not much to do other than throw, but he still looked like his command was on.

    I also expect Morrow to get better over the course of the year as this is currently basically his spring training.

    I love having Ichiro back it really makes this lineup more filled out.

  286. hark on April 15th, 2009 10:14 pm

    How many hits did Ichiro have tonight? He needed three to break the Japanese record?

    2-5, HR, SB, 4 RBI, 2 R

  287. Lauren, token chick on April 15th, 2009 10:15 pm

    joser: Yeah, I do need to eradicate this lame-ass sympathy. But you have to admit that the Angels are in a special position right now. Besides, I save my REAL hate for those bastard Padres.

  288. z4ec on April 15th, 2009 10:17 pm

    Actually, Ichiro doesn’t wait for his translator to translate the question again before he answers. He just started answering right away in Japanese after soon he hears the questions.

  289. Colty on April 15th, 2009 10:18 pm

    Oh man Ichiro.

    “Is Pete Rose next?”
    “You must be bad at math.”

    He’s great.

  290. juneau_fan on April 15th, 2009 10:20 pm

    Ichiro being interviewed where he answers the question without a Japanese translation first. Killing me here. HEH!

    He tied the record with the grand slam, that’s why he had to hit a homer. Double-HEH

    Ichiro laughing that he and Endy, the two lightest guys in the league, hit home runs. He did look as though he was hitting from his shoe bottoms. Or was that a dig at guys who felt as though they had to ‘put on weight’ to hit home runs?

  291. Rick L on April 15th, 2009 10:20 pm

    Griffey’s OPS is now .933

  292. gottago on April 15th, 2009 10:22 pm

    18K 2nite. how many season tickets did the mariners sell?

  293. JerBear on April 15th, 2009 10:23 pm

    Man, I know they probably can’t keep playing quite this well all season, but damn this team is fun to watch!

    I don’t know who else saw it but when Kenji came out injured one of the first people to put their arm around him was “the bus”. Maybe it really is a new day and a new way. After seeing that I am a believer.

    I saw that too. And while I am by no means a Washburn fan and I still wish he weren’t a Mariner, I do think that whole thing with him and Kenji got a little blown out of proportion.

    What a game tonight! This kind of a start is what the fans really needed to see. They may not end up contending, but I do think they will be the team that gets the public sentiment turned around after years of sucktitude.

  294. hoponpop01 on April 15th, 2009 10:46 pm

    Is there somewhere I can listen to the radio calls? The video call of Griffey’s and Ichiro’s homeruns are on MLB At Bat already, but I want to hear Dave call it, not Sims (yes, I know his first name is Dave also…not the point)

  295. MedicineHat on April 15th, 2009 10:48 pm

    Jakubauskas is the starter tomorrow. Let’s go Jaku!

  296. davepaisley on April 15th, 2009 10:49 pm

    I saw that too. And while I am by no means a Washburn fan and I still wish he weren’t a Mariner, I do think that whole thing with him and Kenji got a little blown out of proportion.

    Yeah, and how much of that was driven by the local fishwrap and radio folks looking to manufacture a story? After all, losing is because of bad chemistry, and so they obviously had to unearth the source it (rolls eyes)…

  297. Axtell on April 15th, 2009 10:52 pm

    Where did you see Ichiro answer the question with ‘you must be bad at math”? That’s absolutely HILARIOUS.

  298. MKT on April 15th, 2009 11:41 pm

    If you watch the replay of Ichi’s slam you can see him kind of smile right before he swings… it’s like he’s thinking “watch this…”

    Is there video of that on the web? I suspect that most players are either so locked in, or so serious, that they can’t or won’t do that. But someone with a fast enough eye, and a relaxed attitude at the plate, like Ichiro perhaps, just might actually do that smile thing. Wouldn’t want to do it too big or too soon, or you’d get beaned in your next plate appearance, but a small involuntary one, just might happen.

  299. Breadbaker on April 16th, 2009 1:39 am

    Is there somewhere I can listen to the radio calls? The video call of Griffey’s and Ichiro’s homeruns are on MLB At Bat already, but I want to hear Dave call it, not Sims (yes, I know his first name is Dave also…not the point)

    I heard the game on the radio. It was Rick, not Dave, on the call. Good bye baseball.

  300. carlls007 on April 16th, 2009 3:54 am

    Just a thought- Maybe it was Franklin Gutierrez who contributed a big part of Cliff Lee’s Cy Young 2008,huh? Without Gut in the outfield, Lee will give up more hits every game.

    And of course they have Sizemore as well, but two gold gloves are much better than one

  301. joser on April 16th, 2009 11:42 am

    In case you haven’t see it yet, Halos Heaven has quite a talented contributer who posts stuff like this.

    Ahhhh…. there’s no freude quite as sweet as Schadenfreude.

  302. Matt the Dragon on April 16th, 2009 1:46 pm

    I was being facetious, hark, so tired of reading endless comments, other places, about that non-English speaking clubhouse cancer. Please, you know Benard is jealous that he couldn’t claim to only speak French to get out of talking to the press.

    Bedard’s relatively weak grasp of English is a big factor in him being “the Interview”.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.