3-2

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 7, 2006 11:10 PM PDT in Seattle Mariners Regular News

Games like Wednesday's always remind me why I'm glad to have baseball back, and why I chose to make it such a significant part of my life instead of finding something more rewarding to do with my time.

Games like tonight's remind me why I was so happy and relieved when the season ended six months ago.

What it boils down to is that I have no more desire to write about this game than you have to read about it. I'd much rather just throw this post onto the front page and forget about it, choosing to look forward to Dan Wilson Night instead of dwelling on one of the most miserable, uninteresting baseball games I can remember. So that's exactly what I'll do.

Biggest Contribution: Felix, +11.8%
Biggest Suckfest: Julio Mateo, -26.1%
Most Important Hit: Reed single, +5.4%
Most Important Pitch: Kotsay double, -16.4%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): -14.5%
Total Contribution by Hitters: -47.8%

(What is this?)

Every single batter made a negative contribution of at least 1.2%. EVERY SINGLE BATTER. On top of that, Milton Bradley essentially handed us an out and two free runs with a remarkably stupid baserunning maneuver and we still couldn't do anything. Just thinking about this game makes me want to scream.

I do feel obligated to say something about Felix before calling it quits, but a lot of what I have to talk about can be summed up by this tidy graphic, submitted by reader Aaron C, showing the location of Oakland's batted ball outs against him:

Here's the deal - Felix gave up one, maybe two legitimately well-struck balls all game long. And that's the norm. He's virtually impossible to hit. The key to beating him is letting him beat himself by missing all over the place with his fastball, and that's exactly what Oakland did tonight. Felix couldn't locate anything to save his life and the A's were perfectly happy to take whatever he gave them. Really, this was the kind of performance I thought we'd see out of him last year after getting promoted, considering his walk numbers in Tacoma, but after a half-season of total domination I've come to expect a lot more. And with that in mind, even though he only allowed the one run, tonight was a disappointment. For what it's worth, he sure was throwing the fastball a lot; given that his best pitch is undoubtedly his curveball, you have to wonder if he just couldn't get a comfortable grip on anything all game. Tough to pitch well when you don't have a good feel for the seams.

Friday was awful. Now it's time to start thinking about Saturday. Barry Zito brings his ionospheric ERA into town to face Jamie Moyer at 6:05pm PDT. Tune in early for the Dan Wilson tribute if you're a fan of really nice guys or retired backstops who remain better players than Miguel Olivo to this day.

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Comments

Oh, and

Joe Blanton is a fatass.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 7, 2006 11:19 PM PDT reply actions

Hey hey hey!

Felix ain't no model, either!

Thanks for the great wrapups, Jeff. I always look forward to playing the M's because I get to hear your take on things.

Visiting A's Fan - also see BtB

by salb918 on Apr 8, 2006 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I never said Felix is in good shape.

But let's be honest, Joe Blanton has a face only Helen Keller's daughter's mother could love.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2006 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Blanton

is the StayPuff #5 Starter

by Gomez on Apr 8, 2006 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Hence the nickname Cupcakes.

Haven't you heard of that on AN?? :]

GnGG hearts BWZ

by Cathy on Apr 8, 2006 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe and yes

Felix was throwing the change up a lot. A lot of stuff was timed in the low to mid 80's. And his fastball hung around 95-96.

And Joe Blanton is indeed decidedly large, even from 370 feet away. I think he swallowed Kirk Saarloos.

by Gomez on Apr 7, 2006 11:34 PM PDT reply actions

You gotta credit the A's

For slipping the home plate ump that c-note before the game. Well-executed strategy.

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 7, 2006 11:42 PM PDT reply actions

Oh come on

Blanton outpitched Felix

End of story.

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 7, 2006 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Blanton deserves the win

The strike zone Blanton got was ok, but Felix's was much smaller. It just bugs me that I'm seeing articles pop up about how he "struggled" tonight. He gave up only 1 run in five innings, and could have gone deeper into the game if he had been given the same strike zone as Blanton. He still would have almost certainly wound up with a hard luck loss, thanks to the complete absence of offensive support.

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 7, 2006 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Regardless

His control was BAD.He had no idea where that fastball was going.None.Gil Meche had more control of his fastball than Felix did.He had a 56/44 strike to ball ratio.That's bad.If it wasn't for that incredible curveball he would of gotten creamed.

I would definitly say he struggled.And the fact that he only gave up 2 hits and 1 run shows how miracously good he is.

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 12:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Now we're just arguing semantics

but Felix only gave up two hits, the first of which was a cheap squeaker through the infield which Beltre should have tried for. I'm bothered by tonight's dismal hitting, not Felix's 1.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 7.2 K/9

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 8, 2006 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Actually....

Felix's main problem was Johjima. Yes, you read that right, Johjima.

I got the package on Dish, so last night I was only able to get the FSN Bay Area version. However, Ray Fosse made several points about how Johjima was "catching" the ball last night. By Fosse's count, Johjima lost Felix at least 12 strikes, 12. Johjima was catching the ball, palm down as normal, however many of Felix's pitches were at the knees going down. When Johjima would catch the ball his glove would go all the way to the dirt, hence the umpire thinks it's low.

Those 12 pitches could have turned around many at-bats and/or innings.

by elsid on Apr 8, 2006 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think umpires

pay nearly as much attention to the catcher's glove as people think they do.

Felix was legitimately wild last night. Even if he had a few strikes called balls over the course of the game, he had no idea where his fastball was going.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2006 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

However...

that would have been at least 4 more K's, which would have equalled less pitches, which would have meant deeper into the game.

I honestly think it had quite a bit to do with it in last night's game. Even for Mateo, there were several.

by elsid on Apr 8, 2006 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

It's possible, I guess.

But I highly, highly doubt that a catcher's frame job has that kind of impact on an umpire's ruling. 12 strikes in five innings seems awfully excessive.

I can remember two or three borderline pitches that I thought were strikes for Felix, and that seems like a more reasonable amount to me.

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 8, 2006 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions

And

Those six walks Mateo gave up... legit walks. He seriously couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if he was tied to it. And our offense laid an egg; they could have easily picked Felix up with some runs and this would not be an issue.

by Gomez on Apr 7, 2006 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't forget Mike

He's the one who allowed Mateo to stay in and IBB Johnson ( who doesn't have a hit this season ) for Scutaor ( a .300+ batter )

by manyoso on Apr 8, 2006 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions

News to cheer us up

Matt Thornton's line today:

2.2 IP; 3 Hits; 2 ER; 4 BB's; 2 SO; 2-5 GB/FB ratio.

Matt's back!

by JLC on Apr 8, 2006 12:02 AM PDT reply actions

hahahaha

We all should have a bit of Willie Bloomquist in us. ~Mike Hargrove

by Goose on Apr 8, 2006 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions

I was suprised that there weren't many people at

the game. A lot of good seats were open but the people in the blue coats where really locking down tonight and checking tickets. So I was stuck in my left field bleacher seat next to this jackass that got kicked out after the 5th inning for calling me and this other guy a fiar weather fan.

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 8, 2006 12:14 AM PDT reply actions

Must've Been

Cranky Yankee's son or something...

Go M's! Mariners Morsels (aka Free George Sherrill).

by PositivePaul on Apr 8, 2006 1:09 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Not a good turn out at all. But then again the Mariners don't exactly scream winners to the outside world.

by Peen on Apr 8, 2006 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions

30K

Much better than the weeknights, as you'd expect, but the end sections of the view reserved seats were empty as usual. The bleachers were full for a change, though.

by Gomez on Apr 8, 2006 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

i'll 2nd that.

we got booted from a couple of 100-level sections, even as late as the 6th inning.

by jtopps on Apr 8, 2006 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I know we would've lost regardless...

but can anyone tell me why Hargrove left Mateo out there so long? I mean, the guy has 12 pitchers and one of them hadn't thrown a pitch in a game yet. Was there any reason to leave a guy that walked so many hitters and was given a gift by Bradley still in there?! It's these little decisions by Hargrove that really bother me and make me want to see what Dan Rohn is capable of. There was absolutely no reason he should'be been back in the game after that 6th inning gift. Harris was ready to go and if he did worse than Mateo, well then you know what to do when Lawton comes back. Why bother having a 12-man pitching staff if you aren't going to use it?

by basebliman on Apr 8, 2006 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

Warming up

He didn't even warm up Harris until after the 3rd walk. He thought Mateo could work out of it early, then when it became clear that he wouldn't, Harris still had to warm up, and then Mateo got a couple guys and Grover probably thought Mateo could get out #3.

That does not explain the two intentional passes. He thought the most extreme flyball pitcher could induce a groundball. Strike umpteen on Hargrove, and if this leads to a losing streak... bye bye, Grover.

by Gomez on Apr 8, 2006 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions