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Had the Mariners made a trade today -- any trade -- I might have something to kick in for this here game thread. Or maybe all that needed to be said would have been said by now!
As I mentioned in yesterday's game thread, the club now has a little more versatility and should be able mix-and-match lineups to ensure no one is sitting around flicking seeds on the bench for too many games in a row. Yesterday, Dustin Ackley kept the pine company. Today, it's Justin Smoak taking a break while Michael Morse spells him at first base.
The interesting thing is that they can do all of this while not having to use Brendan Ryan at all. That's why I really thought they'd find a trade partner for him today, even if it were for a bucket of balls in return. They aren't using him and may not have much reason at to do so moving forward.
2. Nick Franklin (S) 2B
3. Kyle Seager (L) 3B
4. Kendrys Morales (S) DH
5. Raul Ibanez (L) LF
6. Michael Morse (R) 1B
7. Michael Saunders (L) RF
8. Dustin Ackley (L) CF
9. Humberto Quintero (R) C
RHP Hisashi Iwakuma
2. Shane Victorino (S) RF
3. Dustin Pedroia (R) 2B
4. David Ortiz (L) DH
5. Mike Napoli (R) 1B
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (S) C
7. Mike Carp (L) LF
8. Stephen Drew (L) SS
9. Brock Holt (L) 3B
RHP John Lackey
Pre-game trivia!
- Who is the only Mariner in history to get three extra-base hits on his birthday?
Ken Phelps on August 6, 1987 hit two doubles and a triple in a 15-4 win over the Angels. - How many times did Rob Johnson pinch run, and stay in the game as the catcher for the Mariners?
Four. - Who is the Mariners streak leader with seven consecutive games with a double?
Jim Presley from May 23-29, 1986.