Game 47, Mariners at Athletics

DMZ · May 26, 2009 at 6:15 pm · Filed Under Mariners 

Washburn, who may be the New, Improved Washburn or may yet discover he has a hangnail before gametime v. Braden.

Also, Quiroz up to replace the DL’d Johjima.

Comments

84 Responses to “Game 47, Mariners at Athletics”

  1. cdowley on May 26th, 2009 6:33 pm

    Quiroz? Guierllmo Quiroz? Seriously?

    God, I would have been happier with Burke…

  2. cdowley on May 26th, 2009 6:34 pm

    Wow, butchered Quillermo’s name… go me for paying attention…

  3. jephdood on May 26th, 2009 6:41 pm

    Wow, butchered Quillermo’s name… go me for paying attention…

    Meh.. whatever.. the KJR update guy just referred to him as “Guillermo Queer-zo”. And not to be funny or anything, I don’t think. They just don’t know their stuff over there.

  4. dingla on May 26th, 2009 6:53 pm

    Quiroz. Who would have ever thought. He is from Venezuela too! Perhaps him and Felix will turn out to be the ultimate battery.

  5. Breadbaker on May 26th, 2009 7:05 pm

    He’ll feel right at home here. His 2009 Tacoma stats: 9K, 0BB.

  6. Paul B on May 26th, 2009 7:17 pm

    Why is Yuni hitting second and Gut hitting 9th? In what world does that make sense?

    OK, as I write this Yuni gets on, but still.

  7. joser on May 26th, 2009 7:18 pm

    New post from Drayer. Reading poetry to good ol’ Texan relief pitchers? John Wetteland has now moved ahead of Zduriencik as the Guy I’d Most Like to See and Hear at a future USSM event.

    Also, the promise of some bitchin’ fashion photos of Griffey and Sweeney in the future, courtesy of Ichiro.

  8. Paul B on May 26th, 2009 7:19 pm

    He’ll feel right at home here. His 2009 Tacoma stats: 9K, 0BB.

    As a Mariner, he’s 0 for 2. Hopefully he’ll get a few hits this time.

  9. cgmonk on May 26th, 2009 7:20 pm

    Sweeney fell down rounding third.

  10. jgwood675 on May 26th, 2009 7:22 pm

    That little stumble cost us a run. How did anyone not see that coming.

  11. MAD M00SE on May 26th, 2009 7:24 pm

    SERIOUS QUESTION..what happened to Jeff Clement? Seriously…

  12. joser on May 26th, 2009 7:24 pm

    Actually, having Guti get on ahead of Ichi makes some sense, in the whole “speed on the basepaths pressuring the pitcher” thing, though it does increase the likelyhood of Ichiro hitting into a double play (there’s little threat of that with Betancourt batting 9th, since the bases are usually empty for Ichiro).

    Also Betancourt has said that he found it hard to hit ahead of Ichiro, and since he had success when he got put into the 2 hole (two walks!) Wakamatsu said they were going to stick with that for now.

  13. joser on May 26th, 2009 7:25 pm

    SERIOUS QUESTION..what happened to Jeff Clement? Seriously…

    His knee won’t let him catch. There’s already a left-handed DH on the M’s roster, and it would be kind of hard to bump him seeing as how he’s a fan favorite and all.

  14. MAD M00SE on May 26th, 2009 7:26 pm

    WOW I didnt know his knee was so bad…well they say knee surgery is the kiss of death for a catcher…bummer…and thank you

  15. joser on May 26th, 2009 7:29 pm

    Actually Drayer has a bunch of posts. Johjima out 6-8 weeks and Quiroz impresses her with his maturity and near-accentless English (thanks to Boras). Hey, if the guy can convince Felix to pitch more intelligently, he could have a batting average of zero and still help the team.

  16. Paul B on May 26th, 2009 7:30 pm

    Two girls seated in the first row behind home plate, both looking down at something. My guess is that they are texting instead of watching the game.

    Oakland in May.

  17. Paul B on May 26th, 2009 7:33 pm

    Bad Washburn seems to have shown up tonight.

    Although that last ball looked pretty good.

  18. joser on May 26th, 2009 7:35 pm

    Yeah, Clement been DH’ing in Tacoma for the past several weeks. He’s hitting really well (.302 / .375 / .523, and that’s including a very slow start) but he has only caught 16 games and none of them recently. Basically, he’s a 1B/DH at this point, and Tacoma already has so many 1Bs they’re playing some in the outfield, so he’s not learning to do that either. A lot of people don’t ever expect to see him in a Mariners’ uniform again.

  19. juneau_fan on May 26th, 2009 7:36 pm

    They’re just waiting for the game to be over so that they can ask Giambi to sign their chests. I went to a game there during his first stint and kept wondering why so many not-sports-fans looking women were there. I figured it out eventually.

    Although, do they really want a piece of that?

  20. Axtell on May 26th, 2009 7:36 pm

    Two girls seated in the first row behind home plate, both looking down at something. My guess is that they are texting instead of watching the game.

    Oakland in May.

    Or just about any ballpark in America. Was this post even necessary, or just bitter because they have better seats than you?

    Washburn’s going to blame tonight’s performance on his ‘injury’, I can already feel it.

  21. louder on May 26th, 2009 7:38 pm

    Come on, let’s get a K here

  22. louder on May 26th, 2009 7:38 pm

    Ground out to first will do also.

  23. Paul B on May 26th, 2009 7:38 pm

    Or just about any ballpark in America. Was this post even necessary, or just bitter because they have better seats than you?

    Since I’m not in Oakland, I think I have better seats than them.

  24. jvalentine on May 26th, 2009 7:42 pm

    With Kenji out and Rob Johnson getting the bulk of the playing time and hitting .188, should we start gearing up for RoJo drink night for the 2009 season?

  25. louder on May 26th, 2009 7:44 pm

    It’s amazing how many quiet, 1,2,3, innings the Mariners’ have in a game.

  26. msb on May 26th, 2009 7:44 pm

    I’ll be curious to see if Rob keeps getting the bulk of playing time if Quiroz catches as Wak seems to think he can, and hits at all ….

  27. Paul B on May 26th, 2009 7:45 pm

    The commercial with the talking VW bug — the guys sounds sort of like he ended up with a fake Japanese accent instead of the fake German accent he was supposed to be shooting for.

  28. henryv on May 26th, 2009 7:46 pm

    Yeah, Clement been DH’ing in Tacoma for the past several weeks. He’s hitting really well (.302 / .375 / .523, and that’s including a very slow start) but he has only caught 16 games and none of them recently. Basically, he’s a 1B/DH at this point, and Tacoma already has so many 1Bs they’re playing some in the outfield, so he’s not learning to do that either. A lot of people don’t ever expect to see him in a Mariners’ uniform again.

    When Beltre is gone, Branyan goes to third, and Clement goes to first?

    Or if Branyan AND Beltre go before the trade deadline, it might be Tui at third, and Clement at first…

    Of course, Carp probably deserves it more…

  29. henryv on May 26th, 2009 7:46 pm

    Freaking hell.

    We have a pitcher struggling, and we let him out with 8 pitches.

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgh.

  30. msb on May 26th, 2009 7:51 pm

    Has Sweeney reappeared from the clubhouse?

  31. henryv on May 26th, 2009 7:52 pm

    I can’t even stand watching Yuni try to catch a simple pop up.

  32. joser on May 26th, 2009 7:52 pm

    Branyan is not good at 3rd (-6.9 UZR/150, vs +1.3 at 1st), and Clement would have to learn how play 1B. Is that something we really want to see? Tui is injured also…

  33. louder on May 26th, 2009 7:55 pm

    Oakland has already have 11 lob’s.

  34. jvalentine on May 26th, 2009 7:56 pm

    When Beltre is gone, Branyan goes to third, and Clement goes to first?

    We have too many 1B in this organization. I say add Clement to any deal that we can get worked out to get more prospects or current players (left handed hitters please?!?!?). Let Clement play somwhere else and have a respectable 6-8 year career before his knee is destroyed.

  35. juneau_fan on May 26th, 2009 7:56 pm

    Thank you, joser. If one more person asks about Branyan at 3rd one more time, I’m going to kill myself. That and, “Where’s Clement!?”

  36. jvalentine on May 26th, 2009 7:56 pm

    btw it would be amazing if washburn can get through the 5th tonight with the lead.

  37. cgmonk on May 26th, 2009 7:57 pm

    Lower back spasms for Sweeney, Griffy in as DH.

  38. msb on May 26th, 2009 7:58 pm

    I guess not, if Jr is stepping to the plate.

  39. henryv on May 26th, 2009 8:02 pm

    Clement is learning how to play 1B, allegedly.

    And Tui’s injury isn’t going to last until late July, from what I have read.

    I mean, if someone makes us a great or good deal for Beltre and Branyan, exactly what is the plan?

  40. Axtell on May 26th, 2009 8:02 pm

    Since I’m not in Oakland, I think I have better seats than them.

    Bitter, much?

    The Coliseum isn’t pretty, but any game at any stadium directly behind home plate is indeed better than where you are sitting.

    Why did Griffey pinch hit for Sweeney? I’m stuck without being able to watch or hear the game.

  41. msb on May 26th, 2009 8:04 pm

    Larry Stone talked about Bavasi’s trades today versus Zduriencik’s mining of talent…

  42. henryv on May 26th, 2009 8:04 pm

    Okay, if we all hate Branyan to third, and a team makes a good offer for Beltre (better than a end-of-the-first-round compensation), do we not have a single option?

    Chris Shelton is playing there today in Tacoma…

  43. cgmonk on May 26th, 2009 8:08 pm

    That was funny, the shift is on and Beltre did a nice Betancourt impression.

  44. msb on May 26th, 2009 8:18 pm

    Sigh. I was afeared they’d lose their chance to score again after the first inning ….

  45. jld on May 26th, 2009 8:21 pm

    Why did Griffey pinch hit for Sweeney? I’m stuck without being able to watch or hear the game.

    They said on the tee-vee that Sweeney is having lower back spasms.

  46. msb on May 26th, 2009 8:23 pm

    Looked like he jammed it on the slide and then torqued it on the fall. Neither good for an iffy back.

  47. cgmonk on May 26th, 2009 8:24 pm

    Jeff Clement featured on “Building to the future”

  48. juneau_fan on May 26th, 2009 8:25 pm

    The worse thing with Joh gone is the return of the Rob Johnson tongue bath.

  49. TJ Dirk on May 26th, 2009 8:25 pm

    Rob Johnson – .000/.059/.000 against left handed pitching…

  50. TJ Dirk on May 26th, 2009 8:41 pm

    great AB by Branyan

  51. Dixoner on May 26th, 2009 8:54 pm

    The M’s should package Betancourt/Chavez to the Padres for Chase Headley. Let Cedeno play SS for now. Call up Michael Saunders and bench Balentien, Saunders is killing the ball at AAA lets see if this left handed bat can do the same at the MLB level.

  52. TJ Dirk on May 26th, 2009 8:57 pm

    Yes!… Ichiro!

  53. fiftyone on May 26th, 2009 9:19 pm

    This very situation is why you want Kelley back ASAP.

  54. TJ Dirk on May 26th, 2009 9:20 pm

    WTF! throw strikes, please!

  55. fiftyone on May 26th, 2009 9:20 pm

    Putrid two outings in a row from Lowe.

  56. JerBear on May 26th, 2009 9:21 pm

    Damn.

  57. Flowin on May 26th, 2009 9:21 pm

    wow.. a 4 pitch walk with the bases loaded? Has Wak learned anything from the Giants game?

    Bring in Sean White!!

  58. TJ Dirk on May 26th, 2009 9:21 pm

    UUGGGHHH!

  59. Paul L on May 26th, 2009 9:22 pm

    This is just depressing. We’re losing to a team with 50 fans in the stands.

  60. henryv on May 26th, 2009 9:27 pm

    We’re losing to a team with 50 fans in the stands.

    52, thank you very much.

    But, as the Marlins prove, fans are overrated.

  61. TJ Dirk on May 26th, 2009 9:32 pm

    Who needs fans when the Yankees and Red Sox are so far over the Luxury Tax that teams like the A’s can stay profitable with a Denny’s breakfast payroll…

  62. bradguy on May 26th, 2009 9:33 pm

    Games like this just make the transition to a younger team come faster.

  63. henryv on May 26th, 2009 9:33 pm

    Who needs fans when the Yankees and Red Sox are so far over the Luxury Tax that teams like the A’s can stay profitable with a Denny’s breakfast payroll…

    Is that during breakfast, or late at night…

    Cause after about 1pm, those breakfasts get EXPENSIVE!

  64. fiftyone on May 26th, 2009 9:36 pm

    Will Wak pinch-hit for Rob Johnson?

  65. madwlad on May 26th, 2009 9:38 pm

    Rob Johnson HR right here.

  66. madwlad on May 26th, 2009 9:39 pm

    or not

  67. lucky on May 26th, 2009 9:40 pm

    Johnson looked very…hapless up there.

  68. fiftyone on May 26th, 2009 9:40 pm

    Just get on FraGu.

  69. madwlad on May 26th, 2009 9:42 pm

    Well,that sucked.

  70. henryv on May 26th, 2009 9:43 pm

    Wow. I got up to pee and the M’s are done.

  71. henryv on May 26th, 2009 9:44 pm

    Batista’s ERA for the game was a pleasant 108.

  72. SequimRealEstate on May 26th, 2009 9:48 pm

    If you want to win a game you do not put in Batista. This ones on Wak.

  73. TomTuttle on May 26th, 2009 9:56 pm

    Aside from the fact Batista sucks, I lost some respect tonight for Lowe with that AB against Holliday.

    Mark,

    If you want to be a closer in this business, which I know you do, you DO NOT pitch around someone with the sacks full.

    Especially in a situation like the one he was in:
    *Up 2 runs
    *2 outs
    *Defense to pitch to
    *BIG ball park where the ball DOESN’T carry at night
    *Right-handed hitter up

    If you can throw the fastball 99 MPH like Lowe can and you have good command of that pitch (which Lowe does) along with a breaking ball to boot, YOU DO NOT NIBBLE in that situation if you consider yourself a solid closer.

    You don’t give Holliday meat to hit, sure, but you don’t nibble.

    Absolutely no guts and no intelligence were shown in that situation.

    Hopefully there will be a team out there willing to take him and Morrow/Fields out of our hands.

  74. Breadbaker on May 26th, 2009 9:57 pm

    Wak had been walking a tightrope with both Lowe and Batista for weeks. Between results based analysis and statistics based analysis, the statistics are coming home to roost. We need someone in the bullpen who can miss bats other than Aardsma.

  75. Slippery Elmer on May 26th, 2009 10:02 pm

    Holy crap! I try not to check out other mens’ wives, but on the postgame show Angie Mentink’s top is unbuttoned almost to her belly button. Are they looking for a ratings boost or something?

  76. xxtinynickxx on May 26th, 2009 10:06 pm

    I know I’m wondering what is up with Angie’s shirt to. Crap you don’t even have to try and throw popcorn down that thing.now way to miss….nice though….

  77. TomTuttle on May 26th, 2009 10:08 pm

    Wak had been walking a tightrope with both Lowe and Batista for weeks. Between results based analysis and statistics based analysis, the statistics are coming home to roost. We need someone in the bullpen who can miss bats other than Aardsma.

    Sean White seems to doing well and Jason Vargas might end up being a decent leftie out of the bullpen once he gets inedibly kicked out of the rotation this year or next.

    Just hope that Kelley comes back strong soon.

  78. TomTuttle on May 26th, 2009 10:10 pm

    Seriously, I almost wonder if we should post a countdown clock on this page counting down to the start of the 2010 season since people think it’ll be finally be “Z’s Team” then.

  79. bilbo27 on May 26th, 2009 10:17 pm

    I’m hoping they do continue to struggle for a few more weeks. I mean, I’m as big of an M’s fan as anybody (I’m a full season ticket holder and everything), but this years playoff chances are iffy at best, even without injuries like they’ve been having.

    JZ’s got quite a lot of trade pieces here and given he actually knows what he’s doing, I’d like him to be able to start making moves sooner rather than later. If the M’s start playing well, given this weak division, they could feasibly stay in it if they can stay around .500 all the way to the trade deadline and beyond. So best to struggle now and let JZ make some moves, than stay around .500 and tie his hands until closer to the deadline. Just my opinion. If nothing else, it makes tough losses like today easier to swallow.

  80. wrob4343 on May 26th, 2009 10:19 pm

    Wak had been walking a tightrope with both Lowe and Batista for weeks. Between results based analysis and statistics based analysis, the statistics are coming home to roost. We need someone in the bullpen who can miss bats other than Aardsma.

    I cringe every time either of them take the mound…

    …but this is getting ridiculous, I know the luck went the way of the M’s early, but its reversed so much so that its totally ridiculous.

  81. Utis on May 26th, 2009 10:21 pm

    That was bad location by Lowe on the pitch to Giambi. You know he is geared for a FB and probably cheating on it. If for some reason you can’t or won’t throw a first pitch slider, you have to jam him with the FB.

    The AB to Holliday was bad as well. Lowe has good enough stuff to pitch inside. You can’t be afraid to come inside in those situations. Of course, maybe it was Johnson who called for those pitches.

    The A’s closer OTOH wasn’t afraid to come right after our hitters. Of course, he was pitcing against us.

  82. Anthony on May 26th, 2009 10:37 pm

    The AB to Holliday was bad as well. Lowe has good enough stuff to pitch inside. You can’t be afraid to come inside in those situations. Of course, maybe it was Johnson who called for those pitches.

    Rob Johnson calls an amazing game and should never be questione…….hahahaha, sorry, I almost made it.

  83. Breadbaker on May 26th, 2009 11:10 pm

    I simply assumed it was Kenji signalling Johnson from the bench. Didn’t it have to be?

  84. henryv on May 26th, 2009 11:36 pm

    Johnson wasn’t calling the pitches, at least from what I saw when watching.

    Every single pitch, Johnson would look to the dugout.

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