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Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

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September 3, 2007 8:46 AM

Mariners vs. Yankees, Game 1

Posted by Geoff Baker

They played one of those hokey "Rocky music" montages on the scoreboard here during the last pitching change, hoping it would rally the fans and spur a new York comeback. Trouble is, it was a 7-1 game with two out and only one runner on in the eighth. They should save those things for when it means something, otherwise it's just hokey like I said. They have rules in Anaheim for when the "Rally Monkey" can be invoked.

Anyway, nobody informed the Yankee brass about too much of a "lucky" thing. Bottom line, nothing came of the "rally" effort. The fans sat there looking bored and the Yankees swung their way out of the inning. M's lead 7-1 behind the solid seven-inning, five-hitter tossed by Felix Hernandez. Seattle is about to move to within a game of the wild-card again. This was exactly the kind of day this team had been hoping for.

YANKS FANS FOLDING TENTS

Now a 6-1 game after Kenji Johjima doubles home a run in the sixth inning off Mike Mussina, making his first relief appearance since Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, the Aaron Boone home run game I mentioned earlier. Seems that Yankee fans are giving up on this one already, as seen in the Pinstripe Alley blog. On the Bronx Banter site, the outlook for the Yankees is also decidely pessimistic. Check out the comments about Joe Torre in the initial post. Sound like any managers you know of?

M'S ERUPT FOR THREE

This game has been altered very quickly by Jose Lopez getting hit by a Roger Clemens pitch with a runner on third and two out in the fourth. Lopez has been an automatic out of late, but got on base. Yuniesky Betancourt, not exactly an automatic out, then doubled to left field to score both runners for a 4-1 lead. M's third base coach Carlos Garcia aggressively waved Lopez around and this time it paid off as the runner beat the relay.

Ichiro then drove home the fifth run with a single, his 201st career hit. Make it 5-1 for Seattle heading into the bottom of the fourth. Even Mike Mussina could have pitched better than the Rocket today.

Seconds ago, the Yanks confirmed this report circulating for the past hour that first baseman Andy Phillips fractured his wrist yesterday. Phillips is to undergo surgery and is done for the season. He's out 4-6 weeks, which means he could be back if the Yanks make the playoffs and go deep. But even then, it's doubtful he'd return with any impact. He's done. Something to pay attention to as this playoff race progresses.

SEATTLE LEADS 2-1

Speaking of plays that contenders need to make, Ichiro just tagged a 2-0 pitch from Roger Clemens over the wall in right. Barely over, but it was enough to give his team a 2-1 lead in the third. That was the 200th hit of Ichiro's career, making him only the third player in MLB history to do that in seven consecutive seasons.

More importantly, it puts his team ahead. The first lead for the M's since going up 1-0 in the first inning of Friday's series opener in Toronto.

Raul Ibanez just ended the M's half of the third by hitting into another double play, a 4-6-3 job. Ibanez was actually safe at first base, but Jose Guillen was finally nabbed for interference on one of his hard slides into second base. So, Ibanez is automatically out.

DOUBLY WONDROUS

We might have just seen the double-play of the year from an M's perspective. The Yankees had two on, none out in the second when Robinson Cano chopped a ball that appeared headed up the middle. Yuniesky Betancourt dove to stop it from going into center field. He then did a backhanded shovel toss to Jose Lopez, who barehanded it for the out at second. Lopez then spun and made a high throw to first -- high because he'd barehanded the catch, after all -- that Ben Broussard did an excellent job of going up for and snaring. The umpire ruled that Broussard managed to keep his foot on the bag just as Cano arrived. So, a huge twin-killing. If that ball gets through, the Yanks have the lead and could be on to a three-run inning. As it stands, the inning ends on a long fly ball out so it's still a 1-1 tie. Those are the types of plays contending teams have to make.

M'S TIE IT UP

We're tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the second inning. Felix Hernandez failed to catch a break in the first when A-Rod's blooper sailed over the head of Yuniesky Betancourt for an RBI single. But the M's got it back in similar fashion with Jose Lopez chopping a ball into the grass to the right of Roger Clemens, who had no play on it as Raul Ibanez charged home from third with two out. Ibanez had done a nice job advancing to third on a wild pitch to put himself in position to score.

Not a terrible start for the Mariners. Clemens has been hit harder than Hernandez to this point. You get the feeling the M's could have scored -- should have scored -- more than the one run in the second, having put runners at the corners with only one out. But they were fortunate to get the run that they did.

PATIENCE A VIRTUE?

Here we are, on a hot and sunny day in the Bronx. No turning back now for the Mariners. This is where they wanted to be -- where any team wants to be come September -- playing a meaningful game at Yankee Stadium. Seattle would have preferred to contend for the AL West title but it's too late now. The M's are a legitimate wild-card contender and have to start playing like one beginning this afternoon or the whole contender thing will be short-lived.

Mariners manager John McLaren told us this has been his toughest time in all his years of baseball. Remember, that includes the Devil Rays stint.

McLaren insists he's closely monitored the clubhouse and sees no "warning signs" of a defeatist attitude setting in. He had a closed-door meeting with the players yesterday, but stressed that he is maintaining the patient approach for now. The time to start yelling, he said, is when the players stop giving an effort on the field. That hasn't happened yet, he insisted.

Ran into Jose Guillen in a stadium corridor during batting practice. He's normally pretty talkative before games, but smiled this time and said he needed to go to the clubhouse to take care of business.

"There's been too much losing,'' he said, as if to explain his departure.

One of you, maybe "Oregongal", asked me whether I'd heard that McLaren is on a short leash and that a star candidate will be brought in next year. No, I have not heard that. I'd actually heard a month ago that McLaren was going to be here for a long time and that some players had been told that. They were trying to build a system here in Seattle, and that requires consistency, not continuous managerial changes. McLaren was their guy, I was told. Could that change if this losing streak hits 12, 13 or 15 games? Possibly, I suppose. I don't think it's a stretch to suggest that McLaren will be evaluated on how well he holds this clubhouse together during times of crisis. Any sign of a mutiny could obviously cause folks to rethink any long-term plans. But it doesn't appear to be at that stage yet.

I've witnessed my share of big moments in this ballpark and can tell you that there is no atmosphere quite like it. I watched the Mariners get eliminated here back in 2001, the Bleacher Creatures chanting "Over...rated!'' at Ichiro as he stood in right field over the final innings of the ALCS clincher. Saw George Bush throw out the first pitch at the World Series that year, with all the post-9/11 nervousness going on inside the stadium and fear of an anthrax attack in the subways outside. Watched Byung-Hyun Kim serve up game-tying, two-out blasts in the ninth inning on consecutive nights during that World Series, feeling the ground shake under my feet after the second of those.

Saw Roger Clemens throw a shard of broken bat at Mike Piazza in the opener of the 2000 Subway Series with the crosstown Mets, much as he'd tried to intimidate Alex Rodriguez in Game 4 of the ALCS at Safeco Field that year. Watched Darryl Strawberry cry tears of joy as I stood on the field after Game 4 of the 1999 Fall Classic, the last time the Yankees wrapped up a title on their home turf (believe it or not).

Sat in disbelief during the 2003 ALCS as Aaron Boone went deep in extra innings of Game 7 to break Boston's heart yet again. Was back a year later, an air of fatalism and non-comprehension filling the electric air as the Red Sox completed a comeback from 0-3 down.

Those were big moments. This one is like a prelude to something bigger. But you get to write your own history in this place. The Yankees have been in the post-season every year since 1995, through three presidential terms and possibly a fourth. If the M's want that to change, to alter history, it starts right here.

If not, they become an historical footnote.

Clemens is going for the Yanks today. Felix Hernandez has to rise to the occasion. The M's have Horacio Ramirez going against Chien Mien Wang tomorrow night. You tell me how big today's game is.

The lineups:

NEW YORK (76-61)

LF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
RF Bobby Abreu
3B Alex Rodriguez
DH Hideki Matsui
C Jorge Posada
1B Jason Giambi
2B Robinson Cano
CF Melky Cabrera

RHP Roger Clemens

SEATTLE (73-62)

CF Ichiro
DH Jose Vidro
RF Jose Guillen
LF Raul Ibanez
3B Adrian Beltre
1B Ben Broussard
C Kenji Johjima
2B Jose Lopez
SS Yuniesky Betancourt

RHP Felix Hernandez

UMPIRES

HP Gerry Davis (crew chief)
1B Greg Gibson
2B Larry Vanover
3B Tony Randazzo

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Submit a comment

Posted by Cubby

9:27 AM, Sep 03, 2007

To care or not to care...

First "bob" declares that "no one cares anymore."
And then "oregongal" protests and in dramatic fashion counters with "Please don't speak for me. I care. I love the blog and I love baseball."
Not sure if that meant she still loves the M's.
From there it seems everybody felt obliged to chime in with their "I care" responses — an obligatory knee-jerk reaction, typically seen in sheep behavior.
What I find appaling is the same people who get incensed and act like they've been offended when others speak for them have no qualms about speaking for the blog owner, Geoff Baker, by ordering those who have detached themselves from further emotional commitment towards the team to "get off of the blog."

First of all, andrew, it's not your blog to be making such commands. It's owned by the Seattle Times. How do you know "bob" doesn't have a Seattle Times subscription, and thus have more right to be on this blog than you?

Second, people shouldn't be too quick to judge the motives of others, especially when you consider the frustrations they are going through in light of this 9-game losing streak. Feeling apathetic (and that's really what they meant) is certainly reasonable.

From the team's uninspiring play and their generally cavalier attitude toward the losing streak, the Mariners are the ones who have shown that they've given up and don't care about getting in the playoffs. Comments like "I don't know if it's do or die..." or "We'll turn this around" (made after every defeat since the end of the Rangers series) shows there is little motivation or incentive to start winning some games. It's more like: "I guess we'll win when we win."

I guess if you want to support a team who have lost their desire to win, that's your choice.
If you want to cheer for selfish players and managers who have given up and are playing just to collect hefty paychecks, go ahead, cheer on.
If you want to root for a team who have forgotten that they still need to "show up" and play hard for their fans, then by my guest.

It's hard enough to watch a team go down in defeat. Throwing your unconditional support for a team who is not giving 100% effort means you accept mediocrity, means you accept their excuses. We're not all suckers. We don't care for a team that doesn't even care if they win or not.

Posted by dc

9:39 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Hey Geoff,

Regarding your memories of Yankee Stadium....I personally hate the place. The fans are vile and it's not a great place to take a kid because of the barrage of profanity that's allowed to be the norm. I've been to two games there over the years and would not take my kids. They don't control the alcohol intake of the fans and the disgust that is displayed toward any visiting team is from the gutter.

Yes.....those were incredible moments in 2001....but the biggest one I recall is from the ALCS against the M's. During the series, there was a fan who was selling T-shirts that had a picture on them that was just like those stupid little decals that people put on the window of their trucks. You know...the one's where the little cartoon-like character is 'relieving' himself on something? Well...this guy was selling T-shirts that had a NY firefighter 'relieving' himself on Edgar Martinez. Fans were allowed to wear these shirts in the ballpark and the Yankee organization did nothing about it.

Keep in mind....this was just weeks after 9/11 and the outpouring of compassion from the entire country, Seattle included.

I'll be glad to see the place torn down. Not to turn this into a 'Yankee hater' blog, but it's just a huge symbol of how arrogant the Yankees and their fans are.

Okay, enough said. Back to watching the streak reach 10.

Posted by scottM

9:45 AM, Sep 03, 2007

from DC: "Is it me....or did much of this problem start when the FO started screwing with the bullpen?"

I think you're onto something here, DC. This is why the manner in which McLaren inserted, first Parrish, and much worse, White, into critical situations upset the chemistry/confidence of this young bullpen. This doesn't explain why Washburn and Weaver have sucked lately or why the M's have have left so many RISP on this road trip.

Posted by 116in01

9:48 AM, Sep 03, 2007

It's HUGE!

Posted by BGR

9:49 AM, Sep 03, 2007

"actually heard a month ago that McLaren was going to be here for a long time and that some players had been told that. They were trying to build a system here in Seattle, and that requires consistency, not continuous managerial changes. McLaren was their guy, I was told."

STAY THE COURSE!?! You mean we might be deprived of the single benefit to this losing streak?

With the fetish for veterans and with the offensive philosophy of the management in the Mariners' organization, I think that the team is capping themselves at a 90-win team on talent and a 95-win team if EVERYTHING breaks right.

But, now we know: nothing will change their minds. Everything that goes right demonstrates how great McLaren is doing (and he does have his talents) and everything that goes wrong shows just how random baseball can be.

Geoff, would you be able, some day (like in the off season when you're not writing about last night's game), to write articles that peer inside the mixed bag of talents and faults that managers (like all human beings) possess?

The great irony is that I moved away from Seattle a couple of weeks ago and bought the MLBTV service so I could continue to follow them -- the day the losing streak started.

Posted by Lance

9:57 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Well, I'll go into this series with a fresh viewpoint. I'll forget about the nine straight loses for a few hours. Let's hope the M's are as capable of playing the Yankees as the Tampa Bay Devilrays are. As you said, let the "King" show that he is, and not just some "joker".
.
But, if it doesn't work out, time to look to 2008.

Posted by BGR

9:59 AM, Sep 03, 2007

"This doesn't explain why Washburn and Weaver have sucked lately or why the M's have have left so many RISP on this road trip."

Here's the explanation:

First, RISP is random. Singles are random. The fall or don't fall in bunches. The Mariners are a singles-hitting team. They can look very good or very bad on any given day. The key is patience. Look at the long-term. Over the long-term, they're a team that is slightly above average. More than other teams, they overachieve for a while and they underachieve for a while. It's the nature of the team they put on the field.

Second, Washburn and Weaver are not good pitchers. They've been fortunate at times, but they don't show us the kind of skills that translate well into consistent success.

The Mariners assembled a team that required everything to break right for a very long time. It did for a while and now it isn't. Don't put much stock in any short term trends. You're never as bad as you look when you lose, you're never as good as you look when you win.

Posted by Mariner Optimist

10:07 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Okay, BGR please cancel MLB.TV. You're killing us.

PLLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSEEEEEEEEE Mariners for the love of all that is good in this world, you MUST beat the Yankees!!!! Even if you go on to not make the playoffs, you must do anything you can to prevent the Yankees and their bandwagon riding fans from enjoying October!

Go M's!

Posted by Nick 46

10:27 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Yankees steal 2 bases in the first...does McIdiot let Ichiro run; no...he would rather have Vidro hit into a double play.

When was the last time Queen Felix did not give up a run in the first inning...he reminds more and more of Freddie Garcia, with his moping and poor body language...I realize he is only 21, but maybe show just a little maturity...

Posted by ricofoy

10:29 AM, Sep 03, 2007

5 batters 11 pitches with a 45 yr old pitcher on the mound. WORK THE COUNT! TAKE A PITCH!

Posted by gisupply

10:35 AM, Sep 03, 2007

"McLaren insists he's closely monitored the clubhouse and sees no "warning signs" of a defeatist attitude setting in. He had a closed-door meeting with the players yesterday, but stressed that he is maintaining the patient approach for now. The time to start yelling, he said, is when the players stop giving an effort on the field. That hasn't happened yet, he insisted."

Well this gives me all the confidence that the M's will win!! NOT!! Glad that McIdiot is using the "Patient" approach, I mean after losing 9 games in a row, what is the difference of another 6? Lopez has stopped playing about 2 months ago, Sexson was never in the game all year (head), and his SP's are horrendous, but he feels that he still needs to be "Patient"!!

Now all of you McIdiot Fans that were calling me stupid, tell me something - when is he supposed to lose his "Patients"? If this isn't the dumbest thing to come out of his mouth before probably the biggest series and you still feel the need to defend him, well then I guess that you are truely happy to have a medicore $100+ million team.

Posted by Nat

10:38 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Cubby, I don't see how you can say the Mariners have a cavalier attitude toward losing as indicated by their inane responses. If you haven't already noticed, John McLaren is not the most articulate baseball man around. Raul's and others' response? They follow their leader, Big Mac. They're schooled in cliches and platitudes by this organization. I don't doubt the Mariners want to win, I just think they don't have a clue how to turn it around. That's where the stupidity of management comes in. When I watch Beltre hack away at his first AB and hit into a fly ball, was it? I just shake my head. Why, why, why??? And I love Beltre, he's been one of my favorite players this year.

Truth be told, if the Mariners don't win today it's over - anybody think HoRam or Washburn has a chance to win in game 2 or 3? Having said that, anything can happen, and I hope the Mariners can turn it around today, and actually, I believe if they can get ahead in the first few innings, they might actually have a chance...

Posted by Cubby

10:39 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Nick, you noticed that Felix body language, too? I know what you mean. It's unnerving because it looks like he doesn't care or he's not focusing on making good pitches.

And Johjima. People talk about wanting to replace Sexson and Ibanez. Personally, I wish they'd find a different catcher. I don't see why they don't find someone else. Johjima and Burke must be the most unproductive catching team in the league.

Posted by gisupply

10:44 AM, Sep 03, 2007

YUNIIIIIII saves us a run!!!

Posted by gisupply

10:49 AM, Sep 03, 2007

ICHIRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We love ICHIRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HR Baby!!

Take note line-up, work the count!!!

Posted by ricofoy

10:49 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Yuni saved Felix's hide with that play. He's pitching like crap pretty much so far - lucky to have given up one run. I wonder if he's hung over?
Way to go Ichiro!

Posted by ricofoy

10:50 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Boy, Clemens looks like he has NOTHING!
Knock his old butt out of the game!

Posted by ricofoy

10:52 AM, Sep 03, 2007

And Raul promptly swings at the 1st pitch and ends the inning. Great!

Posted by Aravind

10:54 AM, Sep 03, 2007

When do we start seeing some of the callups play in some games. Did not follow the games the past few days.

Posted by Anna11

10:56 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Right before Ichi hit that, I thought "it would be nice if Ichiro's 200th hit was a home run."

Felix needs to find the strike zone. 0-2 on Damon and then walking him? I don't want to see any more of that.

Posted by Frankie

10:58 AM, Sep 03, 2007

If you're seeing double, yes it's true.
See what the Double Play Twins can do.

Watch em throw, watch em catch,
Jose and Yuni what a match.
The Double Play, Double Play, Double Play Twins!!!

Posted by Nat

11:01 AM, Sep 03, 2007

We've all wondered what might key a Mariners win?Big surprise - Ichiro! I figured he'd come up big for a game with the Yanks. As Ichiro goes, so goes this team?

Does anyone know what the balls and strikes count on Felix is so far? How many guys has he walked so far?

Posted by ricofoy

11:05 AM, Sep 03, 2007

I think Broussard has taken half the pitches Clemens has thrown. Good job Ben!

Posted by Nat

11:06 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Anna, regarding Ichiro's 200th win, I heard Dave and Blowers saying that was a mistake, it wasn't the next hit that would give Ichiro 200. They weren't sure how many more.

Posted by ricofoy

11:07 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Terrible at bat by Johjima. TERRIBLE!

Posted by ricofoy

11:09 AM, Sep 03, 2007

YUUUUUUUUUUNI!

Posted by Nat

11:09 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Ughh...why Joh why???

Posted by ricofoy

11:11 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Felix better lock this game up now. No excuses.

Posted by Maui Mariner

11:14 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Here we go, it can turn on a dime in a NY minute!
Go M's!

Posted by David Hart

11:18 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Nice to see a 3 run inning...it's been awhile....

Hope they keep Clemens in there for at least 2 more innings

Posted by nick

11:18 AM, Sep 03, 2007

come on Geoff.. you are better than that. It's not Ichiro's 201st career hit. You've done that twice now.. 200th career hit, now 201st career hit. You should fix that.

Posted by Nat

11:18 AM, Sep 03, 2007

We all know how the Mariners seem to relax and let down after they get a few runs in a game - may they get lots of runs here and play hard til they drop - then, and only then, can they rest!

Posted by nick

11:22 AM, Sep 03, 2007

they are in new york... they won't relax.

Posted by Maui Mariner

11:24 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Send the fat lady home, it's time for some baseball, just don't let up now, let's hit the Moose HARD!

Posted by nick

11:27 AM, Sep 03, 2007

that sucks.. mussina threw one strike, and it happened to be the one that called vidro out.

Posted by Frankie

11:32 AM, Sep 03, 2007

And that called strike was not a strike. It was outside. But the Yanks always get the calls.

Posted by dc

11:36 AM, Sep 03, 2007

I say that the moment Felix gives up his next walk they should bring in Rick White.

Posted by dc

11:39 AM, Sep 03, 2007

There's the walk. Better go with the veteran presence there Johnny Mac...bring in Rick White. He's got the experience to handle this situation. Felix is too hung to be able to perform under such pressure.

Posted by dc

11:40 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Meant to say Felix is too 'young' in that last post. Not sure where the 'hung' came from

Posted by nick

11:41 AM, Sep 03, 2007

what the hell has happened to felix????

Posted by dc

11:41 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Two walks. Bring in White AND Parrish

Posted by nick

11:44 AM, Sep 03, 2007

thank god he got through it...

Posted by nick

11:45 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Geoff.. do you read this? I don't think ichiro would appreciate you saying he just got his 201st CAREER hit...

Posted by Maui Mariner

11:45 AM, Sep 03, 2007

So the baseball gods are starting to look our way and at least they are not spitting at us anymore!

Posted by Nat

11:47 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Yankees blogger at Pinstripes Alley says Mussina's previous inning was the 1st coreless inning he's seen him pitch in a month. Let's get some runs in this one!

Posted by Nat

11:49 AM, Sep 03, 2007

SCORELESS inning, 1st scoreless inning.

Posted by nick

11:49 AM, Sep 03, 2007

the m's have always been good for opposing pitcher's rehabs...

Posted by David Hart

11:49 AM, Sep 03, 2007

I can only see the game on GameDay, and I am not sure how accurate they are in calling balls and strikes, but 7 of the 8 pitches to Damon and Jeter landed in the "strike" area...they would certainly have been called strikes if Clemens had thrown them. We made it out of the inning, no thanks to the home plate umpire. Thanks for keeping your cool, Felix

Posted by Cubby

11:49 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Hernandez is sucking and it's the Yankees' fault if they don't take advantage of it. If this were the Angels, they'd be up at least 4.

Posted by nick

11:50 AM, Sep 03, 2007

lets blow it open now!!

Posted by dc

11:51 AM, Sep 03, 2007

A double play on a bunt? Are you kidding me?

Posted by nick

11:52 AM, Sep 03, 2007

did you see lopez slow up BEFORE HE GOT TO THE BASE!?!?!? what the hell has happened to him. double play on a bunt?

Posted by Cubby

11:52 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Why does Lopez insist on bunting? Nothing good has ever come out of any of his bunt attempts.

Posted by gisupply

11:53 AM, Sep 03, 2007

Yuni to save us again!!

Posted by ricofoy

11:55 AM, Sep 03, 2007

That's why I hate the sacrifice unless it's the 8th or 9th inning in a tied or one run game - particularly when you have a stiff like Mussina lobbing softballs up there. Stupid move. As Yuni just proved. Killed a huge inning.

Posted by nick

11:57 AM, Sep 03, 2007

the reason why it didn't work is because lopez is a freakin moron, not running hard all the way through first.

Posted by Cubby

12:00 PM, Sep 03, 2007

hahaha.
That's a good one, Nick!

Posted by Maui Mariner

12:04 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Take it easy folks, last time I checked they were winning and rather handily.

Posted by Frankie

12:05 PM, Sep 03, 2007

I can see Rick White coming into this game and blowing our lead.

Posted by TimsHead

12:05 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Give Yuni props for coming up huge in the field and at the plate on a pivotal game. And consider he almost got to that tough A-Rod blooper ... if he had, Felix would have a shutout despite not having his best stuff.

BTW, do you think Rick White got confiscated at the border as being dangerous? To the M's he has been.

Let's go Mariners!

Posted by ricofoy

12:06 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Even if Lopez is safe, I wouldn't call getting the lead guy out working. You gave Mussina a free out. Maybe Lopez is hung over. I bet Felix and him must have hit the Big Apple hard last night.
But Felix struggles through 6. NO WAY the M's lose this one. No Rick White and Putz in the 8th if necessary. If not then yes - fire John Mclaren.
Right after the game. By fax. Ichiro can be interim manager.

Posted by nick

12:07 PM, Sep 03, 2007

very true.. the mariners are winning. I'll take it a little easier... (even though lopez is still a moron)

Posted by ricofoy

12:19 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Felix just slammed a Jager Bomb between innings. He's got his second wind now.

Posted by Miss Beth

12:26 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Life is good when our M's are winning AND your married to a Yankee fan....LOL Poor husband has been doin other stuff while the games on...he just cant stand to see his Yankees being beat by My Mariners :)

Posted by Miss Beth

12:30 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Re Rick White....where ever he is he better stay there! Hubby just said "lets get Rick White in there"....translation....give the Yankees a chance to win...put in a pitcher that cant pitch...LMAO! :)

Posted by nick

12:30 PM, Sep 03, 2007

you're married... shouldn't it be mrs. beth

Posted by nick

12:35 PM, Sep 03, 2007

i guess even morons can hit off of mussina. Let's hope he doesn't get picked off at 2nd...

Posted by Miss Beth

12:35 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Could be Nick, but a lot of my friends and co-workers gave me that nic-name. Hubby calls me his Goddess by the way :)

So, can we hold this lead?? Sure looks that way to me :)

WOOOOOO...7-1 Mariners!!! Hubby didn't like that to much.

The Pink Ribbon hat the bought me must be working :)

Posted by gisupply

12:39 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Miss Beth,
I haven't seen you here on the blog before, but I guess that you must have some good luck, so whatever you are doing please keep doing it!!

Posted by nick

12:40 PM, Sep 03, 2007

why would you marry a yankee fan? he must make a lot of money.. huh..

Posted by Frankie

12:47 PM, Sep 03, 2007

McLaren is the only manager i know who will use up his bullpen in a 6 run game...

Posted by miss beth

12:48 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Nick, he wasn't a Yankee fan when I married him.
My last post got eaten cuz I forgot to put in my e-mail :( So to Gis supplys comment....not only am I wearin my M's Pink Ribbon hat, but also my new M's baseball earrings :)

Posted by miss beth

12:48 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:49 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:49 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by Miss Beth

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Posted by David Hart

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Felix had 114 pitches....and a lot of those "balls" were in the strike zone, he could have had 85 instead...but GREAT JOB

Posted by nick

12:50 PM, Sep 03, 2007

so he's one of the bandwagon jumpers that has no ties to new york.. but chooses them as his favorite team?

Posted by nick

12:52 PM, Sep 03, 2007

miss beth... please only press the post button once. lol

Posted by miss beth

12:52 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Site is bein buggy on my end :(

Posted by Maui Mariner

12:55 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Not the site miss beth. It just takes a long time to post so you have to be patient, kinda like the Mariner hitters are not :-)

Posted by Maui Mariner

12:58 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Well actually it is the site but not being buggy but being the way it is..............slow.
Go M's!

The baseball gods are finally smiling at us and the fat lady is quiet for another game!

Posted by Miss Beth

1:00 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Nope... kept gettin error message....1st one said no e-mail, the rest all said I put in a bad security code...which I hadn't.
Heya Maui Mariner...where on maui ya from, my mom in law has a condo in Lahina.

Posted by Miss Beth

1:03 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Here comes JJ.....3 up 3 down....break losing skid now!

Posted by nick

1:04 PM, Sep 03, 2007

i'm bowing out early.. and calling it! the M's WIN!! Oh it feels so good. It's especially good because it's against the yankees. After a 9 game losing streak.. if the M's find some way to win the wildcard.. that says a lot. have a good labor day all!

Posted by Miss Beth

1:09 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Come on JJ...you can do it!!!!

Posted by Miss Beth

1:11 PM, Sep 03, 2007

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Adam

1:13 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Good win. Felix looked ok, but he gutted out a win for us. Surprising he beat such a disciplined team like the Yanks without good control, but we'll take it.

I thought the call to sac bunt with Lopez in the sixth(?) was dumb. Sac bunts are not that effective. Let the kid swing away.

Betancourt - he could be scary good if he just gets some more plate discipline. He is still young, remember.

Hope to see AJ and Nick Green tomorrow.

Good job, M's!!!

Posted by Frankie

1:14 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Hurricane Felix hits NY a little earlier than expected!!!!

Posted by Adam

1:16 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Frankie - how does Broussard look now?

Posted by Miss Beth

1:16 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Lets hope where ever Rick White was that he stays there!

Felix didn't have his best game, but he got great run support and got the job done!

Posted by Nat

1:19 PM, Sep 03, 2007

N-I-C-E!!!! About time--

Adam, alas, that would be wishful thinking, I believe, seeing as how McLaren said the other day he is going to stick with his 'regular lineup' the rest of the way.

Posted by Maui Marineer

1:20 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Yeah miss beth, it must be triply good for you, break out of a 9 game skid, and against the Yankees, and at their house! Wooohooo, the baseball gods are good today indeed. Now let's go and run with this.
I live in Kihei, the other side..........error about the code is because it changes every time you hit the post button and you didn't retype the new code.

Posted by Adam

1:22 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Nat - I missed that. Oh well, if a nine-game losing streak doesn't tell you that your team has flaws, nothing will.

McLaren's an idiot.

Posted by David Hart

1:25 PM, Sep 03, 2007

This has been a weird year...we lose 9 in a row, and are still in the Wild Card hunt. The Yankees sweep Boston at the end of August to climb within 5, and then lose 2 of 3 to the Devil Rays. New York has given up 9, 6, 8 and now 7 runs in the last 4 games, going 1-3 in those 4. I still don't think our chances are "great" but this sure was just what the doctor ordered...let's keep it going...a win tomorrow would be huge (as well as nigh unbelievable) but we might as well win 9 in a row now...

Posted by scottM

1:25 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Tomorrow it's HoRam. He's looked good the last three games, so he'll step up tomorrow and put us in a tie for the wildcard. On Wednesday, Washburn will struggle but last for five innings. Then our younger bullpen will step up. M's up by one going into a day off before three in Detroit.

It's looking up!!

Posted by Mariner Optimist

1:27 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Ya know, I was irritated initially at the bullpen usage - why bring your best releivers into a 7-1 game and all that?

But with a few more beers in me, I'm cool with it. Those three are well rested and McLaren let Sherrill face a righty even. A day off is coming on Thursday, and might as well set a tone that the Yankees are gonna be seeing Putz for three straight.

Just what we needed from King Felix and the offense. Keep it going tomorrow, M's!!!

Posted by rich

1:29 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Our Long regional nightmare has ended, now comes the difficult task of healing........

Posted by Miss Beth

1:30 PM, Sep 03, 2007

hmmmm.....I got hit again!
maui m....thanks for your tip.
By the way i never made it to Kehei, but next time I go --- hopefully in january for my 50th b-day -- I'll make it.
i'm STILL enjoying the winning afterglow :)

Posted by Maui Mariner

1:31 PM, Sep 03, 2007

AND JJ is going to be sharp now. We didn't need him to ramp back up to hyper speed during a critical stretch with a nasty hitter up and bases loaded. Reasonable move in retrospect.

Posted by Frankie

1:32 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Broussard was looking good, but let's not forget he was hitting against Mussina!!

I don't know why everyone is saying that they don't like our chances. The Yankees have a tougher schedule this month than the M's.

The Yanks have less home games, more away games, and a higher opponent's win pct. (.491-.416)

This season is NOT over yet. We are 1 game back for crying out loud!!

HoRam hasn't been terrible lately, and a win tomorrow will really put us in great position.

Posted by David Hart

1:35 PM, Sep 03, 2007

I think we can all agree, that with a very good pitching performance by Felix, and good relief work by the bullpen, and an offense that was patient and showed up today....there is not much to quibble or complain about...let's just relish the end of the losing streak and try to "ketchup" to the Yankees tomorrow.....

Posted by Maui Mariner

1:36 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Yeah Frankie, close the window, forget about the ledge for a little bit, we are right back in this thing and they are oh so worried.
January is some great weather here, see ya then beth

Posted by Cubby

1:38 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Actually Broussard wasn't that impressive. Especially his defense. If Sexson was in there, I'm sure he'd be whacking homers like it was out of style the way Clemens and Mussina were pitching.

Posted by Frankie

1:40 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Maui Mariner--

We were never really out of it lol. 2 games back is nothing, and 1 game back is even better!!

But you are definitely right about the Yankee fans being worried. http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2007/09/a_few_notes_before_todays.html?page=3

Read these comments left by Yankees fans...they are hilarious!!!!

Posted by scottM

1:42 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Yeah, Frankie. We're in it!

I shake my head when I read people in here suggesting that this team be completely dismantled. Mostly, this team needs better starting pitching. Bavasi needs to invest in two solid starters. For next year, Broussard needs to earn, during this Wildcard race, a platoon situation with the overpaid Sexson. Same issue as last off season.

Posted by Maui Mariner

1:42 PM, Sep 03, 2007

I stand, or rather sit corrected.

Posted by oregongal

1:49 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Felix comes through. Hitters and defense come through. We beat up Clemens, albeit in a state of decay. Great day.
Tomorrow Ramirez v. Wang. Sigh.

Geoff, thanks for the response to the Churchill item. I'll be surprised if they replace Bavasi/Mac. It would only take a half-good PR department to sell this season to the average fan, and one thing the M's are good at is PR.

Posted by Miss Beth

1:54 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Franke, after reading those comments on that link...it sure would be nice for us to be able to get out our brooms after this series :)

Posted by scottM

1:55 PM, Sep 03, 2007

Oregongal, I think that if McLaren keeps this team in the Wildcard race until the last week, your observation about the M's PR staff will prevail and he will get a one year deal. If we see a freefall, he may be gone. If we make the playoffs he will get a two year deal. Get to the WS and he get a five year contract.

Posted by SandyK

4:57 PM, Sep 03, 2007

God, the idiot posters in the first few innings ..Do you guys read what you write? Amazing how stupid you sound
"Nick, you noticed that Felix body language, too? I know what you mean. It's unnerving because it looks like he doesn't care or he's not focusing on making good pitches"...yeah right... 7 stellar innings This is but one example...Maybe you guys should wait until the 6th or 7th inning to pooist, you may sound less moronic