Game 21, Mariners at Blue Jays
Blake Beavan faces off against Ricky Romero and the Jays today at 4:07, the first of a three game series at the Rogers Centre. Coming into the season, we knew Beavan had plus control, but wondered how far his walk rate might regress. So far, he’s doubled down on being a pitch to contact guy, with a walk rate that’s actually under 3%, a K rate that’s under 10% and a ton of fly balls. Beavan’s curve’s looked better this year, though he’ll have to be careful in a domed stadium that plays HR-friendly.
Ricky Romero’s a lefty, so Wedge trots out the standard righty-heavy line-up. This means Alex Liddi’s in again and Kyle Seager sits until tomorrow. The “versus lefties” line-up hasn’t been bad, per se – they’ve got a better wOBA vs southpaws than righties – but they’re prone to K’s. Facing a guy with a great change-up, the M’s might swing and miss liberally, but a HR or two would help. The Blue Jays currently have the best team defensive efficiency in baseball, at 76%. The M’s just swept one of the most defensively-challenged squads in baseball and now face what may be the best defense around. All the more reason to take defense out of the equation and put a ball in the seats.
The big news of the afternoon is that Franklin Gutierrez has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. I swear he and Adam Moore are having some bizarre sort of competition. Chagas’ disease is unclaimed, guys.
The line-up:
1: Ackley (2B)
2: Ryan (SS)
3: Ichiro (RF)
4: Smoak (1B)
5: Montero (DH)
6: Liddi (3B)
7: Saunders (CF)
8: Olivo (C)
9: Wells (LF)
SP: Beavan
Go M’s!
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189 Responses to “Game 21, Mariners at Blue Jays”
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Really don’t get Ryan hitting second, again, but whatever. Can’t help but wonder if Guti is ever going to be 100%. Really hope they can find at least one more solid outfielder.
It’s interesting (to me, anyway) that Wedge has left Saunders in there against a lefty, while Figgins is sitting.
I thought the same Westy. I suspect it’s Wedge’s love of power and the temptation that comes with playing in a dome (Saunders being more likely to exploit a mistake).
It’s funny how he puts in a bunch of RHB in just becauset its a LHP, even thought lefties hit him way better.
Is that just sample size or did the M’s not do their homework?
He has a reverse split for his career. Not as extreme as the small 2012 sample, but reverse nonetheless.
Wedge does like to autopilot his decisions.
“Franklin Gutierrez has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.”
AKA “Irritable Arch Syndrome”
They’ll start calling things “Gutierrez Syndrome” before too long.
Nice job Liddi!
Walking Olivo takes some effort!
Good grief – if the guy can’t throw strikes, don’t give away an out by bunting!
That statement can go either way (walking Olivo)
(My “bunt” comment was in response to the radio guys, not to what was happening in the game.)
hehe Steve.
Oh Casper – but it looked high.
Nice… Ackley shows a lot more speed than you’d suspect.
At the risk of repeating myself here is what I said about Ryan batting second in the previous thread:
So I’m with Wedge on this one, Seager needs some pine time and Wells deserves to be playing more. Other than Olivo gettng swapped out with Jaso, this is a pretty good lineup. I’m even ok with Ryan hitting second, his OBP is .323. Wedge should get some credit for ignoring Ryans .163 BA, and rewarding his team leading 17.7 BB%.
Not that I think those are Wedges reasons for hitting Ryan 2nd but I think those are the reasons that it is a good decision. I also pointed out Ryan’s BABIP is .189, he has been hitting a lot better than his average indicates.
“It’s funny how he puts in a bunch of RHB in just becauset its a LHP, even thought lefties hit him way better.
Is that just sample size or did the M’s not do their homework?”
No one every got fired for going with conventional wisdom (here, RHB against LHP), but they’ve gotten fired for the opposite.
Nice break!
Two breaks in a row! And a run!
Damn, left the room for 30 seconds, and I miss a run?!
Glad I didn’t take transit today – I can listen to the game on the way home (when I eventually get to head that way…).
I have to believe the official scorer is going to change his ruling and give Ryan a hit. That was not an “ordinary effort” play for the 3B, was it?
Someone watching on TV will have a better idea, but Rizz made it sound like he misplayed the ball (briefly) and it went off his glove.
Did I notice a Mr Z sighting above? Tempting the streak, are we? Although your input was sound (and not surprising) it is clearly a violation if your self imposed rule. since it was not game related, I think we are going to be okay.
Speaking of okay: Liddi did play some SS in Tacoma last year (in a pinch) didn’t he? Was he “okay” … Or is he just not Major league SS athletic enough?
NOOOOO…..
Been out of the room more than I expected. How’s Beavan holdin’ up?
Nice, Ackley! Geez, didn’t realize that was the first hit.
Is Wells so talented that he can afford to go down twice on called strikes? He might quickly get in danger of taking his way down to Take-Oma. Don’t make wedgies job easy,Casper … Swing the bat. I did not see the second K but if it was an inch outside of the zone (like the first time) he just isn’t doing himself any favors watching the pitch go bye.
Hope Romero get’s pulled soon. He’s been pretty good today.
Monty!!!
Jesus!
Thankfully, they left Romero in. haha
I love watching Montero’s home run prance. It’s so awkward.
That was still a pretty good AB by Saunders.
Nice. Solid hit.
Wells!!
Way to make up for the called K’s!
Sweet – atta boy, Wells!
I also thought Saunders had a good AB, Steve. Against a tough lefty, too.
Steve finally gets his wish.
Seeing Saunders go down looking, on 3-4 pitch AB’s last year, drove me crazy! I can deal with the swinging K’s this year if he’s making the pitcher work.
No check swings, please
Damn, well, at least they tied it up.
For all we know, the “work” that Saunders caused wore out Romero just enough to hang that breaking ball to Wells, so yeah … It was a good AB by Michael. He has definitely shown improvement and there are glimpses of just how good he could be at times. I hope he puts it together and can become reliable, but he has definitely taken a step forward
Yeah, I agree. I’d just like to see that average & OBP up a little higher. I’d feel better with him in left when (if) Guti’s back.
I can’t believe that they just used the previous USS Mariner post on the broadcast.
Nice k by Delabar. Nasty strikeout pitch!
Open base here … Don’t be too “fine”
Actually, his OBP is higher than I realized, thanks to his 7 walks. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to see it even higher though;)
That article was in the PI online, too. May have gotten it from either spot, but it appears our boy Marc is moving up in the world.
The PI still exists?
We don’t get stories from the PI. Ha.
WOW
Sweeeeeet throw! Good call
So Olivo’s stabbing his glove into the dirt motion has a purpose after all…
Ichiro!!!
Ichiro says no!
Great throw.
He was safe.
I don’t know guys, I don’t live up there … I clicked on one of the ussm links (thought it was the PI) link. May have been the “Times.”.
The PI still exists, sadly.
msfan – it was just a joke because the PI stopped having a print presence and became online only at which point the entire city more or less forgot it existed.
Safe, huh? I thought it was a good call. Great throw. Nice tag. Ump had position – no argument from Blue Jays. Good news for the good guys. Maybe my eyes are going bad.
Roger that Zzyzx …. And can we give you a vowel?
y counts!
Thames looks like he could kick a lot of people’s asses … And I think he just kicked ours
Really annoying to see that happen twice in the same game.
Crap. Please don’t let this game be a cluster duck.
“sometimes” unless my 2nd grade teacher was lying … But you are right.
The worm turned rather quickly here, didn’t it?
Our only chance might be to “FREE the SCOTTSMAN”. The ban is lifted Mr Z … Time to dive back in!!!
Great call Sims…
Game over.
So… down two, three outs to go. Who thinks we can do this? I want a show of hands.
(I notice that my hand is not up, even though I don’t know anything about the Jays closer. This team doesn’t strike me as the type to pull out a win down two in the ninth. But I’ve been wrong (many times) before.
Saunders!!! Keepin’ it alive
Saunders!
SAUNDERS!!!
What a great at bat!!!!! Just great!!!!!
Where is Jaso! Surely PH for Olivo.
Fly, Condor, Fly!
Hmm, no pinch hitter for olivo. Stunner
I hope they make them pay for that error!
Got a break. Need another one
Why would they pinch hit for Olivo? It’s not like they have a left handed hitting catcher on the bench.
We need a money bag.
CRAP! I got out of my car, got in the house and turned on the TV… and MISSED Condor’s HR!
Oh this is unbelievable!
And there’s the break. Need a bloop, now.
Three times in one game, a runner advances to 3rd from 1t, on pick-off attempts. Crazy
Jaso baby!
Come on Jaso!!!!
C’mon Jaso!
You missed a hell of an AB and a bomb to just left of center. A bomb!
“Here I come to save the day!!!” – as sung by MrZDevotee and John Jaso!
Two outs, so what!
Jingleheimerschmidt- channel Luis Rodrigue
jaso!!!
YES!!
JASO!
My man!
BAM–
You’re welcome everyone (MrZ & Jaso)
I have never been so glad to be wrong in my life.
The SCOTTSMAN arrives just in time! Why send ackkey with Ichiro up next. Come on data … You don’t do dat
/fistbump MrZ
What’s up with Datz sending the runners with no real chance? Retarded.
Mike-
I was only responsible for the first run… Not sending Ackley. (sigh)
What, no love for the guy who summoned the SCOTTSMAN?
Really should have given Ichiro a chance to get Ackley in. The Jays gave them a gift that they did not capitalize on fully.
Good thing Wedge has most of his bullpen pitch a third of an inning each for no discernable reason…
This has turned into a really fun game!
Oh this game is so sweet. Worth the price of admission, even though I’m only paying for regular cable
Freaking bench Olivo.
I like being aggressive, but pick your spots. How can you keep Jaso out of the lineup moving forward? 6 RBI in 13 ABs.
Uh oh, Figgins hitting in the #2 spot? It’s gonna throw off all that mojo he’s gotten back as the lead-off hitter this year…
Playoff baseball in April. I like the feeling.
Funny that Liddi is having a good game without a hit.
Yeah, no kidding Mike!
I actually only showed up to check the score, as I thought the game was over by now… But now I get to actually watch some (although, now that it’s tied, am I banished again?)
hahaha, Bautista hardly touches that and it still goes fairly hard at Liddi.
Can’t believe I missed Condor’s home run! hehe
You did your job, Z – no complaints
He had a couple hard shots foul, before hitting the ball to center Westy. Had a feeling he was gonna put a charge into it.
I’d hate to be on the other side of that…
No, not banned. You were actually summoned, did your job and there are no more bench players, so it’s your game, kid
Nice job Charlie!
Nice pitch, Charlie! Good level of confidence to throw that on 3-2
Phew- makes me nervous when a guy gets to watch 10 pitches from the same pitcher, that rarely ends favorably. Nice work.
Soft throwing lefty. We feasted on one in Detroit.
You can have a long swing against this guy. Tailor made for smoak
95 … That had to be a typo. 87 got ripped!
Montero’s due for his first extra-innings RBI
That’ll do!
We couldn’t have less speed on the bases right now haha!
We have the base cloggers on. Beats the alternative, though.
So, if you’re the Jays infield do you go for the double play by going 3rd to 2nd? (might be easier) *laugh*
Anyone have salt and pepper for my crow sandwich?
Liddi!!!!
Thank God Datz held Smoak
Oh, man, I was afraid they really were sending Smoak there.
This drama is killing me. Most exciting game so far this season, no??? Especially as we try to win four in a row and become Road Masters!
I don’t think anyone was scoring from second on that play. Come on Saunders. If you hit a fly, make it deep!
^Totally agree!
nvn-
I believe Smoak, Montero and Liddi have your salt for you, and Saunders is trying to “pour it on!”
God, there is NOBODY at the Rogers Centre. Serves you right for playing on crappy artificial turf (or Astroturf, as we old-schoolers used to call it).
Saunders!
YESS!!!!
Grand salami!!
YES! YES! YES!
Wooooooooooohooo westy!!!!!
holy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. League… paging Mr. League. Your car is ready.
There’s his breakout game!
I’m so glad I didn’t turn this off.
Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me!! Saunders for President!!
actually, it’s not a save is it… Nevermind. (Car is totalled)
Saw THAT one.
It has only taken him 3 years but Saunders is showing signs of wanting to be a big leaguer!
Gameday seems to be malfunctioning again. It’s making frankly absurd claims about Michael Saunders.
Can I have some salami on my crow sandwich?
OFF A LEFTY! WOW!
YEAH CONDOR!!!
nvn-
“Get out the mustard and the rye bread grandma… it’s Crow Salami time!”
Well MrZ, I think you’re officially off the hook.
No issues with Miggy hitting in this situation. LOL
CONDOR!!!!! He doesn’t even look like the same guy as last year.
Love that they really made the Jays pay for their errors. We’ve been on the other end of that plenty of times. We were due for that!
Olivo put good wood on that.
Saunders might be figuring out what I hope Smoak figures out next… Being “careful” is not a successful approach to batting in the Major Leagues. It leads to ugly at bats. Whereas, shutting off your mind and trusting your instincts can lead to good, unexpected results… Not everytime, but more often than trying to think your way through it…
It is a little frustrating that it has taken THIS long for Saunders to show up but WOW!
I wonder how many games in 2010 and 2009 we scored 7 or more runs…
CONDOOOR! I feel real bad for Guti, but now I’m suddenly not so worried about the CF position.
Close this thing out! No screwing around, throw strikes.
“How many?” zzyzx…
I’d say it usually took us about 7 games to score 7 runs…
(I know that’s not what you meant, but it made it funnier)
I was saying earlier that I’d love to see Saunders in left when Guti’s back. With the way things are going, there’s no reason to rush Carp back in there (when he’s recalled)
Things REALLY ARE changing for us… League DIDN’T put the 1st batter on base…
Wow.
Funny you mentioned that Z, I was thinking the same thing
I’m looking forward to seeing the graph of this on lookout landing…
…and yes I could go to fangraphs but where’s the fun in that?
That was fun. Time for me to see if I can go close on a high leverage situation
There we go! That was one FUN game!
Condor hit the slam because he’d heard the one guy who’d kept defending him had missed the earlier HR.
4 game winning streak! I’ve heard about these things, but never seen one in person.
It’s lovely.
Cool that so many players contributed tonight, but Saunders grand-slam was the icing on the cake!
zzyzx – totally agree. Those graphs just aren’t the same without the picture.
So the slugging Seattle Mariners have just won four in a row… based on decent pitching but also an offense that capitalizes on mistakes and hits the ball out of the yard. You have to wonder if this is all a dream.
What’s funny is – for all Wedge’s talk about the veterans, it was the kids getting it done tonight (and has been, most of the time).
Well, except for one peculiarly overlooked veteran that gunned down somebody at home, all the way from right field…
I saw the Mariners get perfect-gamed on Sunday. Tonight I saw the Mariners make the perfect comeback. And I have to say, tonight is better.
Bury the Angels! Their chance of making the playoffs is now 21.6% according to ESPN. Of course it’s silly to talk about that in late April, but it still puts a smile on my face…
It’s been shown before – April matters. The Angels have dug themselves into a darn deep hole. Whatever their true talent level is, there are just too many good teams they need to climb over in order to get the wild card (yeah, the AL West is a foregone conclusion at this point).
Man, I know the Mariners will have me pulling my hair out at times this year – but it is SO MUCH FUN seeing a bunch of young talented players when they’re all clicking!
Westside…It’s true, you can’t win a championship in April, but you can lose one….however….
We’re only 4.5 games back. That is an easy deficit to make up. Texas has been on fire, and that’s going to cool at some point. Hopefully, we’ll stay hotter than the cooling of Texas’ streak.
as Saunders is going into the dug out after his Salami, you can see Hector Noesi with a batting helmet on
I’m going to take credit for this win because I’m the one that said “game over” and I have to say that I’m enjoying my crowlami sandwich… I kid, I kid…
Saunders might be figuring out what I hope Smoak figures out next… Being “careful” is not a successful approach to batting in the Major Leagues.
Yes and no. Its really about pitch recognition, swinging at pitches in the zone, and laying off of pitches out of the zone.
As I said, way back July 2, 2010 about Saunders, comparing him to Josh Hamilton:
He even looked a little like Hamilton tonight. Saunders, Hamilton and Smoak are all similar in that they have low contact rates. That can be a problem but swinging at strikes and not swinging at balls can mitigate that. If you have a 75% contact rate swinging at strikes means that you won’t get to a two strike count as often if you are swinging at strikes one and two, because some of those are going to be hits, or at least balls in play. But swinging at balls is just going to make things worse.
That was pretty amazing. Yeah, I just watched the replay again.
Thanks for that cheap error w/2 outs in the 9th, Lawrie.