Category Archives: HOME

a heart-breaking loss in a series win; an incredible win in a series loss

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~ a tale of two series ~

where the second game of each was the stand out w/very different outcomes . . . 

Mariners 2 | Athletics 3

(M’s win the series 2-1)

The M’s second series with the A’s featured a heart-breaking loss in which James struck out SIXTEEN batters (in SEVEN innings). Unfortunately, M’s bats weren’t exactly on fire either and both Juan and Edwin gave up runs late, wasting the best outing of James’ career and blowing the victory.

Mariners 9 | Angels 8

(M’s lose the series 1-2)

What a crazy game on Saturday! The M’s didn’t score until the 6th when Jean, Mitch, Robbie and Nellie go: single, double, double, walk to score TWO and cut the Halos lead in half. Then in the 8th, they take the lead with a couple of singles, a double, a walk and a homer (Zu! TWO run shot). Halos tie it up in the top of the 9th and it goes to extras – where the roller coaster begins: Halos score in the 10th, M’s tie it. Halos score in the 11th, M’s tie it with a Kyle double (scoring Robbie who had a lead-off walk) and then Ryon’s first walk-off for the M’s – double scoring Kyle 🙂

hs1 | short but sweet homestand = series win!

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Yes, we will take TWO out of THREE every time! (and all ONE-RUN games, at that!)

2 out of 3

 

Mariners 2 | Indians 1

Mariners 5 | Indians 6

Mariners 5 | Indians 4

 

 

 

(covered Opening Day in  previous post )

Each of the second and third game saw the M’s earn FIVE runs (one short of a win in one game and just enough to win the other). So, in the two games combined, they had EIGHTEEN hits, FIVE doubles, THREE homers and FIVE walks . . . very decent production.

Mitch is on F I R E !!!

I know, it’s only three games but, still . . . fun to see him leading the majors in BA/OBP/OPS/SLG  🙂 especially since I picked him to be the best “new-comer” last season and he was off to a great start but, then got hurt (a couple times 😦 )

Speaking of injuries . . .

oh, Nellie! a homer in each of the first TWO games and then some freak accident, turning his ankle stepping into the dugout 😦

I-chi-ro!

spectacular wall-climbing catch on Saturday: Ichiro’s robbery

On the MOUND

  • James had a bit of a blip on Saturday (OK – giving up a grand slam in the first inning is not how anyone draws it out) but, he’s allowed a mulligan or two if he can just stay HEALTHY this season (please! please! please!).
  • Mike Leake had a nice > quality start in Sunday’s game: SEVEN innings – FIVE hits – TWO earned runs – THREE walks – FOUR strikeouts
  • Overall, the BULLY was pretty great. As mentioned, Eddie’s save on Thursday was a bit of an adventure but, Sunday’s was a gem: 1-2-3 SIT!!! The pen followed up James’ short and not so sweet outing with FOUR.ONE innings of HITLESS, SCORELESS ball!

So, really seems that it all comes down to health . . .

  • Seems like the new guys (Gordon, Healy, Marjama) really have a chance to contribute.
  • Kyle off to a slow start (but, then, you can pretty much draw up his season in PEN – slow start but great defense and in the end .260 w/25 homers.
  • As mention, Mitch is hot and Robbie’s not far behind, Segura should be steady.
  • Get well soon, Nellie and Zu!
  • And, of course the arms . . . please protect the arms!

Next up – short 2-game series w/the Giants in SanFran and then the Twins home-opener (another Thursday/Saturday/Sunday series) then off to Kansas City for three).

Go M’s!

 

g1 | Home again . . .

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Surprise, surprise!

Compass Rosy is still around 😉

I’ve definitely been a bad fan by letting too many distractions get in the way of focusing on the Mariners this late Winter/early Spring – but, no more! I”m going to do my best to keep up with our “boys of summer” this season. My commute now requires a ferry ride and does not allow for my to watch complete games on TV (let alone attend in person without special arrangements – like I made in order to attend this one) since I have to arise at 4am every weekday to catch the first boat off the island. But, will do my best to stay engaged and provide thoughts and observations as we go along in 2018 . . .

WELCOME BACK BASEBALL 🙂

Great to be back at Safeco Field for actual Opening Day . . .

I’ve never missed a home opener at Safeco Field – and not about to start now, no matter where I live! Interesting that this is only the second time in the past ten seasons that the M’s actually opened the season at home!

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Firsts for the First Game . . .

  • Win – FELIX
  • Save – EDWIN
  • Strike Out – FELIX
  • Hit – ROBBIE
  • Walk – DEE
  • Double – MITCH
  • Homer – NELLIE
  • RBI – NELLIE

 

 

 

And then there were the  firsts in the first inning . . . 

Robbie had the first M’s hit on the first pitch he saw, followed by Nellie who hit it out with no doubt on the first pitch to him.

With the M’s leading 2-1, a bit of frustrating drama in the top of the ninth . . .

Eddie’s first save was anything but boring: he struck out the first batter; then hit the second batter, who later advanced on a balk AND stole 3B; then he hit the third batter; then he struck out the next two.

In between . . .

Felix: 5.1 innings, TWO hits, TWO walks, FOUR K’s

Bullpen: despite Edwin’s drama, that ended well, they are looking good – combined for 3.2 innings, THREE hits (all off Nick) ONE run (Nick) and FOUR K’s

Skipper praised Mike (Marjama – not Mike Zu, who was scratched shortly before the game with an oblique strain 😦 ). Given the unusual circumstances – only his sixth MLB start and the first opening day start of his career, plus getting hit on the hand early in the game. He was able to navigate well through Felix’s innings and the barrage of bullpen guys.

Other notable items . . .

  • Mitch is batting 1.000 🙂
  • Felix looks ready
  • Eddie’s drama and Nick’s rough outing, the bullpen looks solid
  • Ichiro is more than a bit rusty . . .
  • Dee might need a few games to adjust to Safeco’s huge outfield 😉

Safeco Field record for attendance for a regular season game: 41,497

tweets of the game . . . 

 

my photos of the game  . . .

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Jr in bronze . . .

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Unfortunately, I’ve yet to see this stunning work of art in person . . .

I was actually working from home the day it was unveiled (Thursday, April 13th) but, didn’t realize until too late that the unveiling was occurring (otherwise, I could have at least watched it on TV/Twitter, etc.)

Thankfully, there are plenty of pics/videos on social media – the detail is impeccable . . .

sweeep!!! | Rangers at Safeco

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This series had a little of everything and every way to win: a squeaker, a blow-out and a walk-off 🙂  . . .

Mariners 2 | Rangers 1  Felix wins his first game in ’17 (a squeaker, of course)

Mariners 5 | Rangers 0  Paxton was AWE.SOME!!! Motter (aka: Motter Pop!) making his mark in Segura’s stead 🙂

Mariners 8 | Rangers 7  Kuma didn’t have it today – thankfully, the bully did! And, how ’bout that Mitch Haniger?!? He got ’em back in it with a THREE-run jack, kept ’em in it by robbin’ one at the wall . . . fantastic!!! And, the new found speed showed up in the 9th (Dyson with a lead-off infield hit, a steal and scored the tying run 🙂

Great series  . . . nice to get on a roll, let’s keep rolling on past the Fish!!!

 

 

home opener | the pomp matched the circumstance

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It was nice to have the “pomp” (opening day ceremonies) match the circumstance (a win!) for the #MarinersOpener

All the usual touches from the bunting, to the confetti, to the Make-A-Wish kid run around the bases to the video with Dave’s voice reading the poem “Welcome Back Baseball” . . .

 

                Welcome back, baseball. Welcome back.

 

And, since this also happens to be the celebration of the Mariners 40th season, there was an extra special ‘first pitch’ – a group effort from: Willie Bloomquist, Harold Reynolds, Mark McLemore and Rupert Jones

Dad and I had a fabulous time, as usual, our tradition . . .

Of course, the best part was the WIN!!!

(especially after the abysmal road trip that started the season)

Mariners 6 | Astros 0

Talk about clicking on all cylinders!

  • Pitching was awesome (just imagine, an entire year of THIS James Paxton 7IP-8K-0R)
  • 2-5 in the line up came through at 8 for 14 w/3 doubles, and FIVE RBI
  • 6-9 came through with 1 walk, 3 hits, 2 runs
  • the lone bad spot was 1 – Segura left the game with a hamstring strain

All-in-All, a great day (even splurged on some great new M’s merch: jacket, t-neck and jersey)

So happy baseball is back 🙂

g110 | sweet sweeep!

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Mariners 3 | Angels 1

3 brooms

ON the MOUND
James was awesome – pitching into the 9th and, but for getting hit on the elbow by a come-backer, would likely have recorded only the second complete game by a Mariners pitcher this season. Fingers crossed that it’s just a bruise . . .
EIGHT.ONE innings ~ FIVE hits ~ ONE run ~ ZERO earned runs ~ ONE walk ~ SIX strikeouts

Bartender walked one but, got the last two outs.

AT the PLATE
Only SEVEN total hits . . .

  • none for extra bases
  • all scoring in the 4th (2 singles and a sac-fly)
  • TWO of the hits were milestones (Mike Freeman’s first and second major league hits and the second resulted in his first major league RBI)

IN the FIELD
Shawn had a fielding error and the M’s didn’t turn a DP (had one turned against them)

tweets of the game . . .