49-44, Very Quick Notes
by Jeff on Jul 21, 2009 11:59 PM PDT
in Game Recaps
110 comments
- And thus ends Garrett Olson's 2009 stint in the rotation. When you watch him, you don't see much velocity or command or composure or a great breaking ball or a great change. That he used to be one of Baltimore's top pitching prospects seems to say more about Baltimore's old farm system than it does about Olson, because there's nothing in there that would blow a scout away. He's just thoroughly mediocre, without a whole lot of upside. I like having him around as insurance both now and down the road, but he just isn't good, and games like this are why so many people are afraid of dealing starters. Olson'll be okay, but he's pitched himself out of his spot. Welcome back Jason Vargas, and welcome back RRS.
- Add "swing" to the list of Jack Hannahan's positive attributes that still don't add up to make much of a hitter. It's the weirdest thing. When you look at his discipline numbers and watch him swing, you'd think he'd be some sort of lefty masher with on base ability, but instead he just sucks. But boy did he look good this afternoon. How does that swing have three homers while Raul Ibanez's swing has 25?
- I don't know why anyone ever thought that unpadded outfield walls would be a good idea, and maybe today will help shed some light on the sort of hazard they really pose. Putting players in that kind of danger is unnecessary, and having the kind of range in the outfield that we do these days is only going to make us that much more uneasy.
- Franklin Gutierrez was going to make a spectacular catch looks really easy.
- Larry Stone on Olson today at Baker's blog:
Olson did not have one swinging strike, by the way.
Atta boy, Larry. - The 1-2 changeup that Rodney threw to Wladimir Balentien in the ninth was pretty much never in the strike zone. Too often fans will criticize a hitter's pitch identification without understanding how hard it really is, but that swing - that swing decision was awful. It's a shame, too, because up until then Wlad had put up a good day at the plate, and now all anyone will remember is how bad he looked with the game on the line.
- Ryan Langerhans came so close.
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Wlad's whiff on that change was the only swing I saw him take today, unfortunately for him.
It didn’t do much for my perception of him, even though I already knew he had hit a homerun.
Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997
by JLProck on Jul 22, 2009 12:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I believe he whipped two times. And they were ugly swings.
by M'sin.. on Jul 22, 2009 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Freudian Slip
Chicks dig the long ball.
by LauraBu on Jul 22, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
After he got the fastball the pitch before, I knew he was stupid enough to think he might get it again.
It seemed like he was going to swing like he was getting a fastball no matter what.
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
by BrettJMiller on Jul 22, 2009 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The result of that at-bat was a foregone conclusion
I don’t blame him for it. Rodney’s got pretty good stuff and Wlad is just not a complete enough hitter to be able to come off the bench and be able to do anything against a change like that. I don’t blame him.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't really blame him for not hitting it.
It just reinforces my opinion of him.
Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997
by JLProck on Jul 22, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Padding only makes sense.
A player should be the subject or a season ending injury doing what fans want to see. We all want to see the homerun stolen by the outfielder pulling the HR off the wall. The wall has to be padded. Ruin our birthdays, we want to see those plays. We don’t want to see of CFs hurt because of them.
by Sinking Away on Jul 22, 2009 12:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
While Langerman was so close to giving us the lead.
We have to remember how many times that Guti and Ichiro has saved DA’s ass from blowing a save, especially when it comes to balls hit on the warning track.
2009 Safeco Field Record: 5-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 9-4
by Fin on Jul 22, 2009 1:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The point on Wlad is dead on. Fuck him. That pitch bounced.
IT FUCKING BOUNCED!
The Rise of a Superstar:Justin Upton-.398wOBA, 21 years old.
by Goose on Jul 22, 2009 1:28 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I had the impression Wlad was going to swing no matter what came at him
it could ave been a pitchout and he would have swung.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That Gutz play was almost one of the greatest catches you will ever see.
It is incredibly similar to the Griffey broken wrist catch. Gutz’s ball had about half a second more hang-time, but he also seemed to cover substantially more ground. It’d be really cool to see one of LL’s Gif Masters make a side-by-side GIF of the two synched up.
by Manzanillos Cup on Jul 22, 2009 2:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Interesting enough, Guti and Griffey were the same age when they went into the wall.
Well, Guti is like nine months older, but close enough.
by Wilder. on Jul 22, 2009 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
REFUSE TO LOSE AGAIN
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Jul 22, 2009 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
EVEN WHEN WE LOSE
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was at that game sitting down the first base line and had a view straight along the wall.
When he hit and came up holding his wrist, I thought the season was over. Listening to the post-game on the way home was depressing.
by Wilder. on Jul 22, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh.
Being seven time zones away from Seattle, I´ve been doing this thing where I come to my hotel for the night, check LL, get curious about the night´s game, go to bed, and then wake up at 2am tempted to get online to see how the team did. Last night was especially tempting, but thankfully I resisted.
Olson´s start is bad enough, but even if it wasn´t as bad as it could have been, the Gutierrez situation just makes me depressed. Yeah, he´s generally okay, but there´s no reason that should have happened. Chalk this up right next to Super Bowl XL as another reason to dislike detroit (lack of capitalization there being intentional; as it stands they don´t deserve it).
by katal on Jul 22, 2009 5:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I just hope that teams start to pay attention
and realize that people don’t actually need real-time scores of every game so badly that they have to have scoreboards in the outfield walls protected by a chain-link fence, especially in this day and age with iPhones and all that stuff where people can have info at their fingertips if they want it. Take all the outfield wall scoreboards away and re-pad the walls.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Jul 22, 2009 8:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It's not like it would be that hard to find another area for an out-of-town scoreboard
by Jeff on Jul 22, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And they could plaster more ads on the OF padding
to make up for the revenue lost by relocating the OOT scoreboard to a place that is currently covered with ads.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Jul 22, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you know that will never happen, bot as long as Wrigley Field is standing
by Poochie on Jul 22, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just plant six more rows of ivy
it’s nature’s padding!
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Jul 22, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
In my experience ivy hurts more than brick
by Jeff on Jul 22, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leaves of three let it be
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Jul 22, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leaves of nine smoking time?
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I finally saw the wall hit. Ow.
I was interested to see that while Ichiro was right there, how fast Cedeno got out there too.
by msb on Jul 22, 2009 8:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Am I the only one who thought that Josh Wilson would have scored on the passed ball?
I know Branyan’s got a bad back and had just got drilled by a 98mph FB, but it seems like if he had had a better lead and was sharp about it he could have slid in there…. Oh well. We had no business winning this game and like jeff said, this was a loss that actually made me feel better about the team than some of the wins we’ve pulled off (Guti walling aside).
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 8:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought Branyan could have made it.
Still, with runners on second and third and the team trailing by two, it was probably wise to stay on third. If he makes it home, we’re still losing. If he gets thrown out, we’re fucked.
by Teej on Jul 22, 2009 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel the same way, but Poochie did make a great point.
If Branyan and Loafie both advance, a Wlad fly ball would have tied it. So there’s that to munch on as well.
by abender20 on Jul 22, 2009 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think you can take that risk unless you're SURE you'll make it
if you go and get thrown out at home, the game’s essentially over, and either way, a base hit will tie it.
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I totally agree, and that's why, from the getgo, I said
this. I was just acknowledging that the play wasn’t completely clear cut..
by abender20 on Jul 22, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely, it would have improved our odds of winning.
I just don’t think it would have been enough to justify the gamble. More risk than reward.
by Teej on Jul 22, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo
This is what I was thinking. Also, i don’t want to wade too deep into sports-psych bullshit, but having a run score on a passed ball and the tying run at third can rattle a guy. It’s a totally different situation… Maybe Rodney can’t hit hi posts after that, maybe Wlad bunts the guy in at that point… who knows.
Given how much Wak likes small ball I’m a bit surprised there was no pinch runner/squeeze bunt there.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Wlad had bunted, I would have killed someone
he was already down 0-2.
Also, you’re not pinch-running there. Who the hell is going to go run? Shelton? Lowe? I guess maybe Johnson, but you’ve got two of your three best offensive players on base, and honestly, neither is all that slow. It’s not like Kenji or Griffey was out there.
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking about that yesterday. With Sweeney up for Wilson, this team does not have a pinch runner.
While I’m sure the value of carrying someone like Luis Ugeuto isn’t all that good, there will be one or two situations where we all curse the lack of speed on the bench.
by abender20 on Jul 22, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Woodward must have better legs than Branyan
but you’re right we’ve got no speed on the bench right now.
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Terrifyingly, the best pinch-running options were probably a reliever or a catcher
our fourth and fifth outfielders are not terribly fleet afoot and our utility infielder is already starting at short.
I can’t imagine how Sweeney and Shelton both have places on this team
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course the best possible answer is to acquire a shortstop
that guy becomes the starter, (let’s call him “JJ Hardy”), and Ronny goes back to being a super-sub who can fill in at any position and pinch-run when necessary.
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoa, I was assuming Shelton was left handed. What are both of them doing on the team?
Shelton out of options screwing things up?
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's on a minor-league contract though, so options shouldn't matter
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't they have to float him on the waiver wire if they send him down now?
The Shelton/Sweeney thing was brought up during Spring Training, and I remember there was a logical reason to go with Sweeney before Shelton. I just can’t remember the specific point, I thought it was lack of options.
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We could option Shelton right to AAA, whereas trying to send Sweeney down put us at risk of losing him
by Jeff on Jul 22, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did he really only use an option year in 2006 and 2008?
That seems odd, but hey, maybe he’s still got his 3rd.
by marc w on Jul 22, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought once he signs a minor-league contract, the team can send him to/from Tacoma as they choose
or am I misinterpreting what the minor league vs major league contract differences are?
Does it only apply to Opening Day roster or such?
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We signed Quiroz/Burke to minor league contracts
and both had to pass through waivers before rejoining their MiLB teams. The key is how many options he’s got.
by marc w on Jul 22, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting
I always thought it just meant that the guy wasn’t guaranteed a 25-man roster spot
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant in ST
and I guess “option” was the wrong word.
by Jeff on Jul 22, 2009 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haven't heard that name in a while.
That’s a tough spot to pull Branyan, with only the tying run on second base. I could maybe see sending in a pinch runner for Branyan if he was on 2B.
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but it's not as if Branyan's a total slug out there
he’s not fast by any stretch, but I just don’t think you have a good enough option on the bench to justify removing your best hitter there. What if the game goes to extras?
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Branyan isn't slow, and it would be stupefying to pull the best hitter on the team in a situation
that could easily result in a tie. I’m glad he wasn’t pulled.
by abender20 on Jul 22, 2009 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially as the lead runner
I could see pinch-running for Lopez there, since his run counts, but I still just don’t think you have a good enough option on the bench to justify it.
Plus, if you pull Lopez, who’s gonna play second? Woodward?
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You've got to get the tie to go extras
And I’m on board with you guys (what are you, separated at birth or something?), I did mention the tough spot part. Whatever, if Griffey can score from 1B on a double I’m sure Branyan can score from 2B on most singles. As has been mentioned, who’s going to pinch run that is significantly better?
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, I'm getting too far into my hypothetical situation that would justify pulling Branyan
And forgot for a second that he actually wasn’t on 2B. Oops
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This subthread has taken on a meta-life of its own
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're 50% to an Abbott and Costello bit.
by abender20 on Jul 22, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just keep running with it
Eventually we’ll reach the point where Griffey pinch hitting with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th of game 7 in the World Series will be the best option. Good times.
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would save baseball in the universe though!
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, until Fransisco Rodriguez struck him out on three pitches
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But all three would clearly be out of the zone
The Aura and Legend of Griffey would force Selig to institute a mechanical strike zone, finally removing the greatest point of umpire influence in the game. Lose the battle, win the war!
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe I just said that, I'm not an advocate of the robot strike zone
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm actually against robot strike zones as well, since I believe that's one part of the game that should be subjective
part of the skill of pitching/hitting is adjusting to the umpire’s strike zone. What I’d like to see done is to change the rulebook and instead of mentioning what the zone is, it calls out a recommended strike zone and says that a strike should be defined by the umpire as “a hittable pitch” or some such.
Then you would grade umpires based on the consistencies of calling their own interpretation of the zone rather than a hard and fast strike zone.
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow man, you just nailed it. Exactly.
Personally I would have used 1500 words, but that’s just me. Dandy explanation of an unpopular point of view, I’m using it.
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ichiro's "hittable pitch" strike zone would make it pretty easy to pitch to him.
by abender20 on Jul 22, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are a couple leagues back east that play old school baseball.
And I mean really old school. I believe the main difference is one plays by the rule of the batter showing the pitcher where he wants the pitch thrown, the other doesn’t. There was a change at some point, like 1869 or something. Uniforms, the rules, the whole bit.
by Kermit. on Jul 22, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Conan filmed a segment at his old show about one of those leagues.
Hilarious stuff.
by abender20 on Jul 22, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beat me to it, that's probably my fave Conan skit
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Jul 22, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is almost as good
Conan and Mr. T go apple-picking.
Nice Guys Finish Third - My semantics are a waste of time.
by pdb on Jul 22, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't need to go back east. There are teams in Washington.
One in Vancouver, WA of all places.
Looks really, really weird.
by marc w on Jul 22, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm actually thinking that the best pinch running option might have been a reliever in that situation
I’d assume someone like Lowe would be reasonably fast
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love how we both had the same disagreement with Kermit's comment
when in fact it made total sense because we overlooked him saying that he would do it if Branyan was the trail runner…
Sorry Kermit!
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah yeah I forgot he was so far behind already
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't pinch run for Branyan because he is too good
You’d be fucked if you went into extras
by Poochie on Jul 22, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone have a good explanation for the Angels' 500 RS?
I mean… really?
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 9:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
They get on base a ton and run well
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dammit
De Gutibus non disputandum est
by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 22, 2009 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Abreu is a hitting machine again and Aybar has been slapping the ball everywhere lately.
So frustrating.
by Wilder. on Jul 22, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uhhhhhhh wait a minute
I went to the Rainiers game last night, and thus missed out on this crap. Worse, they showed the score of the game in Cheney, only with the M’s winning. I came here to read up on how we were able to win game 1 even with Olson pitching, and how the bats really came alive to score 9 runs.
Instead, we lost the game, lost ground in the division, and lost a chunk of Gutierrez’s face on an unpadded wall. This is…. this wasn’t what I expected.
Damn it.
by marc w on Jul 22, 2009 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone else notice
that the 2-2 pitch to Ordonez in the first was in the strike zone according to the pitch tracker but was called a ball. Then what happens on the next pitch? Boom! Game over. stupid ump, screwed us over
Ichiro is my uncle
by twags on Jul 22, 2009 10:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup because bases loaded one out and Garrett Olson on the hill is so much better of a situation for us
by seattlebruin on Jul 22, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Better than down 5-1, no outs
Ichiro is my uncle
by twags on Jul 22, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
When I saw that call I immediately pictured the game notes post as being titled: ROBOTS!!
by Snuffleupagus on Jul 22, 2009 10:57 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I get text alerts every inning and run scored of the game.
I got the final 9-7, and said “well shit” I then got another one a few minutes later with the subject “CORRECTION” but the score was the same. False hope.
by hcoguy on Jul 22, 2009 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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