8-3, Stuff
by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 18, 2009 12:49 AM PDT
in Seattle Mariners Game Recaps
No time for extended notes, so here's some very quick food for thought:
- Felix: 104 pitches, 69 strikes, 8 swinging strikes, 18 balls in play, 9 grounders, 69 fastballs, 12 sliders, 8 changeups, 15 curves. Nothing enchanting, but not a bad start against a pretty good lineup. What's weird is that he kept up his recent trend of throwing his change in the 88-90 range. It's beginning to look more like a two-seamer than an offspeed pitch. I'd love to know what's going on here.
- Brandon Morrow threw three pitches at 99+ and only once missed the strike zone. It looks like he's about ready to go.
- Yuni's defense cost us at least one run tonight, and he's swinging at more pitches out of the zone than ever before. He's damn lucky this team is winning. Even so, at this rate, it's only a matter of time. People notice. Important people.
- Average game length of 2:39 so far has made for a better viewing experience, even when losing. The infrequent losing has also made for a better viewing experience.
- Beltre makes fun of Griffey's running style after playing with him for less than two months, and yet Yuni continues to go unmocked. The wonders of this season never cease. By the way, regardless of the cause and significance of the team's positive attitude so far, it has unquestionably been a lot of fun to watch. Felix falling over laughing after Lopez's face plant a few years ago was one of the highlights of the season. We need more of that.
I have mentioned it a couple of times already, but these short games are going to beneficial as the season wears on.
I think the biggest thing to come out of tonight’s game was the fact we were being dominated by Verlander and that 3-0 lead looked like a mountain to climb. That was a huge comeback even though it was only a 3-run deficit.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Last year, the game would've already been over in that situation.
Fin - April 18, 2009
Is every pitcher pounding more fastballs this year?
Does that have something to do with the increased run scoring this year?
Mariner John - April 18, 2009
Might be because it's still early and guys are not feeling their offspeed pitches quite yet.
Supposedly those things take a lot longer to get the feel of, so maybe that’s got something to do with it. Plus it’s only a couple of starts for these guys.
Smegmalicious - April 18, 2009
"Beltre makes fun of Griffey's running style after playing with him for less than two months, and yet Yuni continues to go unmocked. The wonders of this season never cease."
I don’t think this is too hard to understand. My gut feeling is that guys on the team get mocked because everyone knows they’ve got a sense of humor about it and won’t get defensive. I’ll bet Yuni is probably pretty touchy about his constant fuckups.
I wish that somehow translated into him making a better effort, but eh.
esoteric - April 18, 2009
I was referring to Yuni's hilarious sprinting arms
Jeff Sullivan - April 18, 2009
Verlander takes a no-hitter into the 5th inning.
Then gives up a double and two singles on four pitches.
Never thought I’d be happy to see this team hack away. When taking pitches wasn’t working the offense made the adjustment to jump-start the offense.
…..and this post-game article confirms it. This is pretty awesome to see. Not to mention Wakamatsu clearly does his homework.
ThundaPC - April 18, 2009
Important point:
The rest of the ALW all lost yesterday. That’s awesome.
EnglishMariner - April 18, 2009
A's won :/
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
Wow.
That’s what happens when you read the scores half asleep. I went over to AN and read their game recap and I thought “wow, that must have been a really tough loss considering they are pretending that their bullpen came through and won the game for them”
EnglishMariner - April 18, 2009
I was at the game tonight and
I just had a couple of observations I wanted to share.
- It was amazing to me that the entire team decided to be patient as Verlander was throwing strikes all day long. I found myself wondering why the team wouldn’t swing at pitches for the first time in a very long time.
- Speaking of Verlander, I didn’t have anywhere to look up his average fastball speed, but as I had understood he had lost velocity, and that was a big reason for his bad pitching as of late. I know tonight he was on. I saw a few pitches at 98 and a lot of his fastballs were 94-95. Either I’m ill informed or he has got something back.
- The bullpen threw strikes tonight! Holy shit!
- I can’t help but think this year might be something special. No hit through 4, and it looked like the offense was completely lost. Beltre and Yuni both misplayed balls ( I thought Yuni’s was an error) and it was 2008 all over again. But nope, Beltre starts everything off with a double and the rest is history.
- Felix looked good other than that 2nd inning. Even then if it weren’t for the HPB, he might have done better. He didn’t give up any XBH in the inning, and other than that he looked sharp.
Zwakamatsu - April 18, 2009
Blowers had an explanation
that the Tigers wanted Verlander to throw with less velocity last year to improve his control but when that didn’t work he wasn’t able to get it up to where it was during the season.
Mariner John - April 18, 2009
Did something bad happen with the feed last night? I am trying to watch the 5th but the feed craps out during Ichiro's AB.
Also it was cool to hear the crowd chanting ICHIRO! during his AB. The crowd actually looked awake for this one.
EnglishMariner - April 18, 2009
I had that problem watching the archive too.
I skipped forward a minute or so, in time to see a replay of what happens during Ichiro’s at bat. The rest of the game is fine from there on out.
marinerdan - April 18, 2009
Yuni has more patience than you guys
After about 30 seconds it cuts back to Ichiro’s at bat.. just in time for his single.
JBell523 - April 18, 2009
I don't have patience for a product that cuts out at a critical moment.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Especially when it hasn't worked all that well to begin with and costs a pretty penny.
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
Yeah happened during the live broadcast as well
phil333 - April 18, 2009
on mlb.tv i should say
phil333 - April 18, 2009
Yep.
It was pretty annoying.
ThundaPC - April 18, 2009
You have to turn off Nexdef
Pretty sure that’s what keeps making it crap out.
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
It wasn't Nexdef that cause the problems.
During Ichiro’s AB the screen went green and then went to a commercial. Went back to normal right before Ichiro hit the single.
The feed itself was having problems last night. Hopefully it doesn’t happen too often.
ThundaPC - April 18, 2009
I thought Morrow threw 8 pitches at 99+
JI - April 18, 2009
PitchFX shows 3
Plus 6 that are over 98.
yuniform - April 18, 2009
His slowest fastball was 97
Jeff Sullivan - April 18, 2009
And he only threw one of those
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
A lot of the reason Felix got so boned was more bad luck hanging over from Thursday night
So many of these seeing-eye and infield singles the last two games. I came away watching last night’s game feeling really good about Felix – he needs to mix his pitches more, obviously, but last night wasn’t a terrible start towards changing that approach. Didn’t feel good about Yuni at all – he needs to shit or get off the pot. Thinking it’s Cedeno time sooner rather than later.
But, we managed to pull out a victory from the jaws of defeat, even with them luckboxing the hell out of the second inning. And tonight we get to watch Bedard bend the hell out of everything ever.
Feels pretty good to be a Mariners fan right now.
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
This team's neat.
Omerta - April 18, 2009
Good Mariners baseball.
May it be an oxymoron no more!
I have no doubts last year’s team would have happily grabbed their ankles and let Verlander have his way.
Big Jared - April 18, 2009
So what happens in the scenario that
Chad Cordero looks healthy and is able to join this team by the All-Star break? Tits is looking like the odd man out.
redwolf75 - April 18, 2009
Chad Cordero is not your savior.
esoteric - April 18, 2009
So you're a Nationals fan.
What about a Caps fan? They are my hockey team and now they are in a heap of trouble. Crazy game today; I can’t believe they couldn’t score.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
And i just realized the Marlins scored 3 in the top of the 9th to tie the game against the Nats.
Man, what a shitty day in Washington.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
And I won't even get to watch the M's tonight.
Here’s hoping it’s another ridiculously awesome game like last night.
esoteric - April 18, 2009
Jeremy Hermida absolutely destroyed the Nats today.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Marlins are 10-1. Damn.
Goose - April 18, 2009
Two series with the Nats will help with that a lot.
esoteric - April 18, 2009
So what you're saying is they're 5-1 versus professional baseball teams?
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
Not a savior, but I could see him being more useful than tits.
redwolf75 - April 18, 2009
Flipping Blue Jays.
Runners on 1st and 3rd, 1-out, and they can’t score to win the game against Oakland.
Going to extras.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
How is Travis Sinder batting 9th?
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
Weird, huh.
Probably one of those “want to take the pressure off him” or some cliche like that.
marc w - April 18, 2009
He's only 21, so I guess he's getting the young bat treatment.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
They better get over that because their offense sucks balls.
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
They better get over it because that's an insane reason to bat him 9th
but I don’t think they’ll be as inept as they’ve been in the past. Part of that may be Snider, but they’ll be OK if Lind continues to improve and if Overbay/Rios don’t simply suck as bad as last year.
marc w - April 18, 2009
Well sure, it's dumb no matter what
but it’s especially perplexing because of their circumstances. If they had a bunch of really solid hitters all the way through the lineup it might be slightly more understandable, but he’s hitting behind Jose Bautista and Rod Barajas for heaven’s sake.
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
I totally agree with that.
I was just disagreeing with the idea that their offense ‘sucks balls.’ Snider is part of the reason why, and batting him 9th won’t help them learn to take the balls out of their mouth. It’s not defensible. But the Jays won’t be horrible at scoring runs wherever they bat Snider.
marc w - April 18, 2009
I'm still of the opinion that it's pretty bad.
Not as bad as last year’s team certainly, but us territory bad. With their run prevention, that should be enough for them to be decent.
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
Wang gone after 1.1 IP.
7-2 Cleveland
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Trip to the DL is next probably
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
When Cleveland beats New York
They just totally dismantle and rape their dreams.
I remember the 20-0 game, the 10-1 game earlier this series was ugly, and this game is 14-2. In the second inning.
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
One day, I'll get over this, but holy crap I miss you, Asdrubal Cabrera.
marc w - April 18, 2009
I think everyone is too busy staring in awe when Yuni runs to make fun of it
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
All the encouragement to get him to take extra bases
could just be because they want a free show.
yuniform - April 18, 2009
I can't believe Morrow was hitting 100 pretty consistently yesterday
And he was actually throwing them for strikes. He’s gonna be untouchable if he can keep it under control.
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
BALLGAME OVERBAY!!!
4-2 Toronto over Oakland!!!
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Woot!
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
Another grand slam!!
Unbelievable!
13-2 Cleveland over New York
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Astrubal Cabrera Grand Slam
Of course. Oh, and Shin-Soo Choo 3-run shot too.
ThundaPC - April 18, 2009
Only missing Valbuena.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
In retrospect, that's probably going to turn out as the third-worst Mariner trade in history
Behind the Lowe/Varitek disaster, and last year’s fucksquat.
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
Jose Cruz
Mariner John - April 18, 2009
13-2 Cleveland over Yankees
Grand Slam.
Ouch.
ThundaPC - April 18, 2009
Man the ball carries out to RF.
That is the third homerun today that would be a routine flyout in any other stadium.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
I just came here to post that.
This game is ridiculous, and I love it. Already heard a few shouts of “We want Swisher!”
tootthekazoo - April 18, 2009
14!
WOW
tootthekazoo - April 18, 2009
Bhahahahhaha!
14-2 Cleveland
Sizemore goes deep.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
14-run inning.
M-M-M-M-MONSTER FAIL, Fail, fail…..
ThundaPC - April 18, 2009
Yankee fans starting to get flashblacks.
Goose - April 18, 2009
The stadium is being christened today.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
For some reason new Yankees ballpark is playing like Arlington
Graham MacAree - April 18, 2009
Wang is broken
Thank you and goodnight
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
I thought he would bend but not break?
See you tomorrow.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
MLB.com makes their own jokes
Goose - April 18, 2009
lol yanks his wang
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Too good.
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
Headline has been changed
seattlebruin - April 18, 2009
Somebodies boss was checking up on their work I see.
Goose - April 18, 2009
So I wonder what it would feel like to throw down $2600 on a seat and watch a pummeling like this?
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
I think if you had $2600 to drop on seats, you wouldn't care about spending the money
seattlebruin - April 18, 2009
Am I the only one who automatically starts rooting for any team down by 12?
Graham MacAree - April 18, 2009
I think it is karma's time for the Cleveland to lose after being up by 12 runs.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
For any team except the Red Sox I do
I learned my lesson for them the first time.
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
Can't do that for the Yankees or the Angels
But one of these days, the Indians better shit away a 12-run lead.
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
I'm rooting for Cleveland to score 30+ runs.
Goose - April 18, 2009
Well there's that too
But whenever I see scores and watch a team go down by twelve the ‘avenge 2001’ siren goes off in my brain
Graham MacAree - April 18, 2009
I want them to break the fucking scoreboard.
Pompous assholes in their new ballpark that screams ‘Hi, we’re a bunch of pompous assholes!’
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
No.
JI - April 18, 2009
Bahahaha Cleveland scored again in the fourth, and they have the bases loaded and no one out
seattlebruin - April 18, 2009
Seriously, the run-scoring environment is balls-out insane so far this season.
I have no idea what’s going on, but it’s nuts.
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
The best part is that they loaded the bases with no one out and somehow didn't score
seattlebruin - April 18, 2009
16-2 Indians
Holy shit.
bluemax - April 18, 2009
I wonder if Swisher will be pitching again
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
It's only the 5th inning.
This game will not end.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
19-2
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Weee!
Goose - April 18, 2009
20-2
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
20!
Goose - April 18, 2009
On pace for 36 runs.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
This must be a dream.
Fin - April 18, 2009
This is the greatest WE graph ever:
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
It looks like Virginia
Rollo Tomasi - April 18, 2009
This explains why New York is on the other side of the Potomac.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
He can't stop Lincecumming
Guess he’s okay.
marc w - April 18, 2009
Oh my.
Too bad the Giants offense sucks.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Yeah, but it barely counts against the craptastic Arizona offense.
Goose - April 18, 2009
And the Giants are going to lose.
Take that, Lincecum! Morrow was the right pick!
Err…
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
It still bothers me whenever I see Lincecum on some endorsement or another.
And I think, that kid should be in a Mariners uniform.
Fin - April 18, 2009
He's wearing a Mariners hat in one of the commercials.
It’s like a slam in the face.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
What which commercial is that?
Fin - April 18, 2009
I can't find it because I have no idea what the advertisement is about.
But it is a commercial with video of his dad raising him to become a pitcher. Tim is wearing a Mariners hat when he is like 10-years old. Next time I see it, I will remember who advertises it so I can find a link to it.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
It sounds kind of like a Nike commercial.
Fin - April 18, 2009
Actually, I think it only shows on MLB Network.
I just turned it on to see if that is where I have seen it. They show it quite often.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Here it is:
http://mlb.mlb.com/beyond_baseball/index.jsp
It is apart of MLB’s “This is beyond baseball” campaign.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
Man
Just imagine, he lived in Issaquah. I think he was a senior when I was a freshman. Its still frustrating how he could’ve been a nice home town story, something like Joe Mauer, but instead is drafted by the Giants because the Mariners skipped on him.
Fin - April 18, 2009
I am sure that draft day Lincecum felt rejected hard against his favorite team while growing up.
It is one thing to be passed over because they are going with a position player, but to be passed over by another pitcher who wasn’t projected to go higher on most draft boards has to add to the rejection.
We can only hope Lincecum wants to return to Seattle and is willing to hit free agency in his prime to do it.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
I certainly hope the Mariners would be willing to spend the big bucks on him
If he is still good, that is.
Fin - April 18, 2009
Really? I never heard that before.
From around here, huh?
msb - April 18, 2009
Come on now.
No need for snark around here, we know we all feel the same way.
Fin - April 18, 2009
Hahaha the Yankees broadcasters on the radio are confused
They think the DH was forefited
Corco - April 18, 2009
Comeback?
Nah.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
AND HERE COME THE YANKEES!
Goose - April 18, 2009
I find it hilarious that it didn't even make the WE graph blink.
Wilder. - April 18, 2009
the most unclutch grand slam ever
Corco - April 18, 2009
ESPN GameCast has the predicted winner as "?"
e.g. this has never happened before. This is awesome
seattlebruin - April 18, 2009
The second baseman for the White Sox just made a nice defensive play.
Think we could flip someone for him?
joof - April 18, 2009
We could trade them our second baseman plus an A prospect
seattlebruin - April 18, 2009
No we couldn't
Jose Lopez is the man!
cwel87 - April 18, 2009
I was thinking more along the lines of a left handed reliever.
joof - April 18, 2009
Washington is so bad, they can't even spell their team's name right on their uniforms.
Link
Goose - April 18, 2009
Wow
Aaron Campeau - April 18, 2009
Yikes
Corco - April 18, 2009
Maybe the guy making the jerseys has a speech impediment
OlSalty - April 18, 2009
Or I should say, maybe the large asian man shouting into the megaphone above the textile mill floor where these jerseys are stitched has a speech impediment
OlSalty - April 19, 2009
They've probably been like that all season
Nobody noticed until now because who really watches the Nationals
tootthekazoo - April 18, 2009
Amazing
Graham MacAree - April 18, 2009
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