Lookout Landing

I hope Wak chokes on a penis.

kentroyals5 - April 30, 2010 reply

Wak didn't make Kotchman pop-up or League give up 2 singles on weak grounders.

I didn’t like hitting Sweeney for Wilson, but Sweeney is still the one hitting and should be able to get a run home in that situation. I’m okay Byrnes bunting cause I doubt Byrnes can even catch up to a Francisco fastball. The lineups could be constructed better, but in the end I think that’s pretty small and will probably be fixed soon.

I’m not saying Wak is perfect, but for people to put the whole game on him is just not fair.

The problem I had with Wak was the fact that

He PH’d for Wilson when it makes very little sense to, considering Wilson is the faster runner, and Ichiro is up next. And even if they didn’t score with Wilson up there, at least you don’t lose the defense at SS.

The second problem I had was with having Guti bunt..I get the reasoning, and the fact that he’s in a slump, but the likelihood of him hitting a long fly ball and advancing Ichiro via a sac fly + the possibility of getting a hit far outweighed what the bunt would have gained, in my opinion.

The rest was fine, as far as I’m concerned

I'm with you on the Sweeney/Wilson thing, I would of let Wilson bat there.

However Wilson is still a pretty awful hitter and is probably worse than Sweeney, so while I don’t like the move cause of the things you mentioned I don’t think its indefensible either.

It seems like some of the things Wak has done are just annoying, but I don’t think they’re actually costing the M’s games.

Pinch hitting penalty applies

Again, there’s also very little point swinging in that situation. Ichiro was on deck

Graham MacAree - April 30, 2010 reply

Even with the pinch-hitting penalty, isn't Sweeney still a slightly better hitter?

Overall, yes.

Situationally? Doubtful

Graham MacAree - April 30, 2010 reply

Ok, thanks.

And I do agree that letting Wilson bat and just not swing is probably the right call there.

I don't think so, not with coming off cold

Also, Ichiro. It just doesn’t make sense to me..besides the whole “belief system” thing, which is quickly making me angry because it seems like an excuse for poor management.

Wak might be the reason one of those weak grounders turned into a throwing error though

That is true, Wilson probably doesn't throw the ball away in that situation.

I certainly didn’t agree with all of Wak’s moves but people (maybe its GTE) are putting way to much blame on him for the loss.

It's also an aggregate thing I imagine. Lots of these little things over time

I wouldn't call that a weak ground ball.

It was a high chopper off the plate. The fact that Tui made a really good play just to get to it quickly was impressive, the throw was of course the opposite of impressive. But it was not an easy play and even with Wilson it may have been a single minus a 1-base error.

appleshampoo - May 1, 2010 reply

That was a bit trying

Kermit. - April 30, 2010 reply

Howsabout a picture of little Compass Roses stampeding themselves off a cliff, like lemmings?

msb - April 30, 2010 reply

That Sweeney at-bat was the worst play of the season by far.

Even if he watched every pitch go by and struck out, at least Ichiro, a much more competent hitter would have got a shot. But first swing chopper? Oh man it was like we all saw it coming but couldn’t do anything to stop it. I hope he trips on a bag of balls

blueside714 - April 30, 2010 reply

I don't see any reason not to put Wilson up there and tell him to take until the ump makes him move

Graham MacAree - April 30, 2010 reply

Also Wilson is less likely to GIDP than Sweeney anyways

Ichrio against a submarining righty no less

Cantu Easley Winn - April 30, 2010 reply

Byrnes and Sweeney

both contributing exaclty -33.3% is so fitting.

Cliff Lee is wonderful and I'm glad we have him for a while.

With that said, there’s not a single game this season that highlights our roster/line-up problems more than this one.

We’re entering the month of May. When we come out of the month, our roster better be equipped to handle these situations more efficiently or we’re toast.

ThundaPC - April 30, 2010 reply

I couldn't agree more. You can't win if you can't score at leaat one run.

Jack, back to the drawing board. We need to be able to score at least one $$#! run. There is no way way we can win without that.

Inadvertant sacrasm font!

appleshampoo - May 1, 2010 reply

I'm just sick to my stomach.

I have never been so unexcited for a Felix start the next day. All of my optimism has just been drained out of me, and it feels like there’s no chance it’s coming back tomorrow. What an awful game. And I’m so sorry our offense did that to you, Cliff. Please forgive us.

drblacknwhite - April 30, 2010 reply

Nothing like an utterly feeble line-up to ruin a spectacular pitching effort.

Omerta - April 30, 2010 reply

I still think PH'ing Sweeney for Wilson is a rather terrible choice by Wakamatsu

I agree

but seriously, right decision or not, Mike Sweeney could not have fucked that up any more than he did. You’ve just watched them IBB Adam Moore with the sole intention of setting up the double play and you swing at the first pitch? Fuck you Mike. Not to mention the fact that Ichiro was coming up next.

Eyeball Kid - April 30, 2010 reply

I have not ever been more upset by a non-playoff loss.

Sweeney needs to go away. NOW.

I cannot believe we blew this one. Most absurd win expectancy chart ever.

ARock - April 30, 2010 reply

Just got back from the game.

When Sweeney came out of the dugout to pinch hit I yelled “SHIT” really loud.

lailaihei - April 30, 2010 reply

That was the right call.

How about Cliff Lee?!

thehemogoblin - April 30, 2010 reply

Hey what the fuck are you doing here?

Coach Pete Carroll “chats” with Mariners “designated hitter”
Mike Sweeney, who attended this morning’s walk-thru as a
“guest” of the team.

Seahawks.com

lemonverbena - April 30, 2010 reply

I'd like to see him in powder blue a lot more often.

Eyeball Kid - April 30, 2010 reply

I love how Sweeney's kid is ashamed to wear a jersey with his dad's name and number.

thehemogoblin - April 30, 2010 reply

Hey look! 3 people that aren't qualified to be major league DH's!

I'd take Pete Carroll at this point.

You know he’d be just as good a clubhouse guy as Sweeney and also might give Eric Byrnes a run for his money as highest energy guy.

I think Milton would love him.

Cantu Easley Winn - April 30, 2010 reply

One of these things is not like the other. . .

Perfect caption.

Ditto for being on the Mariners.

Sukafish - May 1, 2010 via mobile reply

Hah!

@ TNTmariners Eric Byrnes stormed out of the clubhouse on his bicycle riding past the assembled media – I am not making this up

msb - April 30, 2010 reply

Not surprised at all. Byrnes is not my favorite M, but he's up a notch on quite a few.

I love that he stormed out.

He was probably as much pissed at himself and at the game and meltdown as anyone.

harkening - May 1, 2010 reply

He rides a bike?

Good to know.

Goose - May 1, 2010 reply

If we lose tomorrow I'm going to kill myself.

Kaorikaze - April 30, 2010 reply

Then you'll miss us making the playoffs.

M'sFanatic - April 30, 2010 reply

Don't do it, it's not worth it.

Plus, you’ll miss the rest of the season which I promise will be much better and then there is the playoffs and the World Series. You don’t want to miss that. Also, if you do it, you won’t know who we pick up/lose at the trading deadline. Baseball is worth living for, so stick around. Besides, we would miss you.