I'd be pretty happy if the Mariners scored a touchdown today. It'd be a start if they could match a two point conversion.

Welcome to the blog. If the game goes well, we'll be nice. If not, you'll wonder why Geoff puts up with us.

Yay, Felix Day!

Yes!!!!!!

Ok I am stuck at the office...how was the K of Vlad? High heat or junk?

The King shows Maturity. Great comeback from a leadoff walk!

Felix is throwing everything tonight. Wicked slider along with the fastball.

Rauuuuuul!

And earlier Kenji had thrown Figgins out at first, but got a bad call. So two great throws from him already. Maybe it's his night to hit.

wow, loving mlb.com. you'd think for 19.99/month, they could actually SHOW you the bottom of the 1st, rather than the screen flashing "MLB action back in just a moment". jerks!

tallahassee--I've heard more complaints about it already then I heard all of last year. You'd think they would know that the start of a new season would mean, I don't know, maybe a lot of people wanting their product all at once? Good luck.

The Mariners look awesome! Disregard every negative comment I have made about them in the past, for here on out it is all positive for me! At least until they blow a game in the 9th, make errors, don't hit with men on, etc.

Friday night with Felix pitching and more empty seats then I can count....

Hopefully people are realizing it is a poorly run organization and would rather watch on TV!

Sexson - still loking for his first hit off Weaver. Why not Norton tonight? in lieu of Sexson - get another left hand batter in the lineup and one who might have a chance against Weaver.

God Sexson's defense is awful... Is there anything he doesn't suck at?

ams--Tallness?

Making Bavasi a contract genius!!

your 2008 cy young winner, ladies and gentlemen!

Outstanding SO of Bad Vlad!!!
Man this guy want's to put the fat part of the bat on the ball no matter where it is.

I can't remember what Ichiro's favorite TV show was last year, but I remember thinking he had bad taste in television. This doesn't help him any, in my book.

I love how Anderson kinda shoved Beltre when he made the tag on him....

Just thought I would point that out.

Watching Beltre is almost enough to change my allegiance to catchers. Nice DP.

This is obvious to everyone ... but we put absolutely no pressure on anyone.
Other than Raul tonight, it's just one meek out after another. This is getting really frustrating.

Gee, I guess Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul is 2 for 2!

The KIng is getting help from his friends.

And again, Rauuuuuul! Nice to give Felix another run to work with.

i am getting really sick of vidro/sexson/wilkerson/kenji. but what do we do? we've got money/time invested in these guys, and they have a history of performing, so i guess we just have to wait and see. sure is frustrating. hopefully by the end of the year, 2 of these guys will be gone and we'll have balentein and clement in there. jeez!!

Vidro and Joh can save their hits for later in the year if Raul is going to tag-team with Felix to win this one for us.

Man, Felix's fastball is lookin' good tonight. He's throwing straight HEAT. I loved the 99mph heater in the dirt to get Vlad last time up.

Time to pick up some runs.

Sticking with my theme of being negative, we can only hope Felix can go 9 innings tonight because I have no confidence our bullpen can hold a one-run lead.

The Big Dog is on a roll..........

Offense from 6-7-8 ??????

If they do not perform, it seems to me that Vidro, Sexson, Wilkerson are disposable by mid-season - dfa despite their contracts, but I think Kenji should be given some time, although he might be flip flopped with Burke until he comes around. Balentiein should have started the season with the M/s in lieu of Wilkerson who was an unnecessary signing. Again there is a lack of commitment by Mariners management to go with young players.

When is Raul IBONDSnez up again? He is our only bright note so far tonight offensively. Felix has grown a ton from last year from what I can see. I stickin with the positives for now.

Inanez for DH - good bat, slow of foot - need more defense in left - Wlad.

Interesting how Felix seemingly has his best "stuff" tonight, yet he's struggling now much more than his other two starts. Maybe it's just the superior offensive lineup he's facing tonight...

Yay, Jose!!!

Now bring him home.

At this point, how about Norton pinch hit for Sexson?

This it for sexson!

mark my words--- if Sexson screws this up right now, he's done.

What a great signing by Bavasi! Where would we be without Wilkerson!

eeehhh-oowwww-owwww-uhhh, eeeehhh--oooowww-ooowwww, eeehhhh, eehhhhuuuuu

YEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!

Finally something good for Felix.

Wilkerson comes through

So that's a clutch base hit, good for Wilkerson.

Well, Wilkerson was due I guess. And Richie continues to be patient. I'll take it, and I KNOW Felix will too.

I am loving this inning.

That's an amazing set of stats for Richie...13 full counts this season in only 11 games.

7 walks.

6 K's.

ZERO balls put in play.

Crazy.

The Big Dog is Happy with the help from his Friends!

Aybar Robs Bentancourt.

Sadly, Raul is again a step slow.

Yes & our DH is batting .132.

The King must throw extra pitches, the kids sit....... and Mac has no chance to play them.....

That's 4 straight games Raul has allowed a "double" to drop that shouldn't even be a hit.

I don't know how anyone can continue to argue it doesn't hurt the team. Just remember whatever happens from this point on (including Felix's pitch count) started with a double that should have been caught.

Also, those that argued last year's troubles were because of the hamstring injury have been proven wrong. Raul's actually gotten even slower it looks like.

112 pitches yet he was pulled with 97. This is why our manager is terrible....

oh god, anyone but OF...

Not to be negative yet, but has Mel gone out to visit a pitcher yet this year? Just a question. I agree with downinthegroove and that I want to add that I could not believe a reliever was not up when the 7th inning began.

Ah, Ichiro.

After removing Felix when throwing 97 pitches and eight innings of shutout ball against Baltimore McLaren lets him go over 110 against the Angels.

dave@ussm must simply be beside himself. What if Felix had gotten hurt!

Ibanez to DH, Vidro dfa, Wlad to left.

Can't hit lefties, eh?

Just can't??

Gee! Maybe a kid that can run should have been in for Raul.

Mac really isn't very quick is he.

'I keep forgetting about the bench Mel. Mel wake up and help me out here'

Bullpen management - closer by committee - will be crucial again tonight. Suppose McLaren wants to build up EOF's confidence tonight.

Hard to field your position any worse than that Richie.

booooooo sexson. boooooooooooo.

Does Mac know he has a bullpen and a bench or is he too busy just watching the game?

tallahassee--a very loudmouthed fan just got your comment across on TV. LOL

And if Beltre is not in the long term plans for this organization then neither is winning.

I thought this cat threw mid-90s heat???

(I had thought I read it here, never bothered to check...)

Someone tell Mel to go give Green a breather! Visit the mound!

Sexson, man the guy just makes it hard to stay positive with. When I think if any team in the league could use him at first, my answer is, umm no. But we are stuck with watching him trot out there every single game. OK, I'm a little negative now. I don't like the feel of this game at all. It's going to come down to managing again and I don't like our odds.

Mclaren's playing with fire this inning. Green's bad against lefties, plus he's losing his control.

Where's RRS??

Jeeze, 5 outs and a walk. Havin' a heart attack over here... Now climbing down off the ledge...

Insurance would be nice right here

How about a pinch runner for Richie Mac?

Somebody tell Mac he has a bench!

Thank you, PRchef. We certainly don't need to keep him in for defense.

fundamental baseball with you power hitters....Hmmm.

now is the time to pitch hit burke!!! right?????

Finally, a runner for Sexson.....

Why didn't he come in when he was on 1st?

Oregongal

I think I just saw a ghost, wait, never mind, it's just Cairo.

fundamental baseball with you power hitters....Hmmm.

So funny and so sad all at once.

Wouldn't this be the time to bring in Jimerson?

O yeah....

Nice piece of hitting there by Richie, but did I read that right??? Infield single???

BTW, downie, Felix was pulled last week because he didn't feel right. Obviously, this time he did. Shows maturity to admit it last week, and good managing to listen, both times.

Being on the M's bench is like being a kicker for a NFL team. Best seat in the house and very little use.

JOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!!!!!!

Finally!

Wow, a bench appearance!

I know I've said it before, but I love Kenji. Good for him.

I thought of a situation Mac could have pinch ran with Jimerson. Honestly, does Mac even know that he has a bench and doesn't have to let Sexson run the bases in the 8th?

There's your TD, Oregongal!

That's why you ride with who brung ya... not that they've brung us anywhere yet...

I don't buy that he didn't feel good with one inning to go. He admitted he is scared to pitch high counts after last year.

Ya run out what ya got until it doesn't work or numbers add up. He was working. 85% of Felix is better than the bullpen.

Does Cairo have naughty pics of Mac and Bavasi? honestly, why did we keep this dead weight on the team? It's a little frustrating that Cairo is still around, I won't lie.

It was great to see the middle of the order get some hits and runs tonight. But watching Yuni is just plain fun.

A base short, McLaren is at least getting the idea of pinch running for the tall guy, maybe it will even improve the defense.

Move over Burke

I have a new hero and his name rhymes with looney

MARINERS NOW HAVE 12 ERRORS --- After the back-to-back mishaps by Green and Sexson. No other AL team had more than nine entering the night.

In the spirit of keeping positive tonight (since we're winning)--we're number one!

It looks like batting second has helped Jose and Yuni is tearing it up, maybe it is best to leave this part of the order alone.

I think at some point the analysis stops and the listening begins. Not for me to decide where that point is for you, downie, but that's my thinking, anyway...

...And the two-point conversion is good!

Thanks for the laugh, Oregongal!

What's going on, anyone? Both my Gamecast and Gameday are stuck on Yuni's triple.

New pitcher?

Geoff, Bob, Someone...

What is better....Sliding into first like Raul in the 8th or running thru the bag.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

These guys need to pull their heads out. The defense has been GOD AWFUL tonight.

Merrill- Mark Lowe's got 2 out in the 9th.

Bob - I like the format of the game thread with the titles for each entry, and a ton of them there are. And you said you might not post much.

Great job! Thanks for filling in.

What an exciting game, a bit of everything!!

This has to be a record for Joh today....most pitches he has seen as a batter in a day

Question is exactly what are you listening to? Hmmmmm....

I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell ya!

Lowe is throwing bb's!

jon-(imagine this in a Ben Stein monotone) Running through is faster. There are all kinds of studies about it. I think maybe he was trying to get under a tag. At least, I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt tonight.

Even though Johjima got that base hit, he's still not out of his funk. You can see in his stance that his body is opening up before he even swings the ball. He has absolutely no power behind his swing because he's transferring his weight to the front like a golf swing.

jon - increasing one's friction is going do decrease their speed, but I don't think most baseball players have taken a physics class.

Running through the bag is faster. Ichiro made that point about his not diving for balls before the season began.

Markus, I share your Cairo frustration. Jimerson should be there for speed and OF defense. I don't think Bloomie's enough--he's your corner OF/infielder guy. Now there's no real CF guy, and Morse hasn't quite learned OF yet.

I like having Norton, though.

Thanks, Oregongal!

Wow... nice to see the BP get it done (I reloaded both GC and GD, and one of them finally worked--MLB.com's Gameday, this time).

Could it be the beginning of a trend??? (No, I will not allow myself to hope, yet, that the offense is untracked...)

"closer by committee" worked - a first for everything, good that Felix is rewarded with a win. But again, I am not sold on McLaren's game management. The pinch runner was a base late, no defensive replacement for Raul in the ninth (not to disrespect his great night at the plate. Close call with Green, but in this one, all is well that ends well.

Bloomquist dove head first into first last season and was thrown out (not the first time he's done that). Afterwards, he said he knows it's slower, but instinct takes over and he just can't help himself.

downie... HAR!

I agree. Terrible management. And boy do they miss G.S.....

Bob, I second CHEMDORK. Thanks for the care and feeding. Hope you'll come back.

downie, who are you agreeing with? Scrolled up but couldn't figure it out...

And who is GS?

Inquiring minds and all that...

This is a game we barely escaped. Green just about gave the game away with his erratic pitching and that throwing error to second. He needs to be sent down to Tacoma for R.A. Dickey. In fact, I'd like to see Dickey as a starter and move Batista to the bullpen. We need some stability down in the pen.

I can't believe McLaren lined up Vidro, Sexson, Wilkerson and Johjima in that order. Talk about a lineup of futility. The combination of their batting averages barely breaks .100. If it wasn't for Ibanez, this game would have been ugly. Good thing Raul was keyed in on Weaver. Thanks Raul, you are definitely the AL player of the week.

That was a great game blog, Bob! Good entries, and lots of 'em. Thanks!

McLaren is an idiot. He watches the game. He does not manage at all. He has never been asked to make decisions and he still does not.

The only evaluation or assessment of a game you get from him is after all is over and then he will make a decision.

I love his quote that we are such a good defensive ball team...although they lead the league in errors....

No one has mentioned this, but the Angles have some serious problems in their bullpen ... more than Seattle. I know they're missing K-Rod, but from what I saw, they're bullpen is going to get knocked around a little.
Lowe looked great tonight. If he can put a whole season together and Morrow comes back halfway decent, we're going to have a nice pen. If Rhodes can help get lefties out, and EOF puts it together or Rowland-Smith keeps it going, things are looking up.

Who did I say I agree with?

George Sherrill.

Well, I would have blogged throughout this game, but I didn't move from my couch for 9 innings and I didn't want to either (i'm superstitious like that).

But the M's won, no matter how sloppy or gut-wrenching it was. One game out right now isn't bad at all, especially with Silva and Bedard going tomorrow and Sunday.

Props to Raul tonight for an amazing night at the plate, Felix for a good outing (even though he gave up 4 runs), and Sexson/Wilkerson/Johjima for working the counts late in the game and finally breaking through.

Except for the defense, I like what I saw tonight. Ichiro had a bad day, but we all know that he's Ichiro and he will make up for it.

One down, two to go!!!

Merrill-I didn't see the comment, but GS is usually George Sherrill.

In one other point of analysis, despite Richie Sexson's walk, he remains 0 for 11 against Weaver. One wonders why he even started the game given this history and the newly called up Norton who is a switch hitter batting left handed against Weaver who seems to suffer against lefty's a bit. One wonders what McLaren is thinking, again I am not very confident with his game management despite the victory.

CHEMDORK, I don't think diving is going to increase friction. In fact, due to aerodynamics, one would guess friction would be reduced.

But the key point is that the legs stop pumping their force. This reduction in force is more than the decrease in friction due to aerodynamics. That's why it's slower. Friction has almost nothing to do with it.

ah, yeah, of course, what a goober, thanks downie and Oregongal.

Posted by downinthegroove

10:22 PM, Apr 11, 2008

I agree. Terrible management. And boy do they miss G.S.....

Downie, my question was, I couldn't figure out who you were agreeing with in this comment. But I got the general gist from your follow-up and the general thread. Thanks.

I had such a great time watching the game that I couldn't even post.
I agree with Frankie, great game all around.
It was just an exciting game, the bad and the good and especially the win.
Let's see what Silva can do tomorrow, at least this one will be on TV so my computer will be free for posts.
Hey, life is tough here on Maui for a Mariner's fan
Aaaaaloha
Go M's

Hey, that's weird. I put the end-italics HTML command after your comment, downie, not after your post title.

Merril - Not air friction. When you slide, your foot and leg "slide" along the ground, causing friction. This is why you don't slide forever and why it can sometimes also make your leg hot. So, Yes, there is a hell of a lot more friction than when you are running. Your foot on the ground running also causes friction, this is why when you run you go somewhere and don't slip, but the surface area of your foot is less than your whole leg, so you are wrong, friction increased significantly. Thanks though...

Merrill, I've tried italics in a couple of comments and only the first paragraph was affected. Maybe it's like quotation marks where you need new ones at the beginning of each paragraph.

Merril - but this is a blog about baseball. Running through is faster than sliding everytime, the only reason to slide is to prevent overrunning a base or to avoid a tag. Sliding into first is a huge pet peeve of mine.

Ah, another late night science talk. OK, early late night. It's been a while. :)

CHEMDORK, I (and you, and everyone before that) was talking about diving (note my 10:42 post and the others' before it), not sliding. And hey, your comment about "this is a baseball blog"--maybe I'm misreading that, but you were the one who brought up physics.

Personally, though, I like talking about physics. I'm usually wrong (remember slapping me down on the humidity thing last year, Oregongal?), and I get to exercise my brain and learn even if I am.

But, hey, now that I know you were talking about sliding, your earlier comment makes sense.

Oregongal, yeah, that makes sense. Thanks, I'll remember that.

Looks like it cleared the room, wasn't trying to talk science, just trying to answer jon's question. Can't help it though, love baseball becasue of the science and strategy involved in it.

Sorry, I'll try to temper it.

Just home from the game - what an exciting evening! It was disappointing that there were less than 30,000 fans at the game, however. To all the many comments above, I'd like to add something positive about Sexson. His patience in swinging at strikes and taking balls, and ultimately getting that 2-out bases loaded walk, was the turning point of the game. Last year's version of Sexson would have been waving wildly at those outside pitches and likely would have struck out - this year is refreshingly different. (Beating out a slow roller to 3rd was pretty neat as well).

Whoops, my bad, CHEMDORK, Jon was indeed talking about sliding, not diving.

Sorry!

Good job on the blog, Bob. Every once in awhile, it's better to just read the facts and stay away from the opposing philosphies.

Joh finally got the monkey off his back tonight. It's about time as he's been having trouble since last year. He doesn't seem to have the technique of other hitters.

I would have preferred Guillen in OF, but my jury's still out on Wilky.

Raul, in my mind, is quite the stud and I'm willing to deal with his speed challenges. If Mac gives him a breather now and then, he'll be fine.

Speaking of mlb.com, which package is better, the $14.99 or the $19.99 tier? Is the service worth it so far?

That's it for now....

Peace.

CHEMDORK, I agree, but then I'm a geologist geek. Merrill and I really "met" last year when we started talking about humidity in the middle of the night. I don't think Geoff will ever forget that.

GeoW, thanks for the comments. I'm not a Sexson fan, but I do appreciate his patience at the plate so far. I could not have been happier when he walked tonight. Still don't understand why Mac didn't put in a pinch runner for him when he was on first, though.

Oregongal - Agreed. If you're going to pinch run in that situation, you need to do it right away. Beyond increasing the success of the bunt, having some speed at 1st would have put some extra pressure n the pitcher/catcher.