Game 51, Padres at Mariners
Hisashi Iwakuma vs. James Shields, 12:40pm
Well, that was more like it.
The M’s try to take the series in today’s day game against veteran righty, James Shields. You know Shields and what he throws: he’s still got a rising four seamer and a change up that’s been his signature pitch for a decade or more. In recent years, he’s developed a hard cutter at 87mph or so that he used as a change of pace, and he needs a pitch like that, given that he throws his four seam or sinker around 40% of the time *combined*. It also seems like an attempt to improve his ability to get right-handed hitters out. For years, his fastball/change game led to even or even reverse platoon splits. That’s fine, but he was only league-average or so against righties. Keep the lefty-destroying change, and get a slider-y thing to get righties out, and he’d become a star. He rode the cutter to his best performance vs. righties in his career last year, but there was a catch: now lefties torched him. He throws the cutter to lefties as well, and for whatever reason, they’ve annihilated it. His splits are back to normal (er, for him) this year, but he’s also gotten a handle on his HR rate, which spiked despite his move to Petco park last year, sinking his 2015 campaign. Maybe the M’s can remind him of those troubles today..
Another thing to look for: Shields’ velocity is down this year.
1: Aoki, CF
2: Smith, LF
3: Cano, 2B
4: Cruz, DH
5: Seager, 3B
6: Lind, 1B
7: Gutierrez, RF
8: Clevenger, C
9: Sardiñas, SS
SP: Iwakuka
So, uh, Tacoma…tied New Orleans yesterday. I am acquainted with ties; I follow soccer, this is not unknown to me. I just never thought I’d be telling y’all about a tie baseball game. 2-2. Cody Martin was solid through 3 IP, giving up both runs, and then Casey Coleman shut things down with 4 Ks in 2 IP. James Paxton takes the hill tonight in Tacoma as the R’s welcome Salt Lake to Tacoma.
Jackson was off, but Andrew Moore will make his 2nd AA start against Tennessee tonight.
Bakersfield came back from an early 6-1 deficit in their 8-7 win over Inland Empire. Drew Jackson had 3 hits and Chantz Mack homered. The Blaze have an off day today.
Clinton lost a tough one, 6-5 to Burlington on a dreaded walk-off error. Logan Taylor homered for Clinton, but it wasn’t enough. The L-Kings head home to start a series vs. Quad Cities today with Art Warren on the mound.
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Who’s ditchin’ work check this out?
Out of sheer boredom, I found myself looking at Wil Myers’ game logs and saw two things that caught my attention.
The first, was that he had a 12 game hitting streak in early April. Nice way to start the season, right?
He followed that with a 19 game streak… of no walks.
I know, interesting, huh?
This is fun! And I’m off on Tuesday’s so I don’t have to worry about ditchin. Go me! and Go Mariners!
And now it’s even more fun!
2 innings, 7 runs–4 of which probably shouldn’t be on the board–and 63 pitches for Shields.
Cano with 3 walks and an RBI.
What an odd game.
Smith really rubbing in the salt against his former club.
Every starter now has a hit or a walk, as the Mariners are doing everything they can to humiliate the Padres.
Good to hear the Padres’ broadcasters picking on the appearance of Seattle fans. I guess that’s what happens when there’s nothing positive to say about your team, or anything negative about what you’re opponent is doing to you.
But hey, they did record their first hit of the game.
So Marc provided the preview, and I’m providing the commentary. Neither of us are getting paid–but don’t think we aren’t being rewarded.
I hope all of you who chose work or wives over the opportunity to relish in this onslaught, recognize with hindsight that you really screwed up.
Iwakuma has been brilliant as well.
Anyone know where I could find pitches per PA data? It feels like Seth Smith is near the top.
Been looking on Fangraphs, but can’t seem to find anything.
ESPN lists the pitches seen for each player in the box scores, but I don’t know about the season stats off the top of my head.
I can tell you that Smith is likely at or near the top for the Mariners, though. Consistently up there.
Had to do the work myself with exported data from Fangraphs…I hate that. lol
For players with more than 100 ABs, Smith is 28th in the league at 4.28 P/PA. The next Mariner on the list is Nelson Cruz in the 48th spot with 4.14 P/PA.
This is all good and fun, but if Iwakuma could STOP giving up home runs, that would be great.
It’s actually pretty hard to pitch with a lead that big. You want to just throw strikes, not be too fine about anything, and usually end up throwing too many meatballs in the process.
“Another thing to look for: Shields’ velocity is down this year.” – marc
Yeah, I think we noticed!
Joined the game 3 innings late and saw the 10-0 and laughed. Always nice to have an easy one to close out a series.
Stat of the day: 12 two-out RBIs for the Mariners.
Paxton was scratched and was getting hugs in the dugout. He’s either coming up (unlikely) or he’s on his way out.
If anyone has not heard, Paxton is on his way to SD, dunno what move is going to be made.
“Paxton is on his way to SD”
They probably figure San Diego is a nice way for Paxton to ease back into the majors – a soft landing.
It’s Felix going to the DL, apparently… 🙁