Well, well, well, how did I draw this game recap? I wanted it of course, Felix on the mound against the worst team in the league, this was an air-tight opportunity to see a great pitcher dominate and the Mariners win. Up until the bottom of the 8th, the M’s had it, and then it happened. League has been solid all year, but he blew up. Base hits, walks, home runs, it was a bloodbath. Then the M’s put two guys on in the 9th, Josh Wilson at 2nd base, Ichiro rips a base hit to left field, and Mike Brumley, as he is want to do, sends Wilson. Patterson makes a perfect throw, and Wilson is gunned down to end the game. I don’t blame Brumley for sending Wilson, do you really think Figgins is capable of getting a hit to drive him in? He looked terrible all day going 0-3 with 2 K’s. Here are some of observations:
- Michael Saunders is coming into his own and establishing himself as a legit option in left field. Dan and I agree that Saunders should in left, Bradley at DH when he comes back. Saunders’ at bat in the 5th was a sight to behold fouling pitch after pitch off before hitting a single to right to score Ichiro.
- Ichiro is “quietly” batting .348 with 10 stolen bases and a top 15 OBP. He is, yet again, having an all-star season. I wonder if people still want Figgins leading off?
- Felix had a nice bounce back game dominating Baltimore. That was good to see. I feel Wak should have left him in there into the 8th, but hindsight is 20/20. This is Baltimore, you would expect our bullpen to shut down one of the worst teams in the league.
Overall this game was a heart-breaker. For my money the worst loss of the year. It’s too bad, a lot of good happened. Let’s hope The Fist stops the bleeding and yet again gives the Mariners hitters a chance to win.
-Joe
(Forgot the hero and goat: Hero – Michael Saunders. Goat – Brandon League.)
andrewlong7
dpscansen
Joe Loughery
Matthew
The Good Guys Sports Blog 
When this team hits 3 homeruns, I’ll bet they win 90% of the time. Likewise, when Felix goes 7 strong innings allowing just 1 run on 5 hits, we will win more times than not.
Secondly, for my money, sending Wilson home was a mistake by the 3rd base coach. I’m not even looking at this in 20/20 hindsight, because as it happened, I was yelling at Brumley to hold Wilson at 3rd. My reasoning is simple…I thought the odds of Figgins reaching base would have been better than Wilson reaching home safe.
Figgy would have been due up with bases loaded, against Alfredo Simon, aka “Wild Thang.” The odds of Figgy drawing a walk would have been about 50-50, and if not a walk, a hit by pitch, wild pitch, or base hit could have happened too. I realize Figgy may have struck out, grounded out, or popped up to end the game, but I would have liked that matchup better than Wilson trying to score on a line drive base hit to left field. A strong case could be made for either side, but that was my take.
Basically I will question anything Brumley does. Andrew is correct, he needs to be fired.
PS-Unless Joe objects, I am nominating Saunders as my game hero, and League as the goat. League’s 2 pitches that went yard really weren’t terrible pitches, but he was clearly the goat. Also, I think yesterday showed just how badly this team needs a lefty in the pen. It’s no coincidence that we are the only team in baseball without a lefty back there.
I was yelling to hold Wilson too. That was annoying.
Maybe the offense is coming around a little bit. I’m really starting to like the idea of Bradley DHing with Saunders in left. Saunders won’t stay this hot all season but, as Joe said, his at bat in the 5th inning was the Mariners best at bat all season.
I think this was one of the best all around games the Mariners have played all season except for the bottom of the 8th. It was definitely one of the more enjoyable games to watch except for that inning.
Kevin Millwood is so much like Doug Fister. It’s ridiculous.
Also, don’t worry. Ryan Rowland-Smith will be in the bullpen soon. Really soon.
Sorry fellas, I forgot the Hero & Goat! I agree with Dan, Saunders is the hero, League the goat. No question.
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2010/5/12/1469664/starting-a-meme
We need a laugh so here it is.
This was one of the funnier things I’ve seen in a while.
I know, I laughed for so long.