5-3

by Jeff on Apr 15, 2007 5:52 PM PDT in Regular News Comment 80 comments

This is the latest in a season the Mariners have been alone in first place since August 24th, 2003. This being the middle of April, it hardly means anything by itself, but you always gotta start somewhere.

Anyway, since this is also one of the busiest week(end)s I've had in a long long time, I really can't afford to sit here and write about the game for a few hours. The site's a high priority, but not as high as graduating. I'll try to get some bullet point observations posted sometime if I can, but I can't make any promises.

Biggest Contribution: Jose Vidro, +27.7%
Biggest Suckfest: Willie Ballgame, -9.8%
Most Important At Bat: Vidro homer #2, +15.8%
Most Important Pitch: Sosa single, -16.3%
Total Contribution by Pitcher(s): +3.2%
Total Contribution by Position Players: +25.5%
Total Contribution by Matt Kata: +22.5% (for us)

(What is this?)

Off-day tomorrow, home against Minnesota on Tuesday. In the meantime, You Write The Recap!

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Great Game

But I try not to get to excited because everytime I do I get bitch slapped with reality

Shop smart......Shop s-mart...... YOU GOT THAT!!!!

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 15, 2007 6:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wilson valdez

1 inch away from a homer,lol.

by MFAN on Apr 15, 2007 6:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So Ian Kinsler

Is he for real, or is he following in the great tradition established by Roberts in 2005 and Lopez in 2006 of second basemen that go nuts for a couple of months to start the season only to do their best Bloomquist impression for the rest of it?

by Mere Tantalisers on Apr 15, 2007 6:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: So Ian Kinsler

GB/FB: 0.47
HR/FB%: 40%

Unless you think he's going to continue being one of the most extreme flyball hitters in the league (leader last year: Frank Thomas, 0.41), and the strongest (leader last year: Ryan Howard, 39.5%), it's an April fluke.

by Jeff on Apr 15, 2007 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who do you think will be better for the whole year

Kinsler or Dan Uggla? This has absolutely nothing to do with my fantasy team. Really. It doesn't.

by Slozbury Stouvre on Apr 15, 2007 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd probably stick with Kinsler.

The difference in ballpark environment is just too huge to ignore.

by Jeff on Apr 15, 2007 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kaz Matsui

I'm not even kidding.

by Gomez on Apr 15, 2007 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch.

that's pretty raw.

Not that I confusing him with Soriano or anything, but I'd have been impressed with texas for bringing up a 25HR second baseman all on their own.
Kaz Matsui... Well, I guess he'd be a star in Japan!

by Mere Tantalisers on Apr 16, 2007 5:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kinsler.

I know, I know. But I had him on my fantasy team last year, I have him on it this year, and he didn't disappoint either time. If you're really paranoid you can platoon him home/away, but I don't see any real point in it.

Marinerds - a different daily dose of baseblog.

by Deanna on Apr 16, 2007 1:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had no idea

It was going to be Jackie Robinson FUNK BLAST Day today.

by ThundaPC on Apr 15, 2007 6:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I love how 'Funk Blast'

has become so ubiquitous, it's now referred to simply as 'FB' on the game charts.

by Slozbury Stouvre on Apr 15, 2007 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Observations.

I love MLB.tv. I wasn't able to watch the game when it was on. So it's cool to be able to go back and pick the innings I want to see. But seriously, people at MLB, I am going to puke if I see that stupid ass Right Guard commercial one more time.
Every damn thing you do, you have to watch that commercial first. I will never buy Right Guard again.

I loved that they were working McCarthy's ass off early and often. For a team that I always expect to roll over and play dead with yawn inspiring 4 pitch at bats, it was fun to see them actually show some ahem grit.

Kenji is absolutely on fire. It's great to have a catcher that isn't impotent with the bat. Still one of the best acquisitions of the Bavasi era.

Beltre can f-ing crush a baseball. I'd like to see him do that about 30 more times this year.

It's fun when the M's win.

by anotherjeff on Apr 15, 2007 7:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

n/s

"I am going to puke if I see that stupid ass Right Guard commercial one more time.
Every damn thing you do, you have to watch that commercial first. I will never buy Right Guard again."

It is so damn annoying, that commercial is so stupid and I have grown to hate that guy..and the damn deer...."WE'RE GOOD!...GET EXTREME..GET RIGHT GUARD!!"

by MFAN on Apr 15, 2007 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAHA SO True

MLBAM needs to learn to put things on rotation, then they won't get so annoying. Rotate 10 commercials, or 10 different in between inning things. Not the same shit over and over again.

by phil333 on Apr 15, 2007 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

I keep hoping someone hacks in and the deer kills the guy, blood spattering over the lady.

Then maybe the deer can check out the guys pits.

Memories Only 'R Us

by Paytheline on Apr 15, 2007 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do love the double entrende with

yeah lets go pitch a tent

by Matthew on Apr 15, 2007 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fun Kenji note:

.714 slugging percentage, 0 home runs. For a man with his speed, that's pretty amazing.

by Slozbury Stouvre on Apr 15, 2007 7:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and fun Willie note:

.167 OPS!

by Slozbury Stouvre on Apr 15, 2007 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish

Hargrove would skip Weaver and throw Felix on Tuesday. Why don't we take advantage of all these freaking off days and cancellations while we can? Weaver can pitch when he passes a drug test or when we have to play 3 games in 2 days later on.

by Zack on Apr 15, 2007 7:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's still just 21 and the future of our franchise

Let's not overwork him too much.

by phil333 on Apr 15, 2007 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks to the snowouts

Felix technically skipped a start. So even though he pitched 8+ innings in both his starts, he's behind what his pace would have been.

"I had never seen a baseball shoved up an entire city's ass until yesterday. That was fun, Felix"

by Robert on Apr 15, 2007 8:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll probably make that up though

by phil333 on Apr 15, 2007 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Same here

especially since I'm going to Tuesday's game.

by The Beer Baron on Apr 16, 2007 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

holy crap

the dodgers ball guy just got drilled in the face by a foul ball.

by MFAN on Apr 15, 2007 7:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL Ichiro

From the AP post-game recap:

Ichiro's 26th career four-hit day including a one-out bunt single in the fourth that started Seattle's second four-run inning. Ichiro snapped an 0-for-13 slump on Saturday, then raised his average from .192 to .290 just on Sunday.

The reason?

"Yesterday, I had two ice creams. Usually I only eat one," Ichiro said.

by Gomez on Apr 15, 2007 8:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hee hee

Not the usual "zen" comment from Ichiro, but I can't argue with the scientific support of Ice Cream Slumpbusters<sup>TM</sup&gt.

DQ Something Different!<sup>TM</sup>

If you can fight, fight. If you can't fight, defend. If you can't defend, flee. If you can't flee, surrender. If you can't surrender, die. - Sima Yi

by TIF on Apr 15, 2007 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ichiro!

by robrun2 on Apr 15, 2007 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gold!

by Garces on Apr 16, 2007 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't Ichiro have a hit on Saturday?

I swear I remember him getting one right after the HBP

Hot potato is an entirely different game when you're starving

by Mariner John on Apr 16, 2007 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Vidro allegedly sat with Jeff Pentland this morning, watched a bunch of tape and made some adjustments to his swing before the game.

Two bombs and 3-5 on the day. Can't say it hurt him too much.

by Gomez on Apr 15, 2007 8:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember Jeff Cirillo did this like 12 times

he'd have a good day at the plate, then attribute it to some coach or minor adjustment, then go get 2 hits in his next 50 million at bats and blame Lou Piniella.

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 15, 2007 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good ole Jeff Cirillo

Sucked for us but his OBP was very nice the past couple of years.

by phil333 on Apr 15, 2007 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching the first 6 innings that I missed now.

That Ichiro at bat in the 2nd was crazy.

Also, has anybody noticed we've scored as more runs as Anahiem in 4 less games? We've also scored as many as Oakland in 5 less games.

No sir, I don't like it. ~Mr.Horse

by Goose on Apr 15, 2007 9:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Our non-Felix pitchers

Have given up 41 runs in 6 games though.

by Graham on Apr 16, 2007 12:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but our non Weaver pitchers have allowed

34 runs in 8 games.

No sir, I don't like it. ~Mr.Horse

by Goose on Apr 16, 2007 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Our non-Mariner pitchers

still haven't allowed a run this year!

by Gomez on Apr 16, 2007 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

too bad

comparing those numbers in the other column really exposes how bad the backend of our rotation is

by armedpp on Apr 15, 2007 10:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

For some stupid reason

I keep thinking Weaver will turn out ok. He was ok once, long long ago.

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 16, 2007 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

when

in AAA?

by armedpp on Apr 16, 2007 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2000 and 2001

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 16, 2007 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

02, 04 and 05 were adequate as well

Hot potato is an entirely different game when you're starving

by Mariner John on Apr 16, 2007 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

We gave up 14 and dropped 14. that ain't going to happen often.

by Dylan on Apr 15, 2007 10:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Small sample size theatre presents:

Weird power numbers:

Beltre-.500 slg, .267 ISOP
Sexson-.538 slg, .346 ISOP(!!!!)
Johjima:.714 slg(!), .238 ISOP

No sir, I don't like it. ~Mr.Horse

by Goose on Apr 15, 2007 11:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We're in first place, so yeah know what that means

Bandwagon fans start showing up, at least for the moment anyways.

I've seen 6 people walk into the casino tonight with Mariner jersey's or shirts. 5 have Hernandez on the back. The 6th of course had Ichiro.

Normally I'd be lucky to see one in a week's time.

No sir, I don't like it. ~Mr.Horse

by Goose on Apr 16, 2007 12:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw an Ichiro home jersey

In Borders the other day. That surprised me.

by Graham on Apr 16, 2007 12:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So

If I got a Felix jersey does it make me a bandwagoner?

Haha, I KNOW! I'll get a 59 one.

or a Yuni-Uni.

by PShwa on Apr 16, 2007 6:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I'd got a Felix 59 jersey

But I am more than content with the Doyle one.

by Graham on Apr 16, 2007 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about getting a #3

with "Turbo" on the back

Shop smart......Shop s-mart...... YOU GOT THAT!!!!

by Scruffy Lefty on Apr 16, 2007 6:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm seriously considering

A 'Funk Blast' jersey.

by Garces on Apr 16, 2007 7:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha

If I lived in Seattle and at least 10% of the people knew what the fuck it meant, I would do it.

but I live in NJ, and as it is people are like "King-who?"

e-bay has some sweet deals on felix 59s if you wanna go there.

by PShwa on Apr 16, 2007 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

I got 'why are you wearing pajamas?' when I wore my jersey the other day. Stupid Brits.

by Graham on Apr 16, 2007 8:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What number would be on a funk blast jersey?

I would guess four, for the number of bases you pass.

by Slozbury Stouvre on Apr 16, 2007 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I propose #264

To hearken back to the '97 Mariners that set the record for Funk Blasts in a season.

Good times. Good times.

by tworsandtwols on Apr 16, 2007 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

QUICK WHATS IS THE ZIP CODE OF FUNKYTOWN!?

cause thats what Id get, haha.

by PShwa on Apr 16, 2007 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

FUNK BLAST 69

by Gomez on Apr 16, 2007 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would guess 44

Both for Richie and for the reasons you mention.

Marinerds - a different daily dose of baseblog.

by Deanna on Apr 16, 2007 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agre, its really the only one that makes sense

he's the original funker in our minds.

by PShwa on Apr 16, 2007 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My ex-girlfriend lost my Felix 59 shirt

There's one obvious reason that relationship didn't work out. One among many.

We'll Always Have the Kingdome:

by BrettJMiller on Apr 16, 2007 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But none more important

"I had never seen a baseball shoved up an entire city's ass until yesterday. That was fun, Felix"

by Robert on Apr 16, 2007 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Question

Which of Kata's misplays did you count against him? He made about 6 that I can remember.

by Graham on Apr 16, 2007 2:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

All of them.

by Jeff on Apr 16, 2007 5:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ortiz vs. Weaver

on Tuesday may be the greatest ERA disparity in team history. Nearly 30 runs.

by Rollo Tomasi on Apr 16, 2007 3:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We might actually have a shot in that game.

No sir, I don't like it. ~Mr.Horse

by Goose on Apr 16, 2007 4:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The game is going to be tied

3-3.

by ThundaPC on Apr 16, 2007 7:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I predict 17-14

Weaver will throw two 4th quarter TDs and Putz will nail the 52 yd field goal at the wire.

by Gomez on Apr 16, 2007 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Naa, we will bench Weaver by the 4th

Sherill will come in and throw the two fourth quarter TD's only to tweak his knee on the second to last play of the game. We'll bring in Mateo and while his only play will be to hand the ball off to setup Putz, will get the credit for the 4th quarter comeback.

"I had never seen a baseball shoved up an entire city's ass until yesterday. That was fun, Felix"

by Robert on Apr 16, 2007 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mateo would throw an INT on a QB keeper

He's that bad. He is the Latino Craig Whelihan.

by Gomez on Apr 16, 2007 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holy crap Craig Whelihan!

THAT takes me back.

by Jeff on Apr 16, 2007 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, man, that guy.

He always had the worst deer-in-the-headlights look when he was on the field.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on Apr 16, 2007 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody threw a better 30 yd interception

by Gomez on Apr 16, 2007 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In better news

Boston is kicking the hell out of the Angels right now, and Vlad left the game after getting beaned in the hand.

by Garces on Apr 16, 2007 9:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Was he picking his nose?

Memories Only 'R Us

by Paytheline on Apr 16, 2007 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Observation

HoRam is throwing harder and better than Weaver. This isn't good.

by eponymous coward on Apr 16, 2007 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ho Ram

aint that bad. While healthy, he ought to be on the better side of average. Weaver though... I sure hope dude can pull his shit together. Else we'll have to offer him to the Yanks, they'll take anyone right now.

by Mere Tantalisers on Apr 16, 2007 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think NYY has fond memories of WTE.

by Matthew on Apr 16, 2007 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And vice versa

NY had a David Clyde effect on his career.

by Gomez on Apr 16, 2007 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Career?

i think if you told Weaver right now that he has a career he's be thrilled

by Mere Tantalisers on Apr 16, 2007 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say HoRam...

is maybe a 4-5 on a good team. Basically, a slightly better version of John Halama from 1999-2001.

Weaver needs to be better than that for 8 million+.

by eponymous coward on Apr 16, 2007 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Weaver is the truly awful one

HoRam should be about average.

by phil333 on Apr 16, 2007 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Holy crap, this game got greenlit on Fark.

Anything involving the Mariners NEVER gets greenlit on Fark. Everything is Yankees and Red Sox. All the time.

The only thing close in a long long time was the King's last outing. But of course, that's just because it was against the Red Sox. Hell the headline didn't even mention Felix:

"Daisuke Matsuzaka debuts in Fenway, and a complete game one-hit shutout is thrown. Problem is, it wasn't by the megahyped $151 million man"

So needless to say I'm shocked when I run across this greenlight:

"Vidro helps Mariners score two touchdowns on Rangers"

No sir, I don't like it. ~Mr.Horse

by Goose on Apr 17, 2007 12:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs