Monday, April 22, 2013 @ 9:59pm
Felix reaches 100 as Mariners' offense busts out
This is not quite what I expected in my first game back from a short vacation. While in Hawaii for my brother's wedding, I did glance at a tweet or a score here and there and quite frankly was a bit alarmed at what I was seeing. To say the offense took a tumble would be putting it mildly.
So Monday was a pleasant surprise, needless to say. In just five innings I saw as many runs as I missed in the five games I did not attend. Problem solved? Well, one good game doesn't cure everything, of course, but hopefully this is a step in the right direction.
 Felix Herhandez struck out nine over six scoreless innings en route to his 100th career win. (AP) |
"Finally, finally," he said at his locker after the game. "I feel great. One hundred wins in the big leagues. I hopefully can get more and more."
His teammates were happy for him and happy to get the chance to get him back. Felix is one of the more ruthless participants in the traditional (for the Mariners) celebratory beer shower, which is executed after milestones. It takes place in the shower with the whole team loudly taking part. The honoree is usually wheeled in on a laundry cart and subjected to a dousing of ice-cold anything-they-can-get-their-hands-on, including beer, milk and ketchup.
Jesus Montero, who had been looking forward to this day since spring training, apparently took charge.
"I say 'congratulations' when he came out in the seventh inning," Montero said. "Don't worry, wait for us over there. We are going to have some fun inside."
"The beer shower ... I was the one who threw all the ketchup," he continued. "He's the worst, that's why we did that because all the time he get powder and everything? He's crazy."
It wasn't just about the fun for Montero. Felix could only do so much. After doing his part and coming up empty handed the last two weeks, Montero was relieved that his teammate finally reached the milestone.
"I feel happy because I helped Felix get the win," he said. "I feel good because he got that 100 win. Thank God I hit that homer. I give him a little more confidence, you know? I told him, 'don't worry, we get the win.'"
Montero wasn't the only teammate that helped. Kyle Seager and Kendrys Morales homered as well. Dustin Ackley had three hits, two lasers to left and an infield hit where he showed good speed. Justin Smoak had two hits, including a double.
In his on-field interview after the game, Seager said the full team's early batting practice likely contributed to the win.
"All the coaches were out there, even the pitchers were out for early BP, too," he said of the support.
There was some concerning news when Franklin Gutierrez was slow to get up after diving for a ball in the fourth inning. A trainer and Eric Wedge met him behind second base and walked him off the field. He will be re-evaluated Tuesday, but Wedge admitted he could face time on the disabled list. Carlos Peguero was pulled from the Rainiers game when the Mariners clubhouse opened after the game so it looks like there is a good chance we could see him Tuesday.
DL time could be a blessing in disguise for Gutierrez, who has not been able to take the field with any regularity while dealing with what he earlier described as more than just leg problems.
"I have had some issues with my pelvis and I am trying to fix it," he said. "Some days it is the groin, some days the hamstrings. It's different, but I am working on it. I'm doing a lot of things just to get strong in that area and avoid any injury."
Extended time off might help heal the problem, which first crept up during spring training. The timing is obviously not good with Michael Saunders on the DL, but he is progressing nicely -- taking batting practice and starting to throw Monday. He is eligible to come off the DL Friday.
Hisashi Iwakuma takes the hill Tuesday. He is still dealing with the blister on his middle finger but it has hardly slowed him; he's currently third in the American League in batting average against. Pretty remarkable considering he is unable to throw breaking pitches in bullpens. Let's see if the offense saved him a couple of runs. Or more.
Thursday, April 18, 2013 @ 11:20am
Video: Baby steps for Mariners' young hitters
By 710Sports.com staff
After scoring all of three runs over the last 23 innings, things don't figure to get much easier for the Mariners as they face Tigers ace Justin Verlander in today's series finale.
But as Matt Pitman and Rick Rizzs discuss in the video above, some of the team's younger hitters have been showing signs of life as they attempt to shake off slow starts.
First pitch for today's game is 12:40. The game can be heard on 710 ESPN Seattle, and you can also follow along with our live gametracker.
Here is the Mariners' lineup:
Endy Chavez, CF
Jason Bay, RF
Kendrys Morales, DH
Michael Morse, LF
Justin Smoak, 1B
Kelly Shoppach, C
Dustin Ackley, 2B
Robert Andino, 3B
Brendan Ryan, SS
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP
Thursday, April 18, 2013 @ 10:31am
What Aaron Harang can do for the Mariners' rotation
Facing one of the best lineups in baseball wasn't the only challenge facing Aaron Harang Tuesday night. The veteran pitcher was making his 2013 debut after a pair of trades and an extended layover.
 Aaron Harang |
Harang joined the Mariners last week via a trade with the Rockies, who had designated him for assignment days earlier after acquiring him in a trade with the Dodgers on April 6. The Rockies told Harang they were going to DFA him, so he drove from Los Angeles to his home in San Diego and tried to keep his arm ready while he waited for his next opportunity.
"I called up the guys at San Diego State and told them I needed to keep throwing, so they brought me out and had me throw bullpens," he said. "I threw a five-inning simulated game, 83 pitches, just to kind of keep everything going."
Harang was on a pitch count – "about 85-90 is what we were thinking," he said – when he made his first start with the Mariners Tuesday. He ended up throwing 95 pitches over five innings while holding his own against a tough Tigers lineup. Harang allowed three earned runs on seven hits, striking out six with no walks. The Mariners lost the game, 6-2.
In the video below, Bob Stelton and Dave Grosby share additional thoughts on Harang's debut and what he can do for the Mariners' rotation.
You can listen to Wednesday's show here.
Thursday, April 18, 2013 @ 9:07am
Mariners recall Noesi, option LaFromboise
The Mariners swapped one reliever for another Thursday, recalling right-hander Hector Noesi from Triple-A Tacoma and optioning lefty Bobby LaFromboise.
Noesi, 26, will be available for Thursday's series finale against Detroit. He was transferred to Tacoma earlier this week after beginning the season in Double-A Jackson, where he went 1-0 without allowing an earned run in two starts.
One of the pieces in the Jesus Montero-Michael Pineda trade, Noesi made 18 starts for the Mariners last season, going 2-12 with a 5.82 ERA.
LaFromboise, 26, allowed a pair of earned runs in three relief appearances for the Mariners this season.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 @ 3:32pm
Video: Rizzs, Pitman on Mariners' new-look bullpen
By 710Sports.com staff
Injuries, ineffectiveness and a trade have resulted in a bullpen shuffle for the Mariners.
Gone are Lucas Luetge (optioned to Triple-A), Stephen Pryor (disabled list) and Kameron Loe (designated for assignment). Bobby LaFromboise, Blake Beavan and Yoervis Medina have taken their places.
The video above includes thoughts from Matt Pitman and Rick Rizzs on the new additions and their roles in the bullpen.
First pitch for tonight's game against the Tigers is 7:10. The game can be heard on 710 ESPN Seattle, and you can also follow along with our live gametracker.
Here is the Mariners' lineup:
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Michael Morse, RF
Raul Ibanez, LF
Justin Smoak, 1B
Jesus Montero, C
Dustin Ackley, 2B
Brendan Ryan, SS
Felix Hernandez, SP
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 @ 10:30am
End of a streak
Just wanted to give you a heads up, I will be out until Monday. My brother is getting married and as luck would have it he decided to do it in Hawaii, so away I go. Believe it or not, this is the first road series I have taken off since I got this job 10 years ago. A new streak will start Monday in Houston.
While I am away Brady Henderson and the fine 710Sports.com staff will keep you up to date on Mariners news, Matt Pitman will take over video and insider report duties and Gary Hill will provide excellent pre- and post-game reporting. You should not hear from me but you never know.
 Michael Morse is back after missing three games with a broken pinky. (AP)
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It turned out that the most fixable element of the Mariners at that time was the starting pitching. Jack Zduriencik went out, made a move and added a starter. Brandon Maurer shook off some of his rookiness and Joe Saunders settled in to Safeco Field.
Now the team is dealing with a bullpen that has three new members in it. Losing Stephen Pryor was a blow. It would be helpful if Blake Beavan could make the transition fairly quickly and be able to give the Mariners six outs every three to four days. Bobby LaFromboise has looked promising. Yoervis Medina may be able to help in limited innings.
This is a significant overhaul and it is tough for this group to meet expectations that were put on those they are replacing. There is a reason those players broke camp with the Mariners and the others didn't. Still, given a chance to settle in a bit, this element could be somewhat fixable. And if not, perhaps Zduriencik can go out once again and get some help.
As for reinforcements on the offensive side of things, it was great to see Michael Morse get himself back out on the playing field. He asked if any further damage could be done to his pinky if he played and was told no. At that point it was a matter of dealing with discomfort, which he was prepared to do.
Michael Saunders is still a little ways off. He is not yet able to do any baseball activity but he is able to do range of motion and the Mariners are encouraged to the point of deciding to take him on the upcoming roadtrip. Always a good sign.
That is it for now, the plane is boarding. Have a good week and Aloha!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 @ 5:27pm
Video: Injury updates as M's open series with Tigers
By 710Sports.com staff
The Mariners called up Yoervis Medina from Triple-A Tacoma today to fill the vacant roster spot of fellow reliever Stephen Pryor, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list yesterday with a muscle tear in his right lat.
The video above includes Shannon Drayer's thoughts on Medina, injury updates on Pryor and outfielder Michael Saunders, the lineup for tonight's series opener against the Tigers and notes on the team's new partnership with DIRECTV.
First pitch is 7:10. The game can be heard on 710 ESPN Seattle, and you can also follow along with our live gametracker.
Here is the Mariners' lineup:
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Michael Morse, RF
Raul Ibanez, LF
Justin Smoak, 1B
Kelly Shoppach, C
Dustin Ackley, 2B
Brendan Ryan, SS
Aaron Harang, SP
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 @ 11:39am
Mariners form a regional sports network with partnership with ROOT
As reported by 710 ESPN Seattle's Brock Huard earlier this morning, the Mariners have acquired a majority stake in ROOT Sports and are forming a new regional sports network (RSN) partnership. DIRECTV Sports Networks, which currently owns the three ROOT networks, will assume a minority position and continue to oversee the day-to-day management of the new Northwest Network.
The new agreement will keep Mariners baseball on the new network through the 2030 season and also provide other professional, collegiate and high school sports programming. There is no official word as of yet if the new NBA team would be a part of this network.
The Mariners/ROOT partnership has been a strong one and it has been hard not to notice the increased ROOT presence on production pieces on the new video screen. While this is a new venture for the Mariners, from a production standpoint they are not exactly starting from scratch and this no doubt will be a plus going forward.
More importantly, this deal gives the Mariners a chance to compete financially with other teams that have gone the route of investing in or owning RSNs. Mariners Executive Vice President of Business Operations Bob Aylward pointed this out in the press release.
"We are investing to own a majority share of the new venture, and committing our rights well into the future, confident that this will maximize the value of our television rights, and more importantly, provide resources to remain competitive on the field for many years to come," he said.
A teleconference is scheduled for later this afternoon, when more details could become available.
