4/8: Open Game Thread

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 5:10 PM PDT in Seattle Mariners Regular News

Because, dammit, I can't wait any longer.

Texas Rangers @ Seattle Mariners, 10:05pm EST.

Starting lineups:

Texas:

Soriano 2B
Blalock 3B
Young SS
Teixeira 1B
Hidalgo RF
Gonzalez DH
Mench LF
Matthews Jr. CF
Barajas C

The Ho "SP"

Seattle:

Ichiro RF
Reed CF
Betre 3B
Sexson 1B
Boone 2B
Ibanez DH
Winn LF
Olivo C
Valdez SS

Sele SP

How much can we expect from Sele tonight against one of his former teams? What would you consider to be a good start?

LET'S GO MARINERS!

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Poulsbo's own

I'm working tonight, designing the front page of The Sun (the official "hometown" paper of Aaron Hjelmer Sele and William Dynamite Bloomquist) and, during our 4:30 staff meeting to map out the placement of stories, brought up the issue of how big a deal to make the story of Poulsbo's own -- whether we should put a big picture of him in our "skybox" (the teaser space up top on page A1).

Quoth our managing editor: "It's not like he's going to get out of the fourth inning, so let's not go overboard."

"It is always darkest before the dawn ... which makes it the perfect time to steal your neighbor's sports section."

by Jim Thomsen on Apr 8, 2005 5:33 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Poulsbo's own

That's pretty funny.

by ryanhealy on Apr 8, 2005 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions

aaron

i'm saying: 5 ip, 3 r, 2 er, 6 h, 4 k, 2 w; and i'd consider that an especially good result. if reed'll get on base for beltre one time, that would be even more miraculous...

rightly, in every age it is assumed we are witnessing the disappearance of the last traces of paradise... Cioran

by toonprivate on Apr 8, 2005 5:55 PM PDT reply actions

HJELMER TIME! CAN'T TOUCH THIS!

I almost agree, except that as much as there is to dislike about Sele as a pitcher, poor control isn't one of them. He doesn't strike out anyone, but neither does he issue a bushel of free passes.

I'll say: 5 1/3 innings, 8 hits, 5 runs 4 earned, 1 walk, 1 strikeout.

"It is always darkest before the dawn ... which makes it the perfect time to steal your neighbor's sports section."

by Jim Thomsen on Apr 8, 2005 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions

big sele...

I think he's going to blow us away tonight, something along the lines of 7IP, 1ER, 5H, 2W, 6K.

Unfortunately, that will give the front office the crazy idea that he's worth a damn and Sele will block Felix from getting called up midseason.

Yeah, and CHEERS to Jeremy Reed, hopefully he gets his first hit tonight! LET'S PLAY BALL!

by Kirk Hammett on Apr 8, 2005 6:12 PM PDT reply actions

The sad part is...

Sele won't be going up against the Ho every start. That's when it will get ugly.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 6:22 PM PDT reply actions

Chan Ho

dominates against the M's...

Sele...eggh.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 6:26 PM PDT reply actions

Me...

I'm just impressed that Wee Willie hasn't gotten a start yet.

Hargrove threatened to bring the nightmare to reality during the offday, but nothing materialized.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 6:28 PM PDT reply actions

Willie

I'd rather have Willie out there than Vilson Waldez...

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Willie

Valdez's minor league numbers translate to be roughly equal to Willie's in the Majors, so I'll take the glove and be happy for the week or so until Pokey's back.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Valdez Glove

I am no Willie defender, but I haven't been happy at all with Valdez's glove. He seems to be asleep on hard hit grounders, his arm isn't very good, and his range is awful. Plus, he attempted to get an out at 3rd instead of first with a man on 2nd. Result= Men on 1st and 3rd, nooobody out.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Valdez Glove

On the contrary, I've liked what I've seen of Valdez's range so far. He's gotten to balls up the middle that we've been seeing get through to the outfield for years.

Hard to say for sure. Small sample sizes apply to defenders just as much as they do hitters or pitchers.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

The #7

Hey does anyone know the former Mariners that used to wear the number 7? I know one of them is Jeff Cirillo. I swear the suckiness of Cirillo is eating its way into Jeremy Reed through that dam number.

Go back to 58 Reed before its to late

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 8, 2005 6:33 PM PDT reply actions

Yes. I keep a #'s database

2 average players, Meyer and Mitchell, and the rest are scrubs. Olivo wore it for 2 games, so it doesn't really count.

Dan Meyer Jim Essian Spike Owen Steve Yeager Mike Kingery Mike Brumley Alonzo Powell Kevin Mitchell Jeff Cirillo Miguel Olivo

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Kingalicious

Dear God. Mike Kingery. That's Jeremy Reed's exact worst-case career scenario.

"It is always darkest before the dawn ... which makes it the perfect time to steal your neighbor's sports section."

by Jim Thomsen on Apr 8, 2005 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Kingalicious

You're right.

That's pretty creepy. And ominous.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions

King Jeremy

As a 26-year-old, Mike Kingery hit .280 with 9 HRs and 52 RBIs in 120 games as the Mariners' centerfielder. He walked 27 times and struck out 43 times, and got a whoppin' 38 extra-base hits, for an OBP of .329 and a slugging percentage of ... .449.

Doesn't that sound exactly like what a Jeremy Reed who couldn't consistently handle major-league pitching might do? He'll draw more walks -- we think and hope -- but otherwise that sounds like a good 10-20-percentile projection.

Kingery washed out with a grand total of 546 hits.

"It is always darkest before the dawn ... which makes it the perfect time to steal your neighbor's sports section."

by Jim Thomsen on Apr 8, 2005 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions

kingery

That's a really interesting comparison. The thing that makes me a little more hopeful about Reed is that I think he's probably a better athlete than Kingery was.

by ryanhealy on Apr 8, 2005 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions

King trivia

The big selling point on Mike Kingery in the trade that brought him to Seattle (for Danny Tartabull) was that he was a better athlete and better-suited to center field than the Mariners' crop of candidates at the time:

A. Donell Nixon (Otis' younger and MUCH faster brother)
B. Danny Tartabull
C. Ivan Calderon
D. Mickey Brantley

"It is always darkest before the dawn ... which makes it the perfect time to steal your neighbor's sports section."

by Jim Thomsen on Apr 8, 2005 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions

jeez.

Don't tell me these things.

(As Reed grounds into a double play.)

by ryanhealy on Apr 8, 2005 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Standards...

I am not sure that I understand the question. Why should the definition of a "Sele decent start" be any different than a "Santana decent start?"

Anything less than 5ip 2R or 6+ip 3R is uncalled for and should not be tolerated.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 6:45 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Standards...

Do you hold Kyle Lohse and Johan Santana to the same standards?

You treat the ace and the back-of-the-rotation starter differently. Given the opportunity right now to take 5 IP and 3 runs from Sele, I'd take it without thinking twice.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Standards...

I suppose I could take 5ip 3R, but I still don't think that you should treat pitchers any differently based on where they are in the rotation.

You run into all kinds of problems when you try to rationalize a players performance. You'd never hear George Stienbrenner singing the praises of his 5th starter with a 4.75 ERA.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Standards...

Fair enough.

Perhaps the question should be re-stated as, "Knowing what you know about Aaron Sele, what kind of performance would you be satisfied with?"

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Unrelated

Jaret Wright's Yankee debut: six runs in four innings.

That contract's already paying off.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 6:48 PM PDT reply actions

6 runs 4 innings?

I'd say that's about the over/under for what we can expect Sele to do. My money is on 5 runs, 5 innings.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Unrelated

I don't think that anyone is shocked by that performance.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Wind Blowing In from CF

ugh, that doesn't bode well for our RH power. Nothing like making Safeco play BIGGER.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:04 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Wind Blowing In from CF

Sexson could plow through it.

And hey, anything to make Sele look better, I guess...

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Who will perform better tonight?

Chan Ho
Aaron Sele
Felix Hernandez

Discuss.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:11 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Who will perform better tonight?

Felix could give up eight runs in two innings, and I'd still have more fun watching him than I will either of tonight's starting pitchers.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Who better?

Sele is going to win the Cy Young award or My Name is David J Corcoran.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Per Mike Curto

Leone scratched from todays game.

"Reports are that he may be heading up to Seattle."

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:18 PM PDT reply actions

Really?

What purpose would he serve? Valdez replacement?

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Or Madritsch replacement...

Although I just assumed it'd be Sherrill replacing Mads...we could be going with a 5 man bench...

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Per Mike Curto

Don't say things you can't take back.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Per Mike Curto

Regardless of the news on Leone (which, I have to admit, doesn't really make much sense) tonight's Rainier game is going to be about a zillion times more interesting than the M's game.

Foppert and King Felix...Foppert struck out two in the first, Felix coming up. WOO!

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions

...God.

Go to hell, Sele.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:27 PM PDT reply actions

Dang Barn It.

This is a fine kettle of fish.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Sele's getting hammered already.

Warm up...someone...

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:38 PM PDT reply actions

I dunno...

It's either Ron Villone or Aaron Sele at this point. That's like asking me if I'd rather jump out of a plane with no parachute at 40,000 feet, or be in the airplane while it fiery spirals into the pacific ocean from 40K feet.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting...

At least you can enjoy the view if you jump out.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Felix's 1st

2H 1K 1R 0ER

Not exactly helped by his defense.

And Sele needs to be beaten.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:40 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Felix's 1st

Apparently Bavasi lied when he said Santiago could "pick it up and throw it".

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not jumping to conclusions or anything...

...but it really does feel like last year.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:48 PM PDT reply actions

That reminds me of a brilliant idea...

you should create a Jump to Conclusions mat. Think of the possibilities!

by Trent on Apr 8, 2005 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Good F'n God....

WTF was that Olivo??

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:51 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Good F'n God....

Patience is for losers.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Good F'n God....

Half of this team is asleep.

Seriously, what kind of thought process went into that at bat? How do you play baseball for the better part of your life and still make that mistake?

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn't The Ho...

Pitch like 6-7 SHO innings against the M's once while walking 6-7 guys?

Looks like we may see a repeat of that.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Didn't The Ho...

In the last three seasons, he has a 2.29 ERA against Seattle in 35.1 innings, with - get this - 27 walks and 28 strikeouts.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions

King Felix...

Just hit 94 on the scoreboard gun...which is three MPH slower than the Rainier scout guns.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

Little Big League...

Mike Curto just pointed out that Ramon Santiago led the ML in sacrifice bunts in 2003.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:00 PM PDT reply actions

94/97

I wonder which won is right?

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:01 PM PDT reply actions

Re: 94/97

I'd go with the Rainiers gun.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

IT'S CHAN HO FRIGGIN' PARK.

G-O-D.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:05 PM PDT reply actions

1 Hit in 3 innings

This is unacceptable. The Ho just throws belt high 88mph fastballs and the M's are clueless against them.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:06 PM PDT reply actions

THIS IS EMBARRASSING.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ANYMORE.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions

On the plus side...

That was a good inning for Sele.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:13 PM PDT reply actions

This game is over....

##%$#%#$%#$%$#%#$%%$%#%$#%#$%#$%

Die Beltre and Sexson.

And choke yourself Mike Young.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:17 PM PDT reply actions

This is getting insane.

Struggling like this against The Ho is pretty ridiculous. Someone swinging at the first pitch (I am looking at you, Sexson) is retarded.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:17 PM PDT reply actions

Walking Rod Barajas...

should be an immediate ejection.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:22 PM PDT reply actions

On four pitches...

No less.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:23 PM PDT reply actions

I will say this...

Little Valdez is pretty fun to watch play defense. How did he make that throw?

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:25 PM PDT reply actions

Re: I will say this...

More importantly, you notice how he didn't give it to Boone for a candyass relay throw?

That's smart baseball.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Valdez

I go and say his defense sucks and he goes and fields these great plays...Thanks a lot, Wilson...

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:28 PM PDT up reply actions

First pitch swinging.

First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging. First pitch swinging.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:28 PM PDT reply actions

Good Job Winn

No one can hit him, but he can hit you!!

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:30 PM PDT reply actions

Curto.

Says Leone is on his way to Seattle.

WOOHOO!

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:31 PM PDT reply actions

Curto again!

"Chan Ho Park hasn't gotten a non-Mariner out in four years."

AWESOME!

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:32 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Curto

That was pretty funny.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

YES!

RALLY TIME! Miguel!

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:33 PM PDT reply actions

Valdez.

Two on.

Important AB.

Good lord.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:34 PM PDT reply actions

Santiago in Tacoma

in the same situation right now. Eerie or what?

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions

And they both fail

Santiago K's, Valdez force (thank god it wasn't a DP)

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:36 PM PDT up reply actions

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

THANK GOD.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:34 PM PDT reply actions

I-chi-ro...I-chi-ro....I-chi-ro

I'll gladly take a single.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:36 PM PDT reply actions

Injury Delay!?

What's going on!?

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:36 PM PDT reply actions

Finally...

Thank you, Ichiro.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:38 PM PDT reply actions

HALLELUJAH!!!

ICHIRO IS KING!!!

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:38 PM PDT reply actions

A run!

Remember those??

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:39 PM PDT reply actions

Ichiro is my god

I bow to greatness.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:39 PM PDT reply actions

Pick move at 3rd

Ho is getting nervous... he's getting wild... He's imploding!

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:41 PM PDT reply actions

Steal dumb idea...

That was too risky...

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:42 PM PDT reply actions

JEREMY REED OWNS MY SOUL

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:44 PM PDT reply actions

REED REED!!

Way to pick up that first hit!

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:44 PM PDT reply actions

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!!!!

BOOOOOO YAH!!!!!!!

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:44 PM PDT reply actions

YEEEEEEEEEEESSS!!!

PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:44 PM PDT reply actions

Finally Reed

about damn time

by Trent on Apr 8, 2005 8:44 PM PDT reply actions

Finally, Trent.

About time you show up.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Heh

I'm working on my LA enterance. I'll arrive late and leave early.

by Trent on Apr 8, 2005 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Beltre....

Twice he's hacked at ball 4s. That's not good.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:47 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Beltre....

He's struck out on that pitch four times in three games.

It's a problem.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Sele

seems to be losing it. Is anyone warming up? I don't have TV or radio.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:51 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Sele

Haven't heard any mention of bullpen action.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2005 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Beltre

Does anyone else notice how he does twinkle toes whenever he doesn't swing at a pitch (he doesn't do it everytime but does it a lot)

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 8, 2005 8:52 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Beltre

He does it when it's tough for him to lay off...

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Besides the fact that he has 0 K's

how has Sele looked thus far. He seems to be throwing a respectable game.

by Trent on Apr 8, 2005 8:52 PM PDT reply actions

Sele

Rocky first inning, but his control has been decent overall. Too many fly balls for comfort though. He resembles Ryan Franklin on a good day right now.

by Corco on Apr 8, 2005 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Re: Sele

No...not yet.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:52 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Sele

Mateo is now up.

by Devin on Apr 8, 2005 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Ichiro showing off the range...

No other RF in the game gets to that one.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:55 PM PDT reply actions

Boone

That dick is easily the most overrated defensive player in MLB.

by Cy Meche on Apr 8, 2005 8:56 PM PDT reply actions

Re: Boone

his drop off been in the fast lane since last season. He will never be that player he was in 2000-02, but he will still be one of the better 2B in the AL (all things considered).

Besides, we need him to play as well as he can. We need to get some quality for him in June.

by Trent on Apr 8, 2005 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions