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Friday, May 9th, 2008
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 02:21:56 am
 Here's the full transcript of Richie Sexson's postgame interview following last night's game in which he was ejected for charging the mound and throwing his helmet at Rangers' starter Kason Gabbard. It took Richie a while to come out for the interview. But he was very honest about the situation ... Here's the complete transcript. I understood the situation. There's a right and a wrong way to play the game. H it me below the shoulders and I'm fine with it. I was well aware of the fact that he's probably going to hit me and I go to first. But if you get up near the face that's when you start talking about careers and you start talking about family. There's a lot of stuff you can lose going up toward the head. In the past he's always just put his head down and gone to first, so this was different? I've played the game a pretty long time. I've been hit on purpose before, and it's been the right way. I go to first. You understand the game and you know how it works. Their guy hit a two-run shot, we're not particularly playing well. Felix threw and inside fastball and caught him on the elbow. You know what's going to happen. They get two quick outs and I'm the guy up third. Hit me, I'm good with it. I'll go to first and understand that. But if you get up near my face, I'm not going to deal with that. I'm 6-8, I mean what are we talking about here. This is a guy that can hit corners at will. I'm 6-8 and all of the sudden it's up that high? I'm a huge target, how hard is it to hit me in the back or the thigh? You get up around my face. It's not good.What goes through your mind in that moment? It's a rage. If that ball hits me in the face, what are we talking about here. Who knows what that could have led to. At that time you're so (expletive) off, you don't know what even exactly happens for the next five minutes. It's a rage at that point. Did the team's recent woes also help fuel his anger? I'm sure it all came to a head right there. It's no secret we haven't scored any runs for a while. It's no secret we haven't been living up to our potential. Has he ever seen a team struggle like this offensively?
Categories: General
Thursday, May 8th, 2008
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 07:20:28 pm
The Rangers made a few roster moves before the game, activating tonight's starting pitcher Kason Gabbard from the disabled list, along with infielder Travis Metcalfe. They optioned AJ Murray to Triple A Oklahoma City, while designating Ben Broussard for assignment. It's amazing how far Broussard fell in the Rangers' eyes and how fast. He was supposed to be an everyday starter for them, now he's looking for a job. Broussard was hitting just .159 with three home runs and 8 RBI and was basically replaced by Frank Catalanotto at first. GAME THOUGHTS START HERE: 9:39 --   9:05 -- all of that brouhaha and posturing won't mean as much if the Mariners don't put up a fight in this game. Sexson is going to be suspended. I wonder if because he used his helmet it will be longer, like 8 games or so. 8:33 -- Maybe there is a pulse to this MAriners team afterall 8:23 -- Ian kinsler is not happy about getting hit by Felix there. His stare down needs some work. Hey good for Felix, the guy hits a bomb off you, you don't have your best stuff, stick one inside and send a message. 8:01 -- Down 4-0, I wonder how many fans have turned the channel at this point. 7:44 -- So much of what Felix does is based on emotion and that one little confrontation with home plate umpire Chad Fairchild over the swing and the miss has clearly bothered him. He lost his focus on Kinsler and left a pitch out to be hit. 7:37 -- on the list of things I never want to have happen to me, getting hit by a Felix fastball on any part of my body is right up there. 7:19 -- Wow, that was not to good of a throw there by Raul. He doesn't have a great arm, but that wasn't a good effort there. It looked on replay like he might not have had a good grip on the ball. And Felix well on his way to another 30 pitch first inning.
Categories: Answers to your questions
• 7 comments
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 05:18:57 pm
 Well, I've been released from Don's trunk after the Mariners' awful offense proved I'm not a jinx. Don't worry Don, I won't tell them that you have the remains of Jimmy Hoffa in your trunk. I knew I wasn't a jinx. Why? This Mariners' offense is bad beyond jinxes and superstitions. Still, a big thanks to Don for covering the game, which allowed me to play some fastpitch softball last night and avoid getting more bitter and frustrated with the Mariners. Here's some linkage... * Here's Don's game story from last night. * Here's his notebook which leads with a conversation with Chuck Armstrong. * Our columnist Dave Boling calls for Junior to be brought back to Seattle. * Here's Evan Grant's game story from the Dallas Morning News. * LA Times baseball writer Bill Shalkin thinks the Mariners should go after Barry Bonds. I cannot believe how bad Vicente Padilla made the Mariners look. Basically the Mariners let a guy, who looks like a serial killer, hold them to two hits...  The lineup looks a little different for tonight's game... Ichiro CF McLaren decided to give a slumping Jeff Clement - 13 strikeouts in 23 at-bats - the night off with the Rangers starting lefty Kason Gabbard. Clement is obviously pressing a little, which is something the whole team is guilty of. But the youngster is not this bad of a hitter. I did ask McLaren that if Clement wouldn't have been slumping, would he be in the lineup normally against lefties, and McLaren said absolutely. Last season in Triple A, Clement actually hit lefties better than righties. He hit .315 (40-for-127) against lefties with 13 doubles, 10 homers and 28 RBI, and .259 (85-for-328) with 22 doubles, 10 homers and 58 RBI against righthanders last season. Obviously the sample size of at-bats differs, but I've watched Clement consistently rake lefties. One of the main reasons why is that he is willing to stay in on the ball. He doesn't bail out because his strength is really hitting the ball of the opposite field, particularly the left-center gap. When he's hitting well, Clement stays in and sprays the ball all over the field - obviously he's not doing that now. And that leads us to the decision to pinch-hit for Clement with Willie Bloomquist. The decision belonged to bench coach Jim Riggleman, who assumed the duties after McLaren was tossed out of the game. I don't care how bad Clement is hitting, I give him the chance to hit because he has a chance to hit the ball out of the park. Willie? Not so much. It would be nice to have Greg Norton on the bench still, but he's too busy getting big hits for Atlanta. * Jose Vidro is available only as a pinch-hitter tonight because of his back spasms. * Lopez said he's comfortable with DHing having done it quite a bit in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Categories: General
• 5 comments
Wednesday, May 7th, 2008
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 02:34:06 pm
10:10 -- It was Seattle's seventh loss in eight games and they fall behind Texas into last place in the American League West at 14-21. “We didn’t have much run support, but (starter Erik Bedard) threw the ball well,” manager John McLaren said. “… It’s a grind right here. We’re not swinging the bats very well, and when we do it’s right at somebody. We’ve been challenged here. I really don’t have much to tell you that I haven’t told you before: We’re just going through a real tough stretch right now.” McLaren said he was tossed in the second inning after what he described as a misunderstanding with home plate umpire Mark Wegner. The Mariners played shorthanded as Richie Sexson left before the game to tend to a family matter. He is expected to be available Thursday. McLaren also disclosed that Jose Vidro has been unavailable for the past two nights due to back spasms. “I pitched good, but it doesn’t really matter,” Bedard said. “We need a win, and that’s all that counts.” 9:45: We're headed to the ninth, still 2-0, Rangers. 9:35: The Mariners are into the Rangers' bullpen now, and no doubt they are happy to see it. Starter Vincente Padilla left having allowed two hits and no runs in seven innings with eight K's. 9:15: Arthur Rhodes takes over for Bedard in the top of the eighth. Bedard's night: seven innings, two runs, two earned runs, six hits, one walk, five strikeouts, one wild pitch, one home run allowed; 109 pitches, 72 for strikes. 9:10: Rangers, 2-0 though seven. The Mariners got their first two runners on in the bottom of the seventh, then the next three struck out. A half inning ago the fans were stretching. Now a lot of them are walking to the exits. 8:40 -- Now it's Rangers 2, Mariners 0, in Seattle's half of the sixth. By the way, before the game, we got some time with Mariners president Chuck Armstrong. There were two primary topics: the falloff in attendance (tonight's is 17,173) and the team's slow start. A couple of his comments: On manager John McLaren: On attendance: 8:20 -- Halfway through: Rangers 1, Mariners 0. 8 p.m. -- We have just received word that Texas shortstop Michael Young left the game in the first inning with an injury to his left hip flexor. 7:50 -- 0-0 after three. Texas two hits, Mariners one. No errors. 7:30 -- Manager John McLaren was just ejected from the game. Starting pitcher Erik Bedard had just walked Texas' Milton Bradley, so the guess is he was tossed for arguing balls and strikes. Well, the balls at least. 7:25 -- OK, belatedly, here's the M's lineup: (Oddly, the Rangers also have an alteration to their original starting lineup, with Ramon Vasquez sliding in for Michael Young at shortstop and second in the order. No reason yet announced.) By the way, here's manager John McLaren's explanation for moving Betancourt up from his earlier No. 9 spot in the order: “I knew he was comfortable in the ninth position, but I just wanted to try something. You can only sit pat so many times. I don’t like switching the lineup every single day, but if you see something’s not working – some guys together who just don’t look like they’re going to mesh – try something else.” 6:20 -- The Mariners just altered their previously announced starting lineup, moving Richie Sexson out -- due to what is being called a "personal family issue" -- and Miguel Cairo in. I never quite got around to posting that previous lineup, but I'll try to get the new one up soon. 2:30 p.m. -- We're opening up shop a little early today, simply stepping across the street after a Seattle Sounders even at Qwest. As we get going, it's drizzling in downtown Seattle, and the roof over Safeco is closed. A few Rangers are out hitting, running and shagging flies. A train whistle is blowing. Mariners clubhouse opens in about an hour, and I'll be back in a couple of hours with the batting order and quotes and -- less likely -- perhaps some actual clubhouse news. First pitch is at 7:10. The game is on FSN and, needless to say, plenty of good tickets remain.
Categories: Answers to your questions
• 10 comments
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 06:36:09 pm
Game thoughts tonight, Here's a link I forgot to post, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia isn't happy with his team's offense. Um Mike? How would you like managing this offense? I think you're just being a little overcritical. Another random question, but how creepy was that Ichiro look-a-like guy? It makes me wonder if we are actually interviewing him after games. GAME THOUGHTS START HERE: 9:14 --- "PUT ME IN COACH, I'M READY TO PLAY TO-DAAY!!!!!" Oh my God, it's Miguel Cairo and he's sprinting onto the field with his glove in his hand. 8:28 -- Here's Miguel Batista's line, 2 1/3 innings, 6 runs, 3 hits, 6 walks, 2 strikeouts. HE threw 85 pitches, 45 were strikes. He really threw 45 strikes? That number seems a little high. 8:20 -- the most impressive thing I'll see all night was that home run by Josh Hamilton. That thing was crushed. I'll say this when Cha Seung Baek gives up hits, they aren't little bleeders and bloops. 8:17 -- wow, I must be a curse. This is just awful. At least you guys can change the channel, which I am sure you already have done. And yes Snydro, this is where I wish the Mariners had RA Dickey as well. 8:06 -- Miguel Batista has drained the life right out of this crowd of about 10,000 people. 7:41 -- My God, can somebody throw a strike. I can safely say there is no way this game will get over in less than 3 hours. 7:34 -- Wow 44 pitches in the first inning. He ain't making it to the fifth inning. Sorry DAve8557, those days are long gone. But I will say this. I thought the atmosphere at Yankee Stadium was pretty cool. There's a lot of energy in the crowd, and they seem to know their baseball. 7:26 -- Snydro, I wasn't checking out his calves. We were watching his legs when he walked in to see if he was favoring it or limping. But it's not surprising that he's got skinny legs, I mean the guy weighs like a buck fifty. And I do remember that episode of Entourage. Besides Sophia Bush, Emmanuelle Chriqui is also a reader of Mariners Insider. Here's the lineups for tonight ... Mariners
Categories: General
• 5 comments
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 03:44:29 pm
 Well, I guess we'll find out if I am a jinx or the Texas Rangers are as bad as everybody assumed they would be this season. I'm up at Safeco watching Clement, Balentien, Johjima and Cairo take extra BP. It's Cairo's form of game action. Here's Don's game story from last night. Thank you Don. No word yet on Jarrod Washburn and the status of his calf. But if he were to miss a start, fellow lefty Ryan Feierabend is on basically the same work schedule as Washburn. The Rainiers got a late win last night. I'm sure you've probably heard about Bob Nightengale's story in today's USA TODAY about Ken Griffey Jr. eventually coming home to the Mariners. If you haven't, click here to read it. It's an interesting and somewhat expected story from all parties involved. I'm hoping to talk with Chuck Armstrong today about his comments in the story. The question remains is this: What would you give up to get junior? I mean let's face it, he's 38-years-old, he doesn't hit or field like he once did. He certainly doesn't command a top flight prospect. Another thing to remember is this, the Reds have an option for one more year for Griffey, but they would have to pay $16 million for next season. I don't see them doing that, so he would then become a free agent and most likely sign with the Mariners anyway. What would you do? Who would you be willing to give up? UPDATE 5:11 -- Also in response to Bob Nightengale's story, the Cincy Enquirer had this story. The also had this story as well. We also tried to get Chuck Armstrong to talk about it, but he has owners meetings all day. However, he did tell the media director that the conversation was relatively innocent and he wasn't trying to plant any seeds for a possible move, because that is illegal. Anyway, I re-read the Nightengale story and it's a good story, but really didn't we hear all this same stuff, last time he was here? Here's some more links... After 25 games here's what Buster Olney writes about all the team's issues, here's what he said about the Mariners issues and solutions... SEATTLE MARINERS * Ervin Santana won again yesterday to move to 6-0 along with teammate Joe Saunders, making them the first pitchers in the same rotation to start 6-0 since John Burkett and some guy named Pedro Martinez. UPDATE: "There isn't a lot of muscle there, but just enough to pull," he said. "If I shaved them, they'd look pretty good."
Categories: General
• 8 comments
Monday, May 5th, 2008
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 09:30:44 pm
The result snaps a five-game losing streak for the Mariners. Jared Washburn left the game with calf stiffness. Manager John McLaren said he doesn't expect it to cost Washburn a start, and Washburn said he hopes that's right. Washburn, by the way, said he tweaked the calf before the game and pitched six shutout innings with it. Then he hurt it worse on the final pitch of the sixth, and "like an idiot" tried to pitch through it in the seventh, when the Rangers got their only runs. Closer J.J. Putz pitched the ninth, giving up a couple of hits -- and was one ball from brining the tying run to the plate -- but survived. The third-place Mariners move a game ahead of the Rangers in the A.L. West standings. A few quotes from the clubhouse: McLaren on Washburn: McLaren on Texas starter Kevin Millwood:We made Millwood throw some pitches tonight. We didn’t let him off the hook. We had some things going and we kept it going, which is what we’re striving to do. Washburn on the run support: Postgame notes from Mariners PR office:
Categories: Answers to your questions
• 6 comments
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 08:54:09 pm
Jarrod Washburn gave up three straight hits to start the seventh inning, and then left the game with rightness in his right calf. He went six innings, allowing three runs, three earned runs, four hits no walks, three strike outss, one hit batter. Sean Green came in with a 7-2 lead, a Ranger on second, and no outs. The Mariners got out of the inning with a 7-3 lead. Attendance, btw, is 16,637.
Categories: Answers to your questions
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 08:21:27 pm
The Rangers have opened the fourth inning wit righty Josh Rupe on the mound. Starter Kevin Millwood heads to the showers to contemplate a very ugly pitching line: three innings, seven runs, seven earned runs, nine hits, one walk, two strike outs, two home runs allowed, 76 pitches thrown, 52 strikes. Millwood came into the game with a 2-2 record and 3.86 ERA.
Categories: Answers to your questions
• 3 comments
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 08:10:08 pm
Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn has a one-hitter through three. He retired the first eight Rangers. Seattle has has been right on Texas starter Kevin Millwood, scorings in each inning: 2, 1, 4. The fourth run came on a 414-foot, no-doubt-about-it Richie Sexson shot to straightaway center. It was his seventh of the season. Runs five, six and seven came on a 399-footer from Wladimir Balentien into the Rangers bullpen ... which is busy. It's a cool night. Whispy clouds. Small crowd. The roof is open.
Categories: Answers to your questions
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 05:16:10 pm
Manager John McLaren on the state of his team: We’re not panicking by any means, but there is an urgency. There’s a point that we’ve got to go in the other direction. We’ve got to start putting some slashes in the left-hand column and getting some wins and just get on a roll the other way. We’re kind of treading water. We haven’t hit collectively as a team. Sometimes we have nine hits in a game, but they’re scattered and there’s nothing together. We’ve got to keep fighting. Left fielder Wladimir Balentien on feeling more a part of the team this season: Utility player Mike Morse on his shoulder injury:The doc said my arm is probably going to be better than it was before.I think winter ball would help me a lot to get ready for next year. My goal (this season) is to cheer these guys on and help the team win any way I can now.
Categories: Answers to your questions
• 9 comments
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 04:49:39 pm
I'm just out of the Mariners clubhouse. No huge news apparently, but we got a brief chat with Mike Morse on the condition of his left shoulder separation. He admits he's disappointed about following such an encouraging spring with a lost season, but he also says he's upbeat by nature and is trying to look on the bright side. What passes for a bright side is his hope that he'll be able to start hitting again in four or five months, hopes to play winter ball and is confident he'll be ready to go next spring. We also got a little time with manager John McLaren, who seemed to admit that there are only so many ideas a manager can try, and after that it's just a matter of sticking to the basic plan and hoping the players start producing. His finger stopped short of the panic button, but he admits that there is a growing urgency to start turning this thing around. They'll get their next chance at 7:10 tonight. About 30,000 tickets remain available (25,000 or more are available for each game of this series) and the game (and series) is on FSN. Here's the lineup they'll trot out there: 1. Ichiro, cf I also spoke a bit with Balentien about his first week up from the Rainiers, and I'll have some of his comments in the Tuesday paper.
Categories: Answers to your questions
Posted by Don Ruiz @ 02:37:10 pm
The roof is open at Safeco Field, but there are cloudy skies above the stadium. And perhaps also in the Mariners' clubhouse ... I'll see about that in an hour or so. At 7:10, the Mariners will begin a seven-game homestand with the first of four against the Texas Rangers. The American League West standings flags in left-center field show Angles, Athletics, Mariners and Rangers. However, the latter two are tied going into tonight's game, so this series will settle third and fourth place ... at least for a while. The Chicago White Sox come in for three starting Friday. The first five games of the homestand start at 7:10, and before concluding with a 1:10 game Sunday. I wouldn't imagine tickets are going to be a problem for any of them, but I'll update that later.
Categories: Answers to your questions
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 12:13:23 pm
 Well, I’m sitting here at an “Evil Empire” coffee shop in New York, listening to people make big deals, about their so-called important jobs, and talking loudly into Bluetooth headphones so everybody in three-block radius can understand their overall importance to the national economy. Sure buddy you may be moving big on the market, but do you get to try and figure out why Richie Sexson can’t hit in Safeco Field, or why the Mariners can’t hit a guy named Darrell Rasner. Oh well, you gotta love New York sometimes. I should have found a bar to write in. But then again, thinking about this Mariners team sometimes drives me to drink. I will say this though there is no shortage of beautiful women in Manhattan and it seems another one walks by every second. So there are positives. And that’s what I’m trying to do with the Mariners is find some positives, I’m an optimistic person by nature, but this road trip didn’t make it easy for me. I guess the biggest positive for me heading into this series with the Rangers is this – The Mariners have to play better, because right now they can’t play much worse. Or can they? It’s tough imagine the Mariners can hit as weakly, field as poorly or receive more inconsistent pitching than they did this past road trip. Manager John McLaren seems to think that a return to Safeco and a little home cooking is what the M’s need. But as Jose Vidro pointed out, the Mariners lost their last two series at home as well. Before I get to the road trip grades, a few programming notes. I won’t be covering tonight or Wednesday night’s games. But I may be blogging some stuff though. Tonight I’ll be in the air for most of the game so no “game thoughts.” Don Ruiz will handle the game coverage. Not sure who is doing Wednesday’s game. Alright here we go … Hitting: F- Want a disgusting stat? Ichiro stole six bases against the Yankees. Do you know how many runs he scored in the series? One. One damn run. That’s with the 2-3-4-5 hitters having changes to hit him in. Overall against New York, the Mariners got 19 hits in 102 plate appearances and with four walks (.194 team batting average) and scored four runs total. Perhaps because of the 19 hits, one was a double, one was a Beltre home run and that was it for extra base hits. And with the exception of Chien-Mien Wang, it wasn’t like they were facing Cy Young and Roger Clemens. We’re talking an aging Mike Mussina, who’s fastball now runs up there at 85 miles per hour and some guy named Darrell Rasner. Pitching: C- Silva and Felix struggled in New York and Jarrod Washburn labored in Cleveland. One thing I think happens with pitchers, though they’ll never admit it, they take the mound knowing they’ll probably only two runs of support and it makes them get too fine. They try and get strikeouts, instead of pitching to contact. And when that happens, they run up their pitch count, fall behind in counts and generally get hit harder than they normally would. The bullpen was ok on the trip, Arthur Rhodes still continues to progress and Brandon Morrow is getting better. The big question is JJ’s command issues and if they’ve been righted by this new throwing routine. When, and if, the Mariners ever get another save situation we’ll find out. Defense: D But you know, the Mariners gold glove third baseman had two this series, including a horrible one against Cleveland on a routine double play throw. He has six errors this season. I know he’s got a hurt wrist and thumb on his glove hand, but a couple ghastly ones have been on throwing errors. Beltre and Joe Crede lead all third basemen in errors. Management: B One thing I didn’t like is all the talk about Clement and Balentien jumpstarting the offense, which I admit we helped perpetuate. These two kids have a combined 40 games of major league experience. There’s bound to be some failure, to go with any success. But the Mariners need to stick by them. They called them up they have to let them get some serious at-bats and allow them to learn a little. I think John McLaren’s tirade at his team was good and deserved. They were playing horribly and if nobody in that clubhouse is going to raise their voice, say something and hold people accountable then McLaren needed to. I could write 10,000 words on this, but I won’t (not yet anyway). Overall: F
Categories: General
• 5 comments
Posted by Dale Phelps @ 12:00:00 pm
The Mariners traded Greg Norton to the Braves today. The team release:
Categories: Roster moves
• 2 comments
Sunday, May 4th, 2008
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 10:11:12 am
Good afternoon from the big ballpark in the Bronx. Let's see if the Mariners can muster some offense today off Darrell Rasner, who was 1-4, with a 4.01 ERA in 2007. It's too bad this guy wasn't suiting up still. There would be no offensive issues. You watch that and you can't help but miss the Gar. GAME UPDATES START HERE: 3:24 -- From Snydro: Divish, I've come to the conclusion that you're bad luck. Take a few days off, and let's see what happens. Sounds like a plan to me. I will be taking Monday off since. I have no idea who's covering the game. They'll get the pleasure of writing about this mess. 3:14 -- Here's a pleasant thought, when the Mariners lose today, and if the Rangers win, Seattle will have sole possession of last place in the AL West. 3:12 -- The playing of YMCA needs to be banned at all stadiums for the rest of eternity. We've got Ross Olehn-somebody coming in, perhaps the Mariners can get some runs off of him. 2:44 -- It's now 8-2, and I think victory for the Mariners has pretty much packed its bags early and headed for the airport. But if they can't win, they need to at least mount some offense as some sort of moral victory for the bruised psyches. 2:20 -- The Mariners miss out on a major opportunity there. Clement is pressing a little and trying to do too much. Both he and Balentien I think are letting the idea of them being sparks to this offense affect them a little. 2:04 -- Wow, Silva is getting banged around pretty good. It's 5-2, and the Mariners have never come back and won game in which they've trailed by more than two runs this season. And we have back-to-back home runs as Robinson Cano also went yard. 1:58 -- The Mariners aren't going to win this game 2-0, know how I know/. Because the Yankees just scored on three straight singles. Silva is not the type of guy to shut teams out, but he is the type to keep him team in games. 1:21 -- Josh Hamilton won the AL player of the month after racking up 32 RBIs in April. The Rangers got Hamilton in a trade for talented young pitcher Edison Volquez. Here's my question, in the past offseason, would have traded Brandon Morrow for Hamilton? It would have been a similar deal. 1:15 --- I know some of you may not read Buster Olney's blog on ESPN.com because it's takes the insider fee, but it's a must read for me. He had this interesting note yesterday. PITCHERS WITH LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF WORKING INTO HITTERS COUNTS 1:12 -- My God, folks, the Mariners scored more than two runs before the seventh inning for the time in five games. Adrian Beltre with a monster home run to left. Johnny Damon didn't even budge when Beltre hit it.
Categories: Game Updates
• 6 comments
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 09:40:28 am
Manager John McLaren talked with the media about his tirade last night. Here's my game story which leads with it. It's not something he particularly enjoyed or planned. But on his way up the tunnel to the clubhouse following yesterday's loss, something in his head, told him it was time. Listen to it here. Including McLaren, who is generally a pretty gregarious guy. Will it work? We'll see. McLaren did change the lineup again. First of all he gave Richie Sexson the day off. Just to keep him fresh. That means Jose Vidro will start at first base today, which could be interesting. He also moved Yuni up in the order and Clement and Balentien down as both have expectedly struggled a little to adjust to major league pitching. Here's the lineups.. Yankees
Categories: General
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 03:42:53 pm
As we waited to go into the clubhouse following the Mariners 6-1 loss, the unmistakable sound of John McLaren's high-pitched tenor of anger could be heard through the thick clubhouse walls. After not wanting to say something he regretted about his team to the media. He told his team directly, loudly and angrily instead. You could see it building on the horizon and since the players weren't doing it, McLaren did it instead. We couldn't hear the exact words, and the ones we did hear, couldn't be used in print. But it had something to do with their effort, their focus, their preparation and their attitudes, all of which need some improvement. "Everything he said, he hit the nail on the head," said Raul Ibanez. "He’s absolutely right. It’s time for us to pick it up. And we're very well capable of picking it up." I'm trying to finish up writing, and I'll post more later.
Categories: Answers to your questions
• 6 comments
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 10:20:00 am
As I was glancing at today's lineups, I heard a little noise in the background. And all of the sudden all the clubhouse tv's tuned to this station.... And I said, "That's Miguel Cairo's theme music." My God, he's starting todaaaayyy!!!! That's right Cairo is starting for Jose Lopez at second base. No major reason other than Cairo supposedly matches up better with Mike Mussina. Perhaps the best part about the Mariners' line-up is that Felix is starting. To modify a line from the movie Beautiful Girls, when Felix pitches it's "Promise of a better day. Promise of a greater hope. Promise of a new tomorrow." GAME THOUGHTS START HERE: 3:45 -- Yesterday, McLaren didn't speak to the media, I wonder how many of the players will today. 3:43 -- Clement with the hat trick today. Wlad and him are going to have their moments where they struggle. But they have to be a little patient with them. 3:02 --- Felix went 5 2/3 allowing six runs, 12 hits. He walked three and struck out three, and threw 105 pitches, 61 for strikes 2:56 --- Two run homer for Johnny Damon and now a single for Jeter. Damon has two doubles and a home run, while Jeter has a double and two singles. Felix is cooked. WE'll be seeing Cha Seung any time now. 2:38 -- Runners on first and second, and Cairo pops up meekly to right field. Everybody!: "Put me in coach, I'm ready to plaaay todaaaay!! 2:32 -- Cha Seung Baek is warming up in the bullpen, the Mariners' problems are solved! Can someone explain how Mike Mussina has not thrown a pitch harder than 84 miles per hour, and has only given up one run. 2:21 -- This link about Trey Hillman is for you DAVE8557... The Mariners had a little something going until Richie's little groundball back to Mussina. 2:08 -- the Marines are down 4-1. Which is about the odds I'd give on a comeback now. Felix is at 58 pitches, in the third inning. 2:03 -- Ok it's not 3-1 as a back-to-back doubles, a single by Matsui barely inside the bang and some sort of horrible throwing mistake by Raul. And now a single by Cabrera, and an error for Ichiro allowing the runners to move up. That's Ichiro first error since Sept. 12 of 2007 and that was his only error of the season. And his 16th career error. 1:50 -- My God, the Mariners scored a run early in the game. I don't believe what I just saw. Ichiro scalded that pitch. And then he's steals second to get into scoring position ... setting up.. "Well, I spent some time in the the Mariners' Nine, watchin' it from the bench; And Cairo grounds out to second. 1:45 -- Joh with a hit that went all of 40 feet, but it was a hit. 1:32 -- I'm not sure if Ichiro could have dove and caught that ball, but the point is moot because Ichiro does not dive. Ever. Mariners down 1-0. 1:19 --- "I got an unused glove, an unsure bat and brand new pair of shoes," --- Yep, Cairo's first at bat, a strikeout swinging. And he even argued a few of the calls with home plate umpire Paul Schreiber, maybe he was saying "We need to slow this down, I might not see the field again for another two weeks."
Categories: Game Updates
• 4 comments
Posted by Ryan Divish @ 10:02:44 am
 Alright, I didn't post any pregame stuff. I don't know what to write about. I wish I had an exact explanation for what is wrong with this team, or an exact solution as to how to fix it. Look, the Mariners are flawed right now and it comes down to a matter of leadership, not only from McLaren, but from the players. We talked about the "glass bowl" theory. Somebody needs to step and be that guy. Do you think that any of this would have stood if Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson or Bret Boone was on this team? Probably not. I honestly think that's part of the reason why McLaren closed his door to the media last night. As he admitted today, McLaren didn't want to say something about his team or his players he couldn't take back, but maybe he should have. But I also think he closed the door, thinking maybe it would send a message to the team that he's said enough and they need to say it to themselves. That didn't happen. It was quiet, and yes, sort of "listless" as you mentioned David. Here's my game story, which talks about the scene in the clubhouse last night. Last night was a bad game all the way around with the exception of Bedard. He'll never admit it, but Beltre is bothered by a sore thumb and wrist on his glove hand. I will say this, I get tired of players saying, "It's only the first month and it's a long season." But on some level it's true, there are five months left to the season and a lot can change in that, baseball players compartmentalize this kind of stuff so much easier than fans and the media, who live and die with each and every game. Even though it's only been a month, a lot of damage to a team's hopes, psyche and end of the year results can be damaged in that first in the month. The type of baseball the Mariners are playing, can't just be righted overnight. Or can it? One thing that I forget sometimes is to take a closer look at the standings. So here they are.... AL West The Mariners are only 4 and half games back. That number is not good, but not horrible. As poorly as they've played, it's only 4 and half games, even though feels like it should be 40. But another week of this type of baseball, that deficit could grow to six or seven and the Mariners will never be able to overcome that. What does it all mean? I still don't know. And I don't think any of the Mariners do either.
Categories: Game Updates
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Mariners Insider
Ryan Divish has been with The News Tribune since 2006, covering the Tacoma Rainiers and high school sports. Divish played baseball at Dickinson State University and also earned a journalism degree from the University of Montana. You will find news, observations, anecdotes, analysis and photographs on this blog. The purpose is to keep readers informed, but also give them a feel for the team and its players, and a place to go to read about baseball. Category
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