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The "Hey, it's Friday night" recap: Ricky Romero appeared to be cruising before a blister began causing him control problems in the fourth inning. The Mariner hitters took advantage and Felix Hernandez did the rest.
A few assorted thoughts:
- The Mariners' season was over a week and a half ago. Remember? They had just lost a second series to the Houston Astros and had fallen to 8-15. It was miserable. It was embarrassing to be a part of to any degree. But at least the Mariners didn't have expectations to go along with it.
Now the Mariners have rebounded to a 14-17 record and we can smile after reading stuff like this found in Bluebird Banter's game recap:
Tomorrow R.A. Dickey (2-4, 4.50) tries to right the ship. He'll have to be very good because Hisashi Iwakuma (2-1, 1.67) is starting for the M's and I figure I could go 6 scoreless against the Jays right now.
I don't know what to say. I think we are getting to the point where something has to happen. Players called up. Players released? Fire a coach? Sacrifice a TV analyst? Tabler, for the good of the team.....
I really don't get it, I could understand .500. I could understand a few players having a tough start to the season. I don't understand everyone having a bad start. I mean, there is a bit of bad luck. And if Reyes wasn't injured, I'm sure we'd have a few more wins. But I don't get it. How can everyone be bad? - Guilty. Maybe it was because I was grumpy about missing out on some of the 80-something degree sunshine down here in southwest Washington, but I watched Felix Hernandez carve up the Blue Jays lineup while teetering on the edge of boredom. Felix being Felix. Yawn.
I took him for granted. I know better. We all know better. We expect greatness and he delivers greatness, making it an easy trap to fall into. I didn't quite realize what I had glossed over until ESPN Sweet Spot published a post about what a joy it is to watch Felix work. Oh. I'm an asshole.
8 scoreless innings with every out coming via strikeout or groundout. Aside from an 8th inning flurry quelled by a double play and strikeout, Jays hitters seemed happy to deliver Felix a complete game shutout.
Felix was pulled with 95 pitches after 8.
He left with this beautiful season line. - Quintessential Brendan Ryan:
Unfortunately, this, the very next play, is also very representative of Ryan:
Dave Sims on the call: "Groundball Ryan. Easier play. Whooaaaa he airmailed it!"
This is the type of thing that's going to drive manager Eric Wedge bananas.
Play 1: Oh, right. That's why you're here. "Atta boy!"
Play 2: Jaw clenched, he stews in silence for a moment before turning for the clubhouse. Suddenly, a cacophony echoes down the corridor and spills onto the field in a tidal wave of rage. All dugout chatter ceases. The veterans stare at the entryway. The rookies fix their eyes on their cleats, terrified of making unwanted contact. Wedge calmly emerges, Gatorade splashes on his pant leg, bat splinters in his goatee, blood on his knuckles. He pulls out a blank lineup card, writes "5/4/13" at the top and "B Ryan" at the bottom under the words "Extra Players." - I mostly bought in to the idea that Kyle Seager was going to be more of a utility player than a starter. After that, I mostly bought in to the idea that his 2012 season was an early peak rather than a place for him to build from. Now I'm done buying and am just going to enjoy the ride.
I think I expected David Bell. Whatever he's turning into is a little more entertaining. 3-for-4 with a home run, bumping up his season line to .304/.365/.513 (145 wRC+).