When you hear sincere respect like that coming out of a clubhouse, it bears repeating.
I know that it’s more important for the young guys to do well because they are the future (and there was a good share of that in this game as well) but, it is pretty cool to watch this incredible, unexpected season that Raul is having. And, you KNOW it’s got to be helping these youngsters – in EVERY way imaginable. Raul has always been a great role model as a person and a player with an exceptional work ethic and a willingness to share his knowledge and experience (because players like Jamie Moyer and Edgar did it for him) but, for him to be having a season like this at age 41 is pretty special. You go, Raul!
ON THE MOUND
Safeco Joe is back ~ and looking really good against his old team . . .
SEVEN innings ~ FIVE hits ~ ZERO walks ~ TWO walk ~ FIVE strikeouts
} Danny promptly gave up the shutout (allowed TWO runs on his own and an inherited runner scored later) and struck out ONE
} Lucas didn’t record an out, gave up a double to the only batter he faced (Hamilton – his first hit of the game)
} Yoervis gave up Danny’s inherited runner via a ground ball out and induced a pop-up for the third out to limit the damage in the 8th and then retired the side in the 9th to hand Joe his EIGHTH win (he’s now 8-8)
AT THE PLATE
~ Once again, Kyle extends TWO streaks with ONE swing . . .
his personal hitting streak to TWELVE and the M’s consecutive game homers to TWENTY (club record)
~ Rauuuuuul hit not one but TWO more homers (#23 went into the Hit It Here Cafe, #24 to right center)
~ Kendrys went back-to-back with Raul in the 7th
~ Mike’s been comin’ ’round, THREE more hits (including a double) and an RBI tonight
Rauuuuuuul | Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
So, the middle of the order REALLY WAS: FOUR homers ~ ONE double ~ SIX runs scored ~ FIVE rbi
Also, while the homers are fun, it is also great to see some versatility from the offense like, walks and deep fly balls with runners on and less than two outs so that singles can then be productive. It works. Keep it up.
IN THE FIELD
* crazy bloop drops in a triangle of defenders down the right field line that resulted in Halos at 2B and 3B in the 2nd (luckily Joe would get out of it with back-to-back strikeouts)
* Dustin with a great running, snow cone catch in CF (definitely the best catch I’ve seen him make in the OF so far)
* rather odd – no double plays, on either side
* Mike threw out Trout (of all players!) I personally think that gave Mikey a little extra swagger when he took his AB’s 😉
O U T ! | Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
tweets of the game . . .
Compass Rosy 