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8/5: Open Game Thread

Tiny by Jeff on in Game Threads Comment 1090 comments

Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners


 

Lineup

Minnesota Twins @ Seattle Mariners

08/05/08 7:10 PM PDT

Minnesota Twins Seattle Mariners
Denard Span - RF Ichiro Suzuki - RF
Nick Punto - 2B Jeremy Reed - CF
Joe Mauer - C Raul Ibanez - "LF"
Justin Morneau - 1B Adrian Beltre - 3B
Jason Kubel - DH Jose Lopez - 2B
Delmon Young - LF Jeff Clement - C
Brian Buscher - 3B Wladimir Balentien - DH
Brendan Harris - SS Bryan LaHair - 1B
Carlos Gomez - CF Yuniesky Betancourt - "SS"


W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - R.A. Dickey 3-6 19 10 0 0 0 0 81.2 88 40 40 9 36 45 4.41 1.52

W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2008 - Scott Baker 7-3 17 17 0 0 0 0 102.0 94 40 40 16 21 89 3.53 1.13

Brad Wilkerson, 4/19-4/29: .421/.476/.579
Brad Wilkerson, 4/30: Cut

Greg Norton, 4/13-4/27: .438/.500/.563
Greg Norton, 4/30: Cut

Richie Sexson, 6/2-7/8: .247/.370/.330
Richie Sexson, 7/10: Cut

Jose Vidro, 7/19-8/4: .340/.354/.489
Jose Vidro, 8/5: Cut

All four of these players were cut during what could be considered - for them - stretches of pretty good performance. Presumably this is because the Mariners (correctly) didn't believe said stretches accurately reflected any sort of improvement in the players' respective skillsets. Which makes you wonder why they waited so long to make each move if they were already planning on the DFAs ahead of time. If you're planning on letting someone go, and you're not going to let him change your mind with a stretch of inflated statistics, why wait? What purpose does that serve?

Ordinarily, when the Mariners keep a struggling player in the lineup, they'll justify it by saying they're trying to get the guy going. Don't believe their lies. Each of these four players "got it going" and still wound up out of a job. The Mariners have their reasons for why they do things, but don't think for a second that they'll ever let us know what they are. All we can really do as outsiders is guess.

At least their thought processes have recently been leading to some pretty good news. God, today rocks.

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I know this wasn't true

but part of me wanted to believe that Vidro was constantly trotted out in the clean-up spot so we could ensure winning “the sweepstakes,” (see, we don’t have to mention his name).

Now we’ve gone and put ourselves in a good position to get better. This late in the season, I’m not sure how I feel about this.

by Omerta on Aug 5, 2008 6:27 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't know about Wilkerson and Norton

But with Sexson and Vidro, it’s remotely plausible that they wanted to give the veterans a chance to leave on a somewhat positive note rather than end their tenure with the Mariners in the middle of a slump.

by ubelmann on Aug 5, 2008 6:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Which might help them get picked up by another team.

I was thinking that, too. Bavasi was always the kind of guy who wanted to give a player every chance to succeed somewhere else.

by Teej on Aug 5, 2008 6:32 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm so happy over today's events and I'm looking at a small sample size,

but I’m starting to think Lee Pelekoudas might be a solid GM. I’m probably just comparing him to his predecessor and therefore anyone not named Sabean would look good, but I’m lacking my standard feeling of impending doom.

by Teej on Aug 5, 2008 6:31 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm blaming JI

for the rain delay in St Louis. 90 degrees and raining is crap.

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Aug 5, 2008 6:41 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm blaming JI if the Cards don't beat the Dodgers.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The Dodgers put out their best possible lineup

and score 0 runs. Life is cruel.

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Aug 5, 2008 7:02 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Has the crowd cheered Manny yet when he's scratching his ass?

Because they give him a standing ovation for everything else.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:03 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm not sure if that is my worst typo ever, or my best.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:08 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was without DirecTV this weekend

so I dunno. And I’m at work right now.

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Aug 5, 2008 7:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was disgusting.

At one point, they cheered him when he struck out.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe it was mock cheers

like they do for Andruw Jones when he makes contact with the ball?

Meh, okay so the LA fans suck.

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Aug 5, 2008 7:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

They did give Jones mock cheers, and there was certainly a difference.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was a good one yesterday

I’m interested to see how they intend to follow up the performance. I say 2-hit shut out.

by Omerta on Aug 5, 2008 6:44 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Genuinely annoyed before the game, that is.

I would have been annoyed after the fact had I missed last night’s game.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Aug 5, 2008 6:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh good god

I just saw the lineup…. WLAD DH AND RAUL LF WTF

by IceStormV1 on Aug 5, 2008 6:44 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Don't get your hopes up

Raul is staying in LF apparently.

by OlSalty on Aug 5, 2008 6:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yup

Apparently the Coddle Veterans At All Costs movement is still alive and well. Since Raul hates to DH and takes SOOOOOO much pride in his fielding, he’s staying in LF.

That being said, it’s not going to matter when he leaves as a FA (please please PLEASE let this happen).

by eponymous_coward on Aug 5, 2008 7:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

.

Silva is really good at wearing shirts that are hideous

J.K.L.

by acblue on Aug 5, 2008 6:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey

Why can’t I have House DVD promos on my site, rather than these lame “Lonestar” ringtones?

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 5, 2008 6:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hey

I didn’t pick it. The original suggestion was “Ranger Express”, which I vetoed because I didn’t want a Nolan Ryan connotation.

by Adam J. Morris on Aug 5, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you had that name, your ads would probably be for Panda Express.

Consider yourself lucky.

And why don’t you get to pick it? Aren’t you the site’s main honcho?

by Faux on Aug 5, 2008 7:19 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

IIRC

Jeff chose the least offensive name for this fine web log.

by Mariner John on Aug 6, 2008 12:00 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Promos are only for things people don't want

Otherwise they wouldn’t need to promote them.

by Gomez on Aug 5, 2008 7:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He was due.

That was a great at-bat to listen to.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ALERT! ALERT! NATIONALS INEXPLICABLY WINNING YET AGAIN.

Chance to advance in [Stanislavski]* Sweepstakes imminent.

From now on we’ll use this instead of Str*rg. If you can’t figure it out, then lame.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:09 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Not even close.

You forget how awesome the Nats were for the first half of 2005. At one point they swept three series in a row for a sweep of sweeps – 11 games, IIRC.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yeah I was just kidding

It would be pretty hilarious if 4 games was actually their longest winning streak.

by OlSalty on Aug 5, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You're doing what Jeff wants.

Once opinion turns against him, he’ll reveal his devious plan to make you all look like sheep.

by Faux on Aug 5, 2008 7:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I am not a LLemming

And you fuckers ruined the Rays for me. I’ve been rooting for them for years and the year they finally get good, I can’t enjoy it.

by Robert on Aug 5, 2008 7:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also, I resent that "you fuckers"

I could care less about the Rays, as long as they keep the RS and Y out of the playoffs. Watch where you point that thing.

by Faux on Aug 5, 2008 7:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sorry

When I speak, Imagine myself at a great podium where I am talking to all of LL.

by Robert on Aug 5, 2008 7:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The final solution is reserved for level 6 clowns, according to Jeff's chart.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Archive search clowns.

But be warned.

Finally, some recognition.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 5, 2008 7:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was disturbing to an unprepared mind.

And thanks for the search tip. Last time I did a google search and got a squirrel on a motorcycle. Never enough squirrels on motorcycles. And a apparently they like water skiing.

by dpseadv on Aug 5, 2008 7:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's not necessarily safer to use the LL search.

But sometimes Robert will find it for you, if he’s in an archivist mood.

Finally, some recognition.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 5, 2008 7:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I fucking hate the way this site converts "*"s into bold font.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He could play 1b

for Loney :(

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Aug 5, 2008 7:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I kinda doubt it

If he could play a position maybe someone would, but since he can’t I don’t see how he helps any team.

by OlSalty on Aug 5, 2008 7:16 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The only question to ask is: does any team currently have a worse option at DH?

And the answer OF COURSE NOT FOR FUCK’S SAKE WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS WOULD BE PUTTING SOMEONE LIKE JOSE VIDRO AT DH????

sigh...other than us, I guess.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Neither can I.

But I figure someone might think they can use him as a switch-hitting pinch-hitter or something.

by Teej on Aug 5, 2008 7:20 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I love the promotions.

If the Mariners turn a triple-play, some kid gets a vacation or something. Way to get kids all pumped over something that has a 0.0000001% chance of happening. Pricks.

by Teej on Aug 5, 2008 7:13 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe. I wasn't listening too closely.

Whatever it is, it should be worth about $4 million to get any reasonable person excited about the prospect, given those odds.

by Teej on Aug 5, 2008 7:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was an ugly swing.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:17 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice work RA

Finally, some recognition.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 5, 2008 7:18 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I'm calling it right now: the Sox are not catching the Rays.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:19 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:21 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, Reed.

Finally, some recognition.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 5, 2008 7:22 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Nice one, Reed.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:23 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Mark Grace will never get a job with the Pirates.

Because holy crap he is ROASTING them right now. Wow.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:24 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Paraphrasing

“I don’t know what the goals of the Pirates have been Darron. If they’re goals were to produce bad bad teams, and to be in last place every single year, then they succeeded. You see these guys Darron(pointing out a group of Pirates fans in the crowd)? You see these guys? They don’t deserve this. They don’t deserve the crap product that they’ve had to endure. The bad teams, the bad draft picks, the bad trades, the bad signings. They don’t deserve it. What are those guys thinking? I mean, come on. It’s a great city to play in Darron, and a beautiful ballpark. But it’s been some bad bad teams in Pittsburgh. Those fans don’t deserve that. I hope it gets better.”

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is indescribably awesome.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Also: there are some Pirates fans out there who hold to a conspiracy theory belief that the Pirates have INTENTIONALLY tried to lose for the last decade

Because it’s cheaper and easier (what with revenue sharing) than having to put a competitive team on the field and run the risk of raising expectations.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:30 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But KC at least has some promising young pieces in Greinke, Soria, Butler, Gordon, Bannister, etc.

The Pirates don’t have shit. And they play in the NL, in a historically weak division (though it’s strong this year). No excuse.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Very true. I feel for the fans.

Huntington and Co. are very promising, though.

by Teej on Aug 5, 2008 7:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Doumit has been a beast

Though that probably has a lot to do with the .358 babip.

by OlSalty on Aug 5, 2008 7:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh my god, you people need to quit bitching about that Superbowl.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

From me or just in general?

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

From you.

I remember you going on rants about it in the past…

by Slica on Aug 5, 2008 7:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Robert would be proud.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was actually referring him remember rants I have done in the past.

I remember it too, but it was like 2 years ago, I didn’t expect anybody else to remember.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:51 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I used to think I had grown tired of bitching about the super bowl

but than I watched a replay of it last week and broke my bluetooth.

by Robert on Aug 5, 2008 7:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Tell me more.

I root for the two worst teams in baseball, non-ironically.

by esoteric on Aug 5, 2008 7:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Oh Adrian.

Why do you love that slider low and away so much?

by BrianL on Aug 5, 2008 7:24 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Zach Duke just did the most obvious balk ever.

Came to home like he was throwing a pitch, step towards home, and was even still looking at the plate, and yet he threw to first. Ump called it. Weird. Did he just forget you can’t do that?

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:33 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fernando Tatis hit two homers today.

Fernando Tatis was hitting .312/.358/.497 coming into that game.

Fernando Tatis.

Somebody explain this to me.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:37 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He found Jesus

or something.

The poster formerly known as Matt.

by bluemax on Aug 5, 2008 7:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yay Loafie!

Finally, some recognition.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 5, 2008 7:41 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Almost.

Finally, some recognition.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 5, 2008 7:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Holy crap, the Dbacks 3rd base coach is Tracy Morgan.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That was my first thought.

They have Lee Tingsly(the name he is going under) mic’d and when Duke balked, he “Hey! He balked!” and he sounded just like Brian Fellows.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gasp.

LaHair’s results in his first 33 at-bats aren’t sustainable!?

by BrianL on Aug 5, 2008 7:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fuck you Yuni and your crappy warning track power.

You broke my heart. But I have a new guy now. Jose Lopez treats me right, and he’s way better then you’ll ever be.

by joof on Aug 5, 2008 7:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ummmm

You do realize that attaching yourself Lopez at this point in the season is like marrying an alcoholic right before she heads off to Vegas for a weekend with the girls.

by Robert on Aug 5, 2008 7:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ZOMG!

What about Bryan LaHair!? IS HE GOING TO BE GOOD!?

by BrianL on Aug 5, 2008 7:55 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

But Shin-Shoo Choo didn't. DAMN YOU BAVASI!

:Shakes fist:

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ASDRUBAL CABRERA IS THE NEXT OMAR VIZQUEL!

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 8:01 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Little Nicky Punto

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre when I wear this jersey. They’re sticking it to me this year for whatever reason. "

.280/.324/.316

~Juan Pierre

by Goose on Aug 5, 2008 7:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Head first slide?

Dumb ass.

Finally, some recognition.

by NOLAmarinergirl on Aug 5, 2008 7:53 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

J-Lo!

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Aug 5, 2008 7:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like baseball

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by I'm NOT Corco on Aug 5, 2008 7:57 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

A classic.

"All I’ve ever done is be Juan Pierre w