Tag Archives: Bedard

July … sorta made me cry

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July Tid-Bits
  • 17 will get you 20 – the 17 game losing streak gave the M’s a 6-20 mark for the month of July
  • Still last in nearly every major offensive category
  • And, even the pitching fell apart – 2nd highest ERA in the AL
  • -54 run differential for the month, -67 overall
AT THE PLATE
OK, we all know the sad story about the abysmal offense as a whole so, let’s focus on the successes, shall we?  Two Mariners batted .300+ in the month of July…
they would be: Dustin (.308) and Mike (.349) each with a triple and Dustin also led the team in doubles (8) and homers (3).
ON THE MOUND
Usually, we’ve at least got pitching to brag about.  Not this month.  The M’s starters combined for a 5-16 record.  Newbie, Blake Beavan performed the best of the rotation, posting a 1-2 record with a 3.03ERA.  Felix and Fister each had sub-4 ERA’s, but, for them not too stellar (poor Doug – 0-4 through really no fault of his own).  And then there’s Jason … who just flat out imploded in July.
IN THE PEN
Brandon only had 7 appearances in July – converting 3 of 4 save opportunities (one blown, but got the win) and posting a 1.79 ERA for the month.  He has recovered nicely from that rough patch in May, lowering his overall ERA to just a smidge over 3, while most of the other relievers saw their ERAs go the wrong direction in July.
OF BASE PATHS AND LEATHER WORKS
One offensive area the M’s excelled at in July – thievery!
Ichiro, Guti, Brendan and Chone combined for 22 stolen bases.
M’s had 27 total in July – tied for 3rd in the AL
JULY STARS
No question about the hitting star…
Dustin Ackley! (see above)
The pitcher is less clear, I’ll call it a tie between a couple “B’s”…
Brandon and Blake.  The closer helped the M’s to 4  of their 6 victories (3 saves and a win) and the rookie only notched one win (vs the Pads) but, showed a LOT of poise against some good to great teams –
Angels, Rangers and Red Sox.

DEPARTURES
It’s always sad to see guys go but, I understand the reasoning.  Best of luck to Doug Fister and David Pauley with the Tiggers and Erik Bedard with the Red Sox.  Here’s hoping they all pitch well, stay healthy and really contribute to their new teams – who both appear likely headed for post season play!

Definitely glad to turn the Calendar to August!

bye-bye Erik and Josh (we hardly knew you) Fields

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Just prior to the game today, word was trickling in about a deal including Erik Bedard.  It wasn’t until about the 2nd inning that the details of the latest, and last, deadline deal became known…

Seattle sent Bedard and right-handed Minor League reliever Josh Fields to Boston. In return, the Mariners received Triple-A outfielder Trayvon Robinson from the Dodgers and Double-A outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang from the Red Sox.The Red Sox, who initially acquired Robinson to make the deal happen, sent Minor League catcher Tim Federowicz, righty Juan Rodriguez and right-hander Stephen Fife to the Dodgers.

Looks like some interesting hitters added to the M’s org…
~Robinson .293 BA w/ 26 HR, 6 3B, 9 2B, 45 BB and 71 RBI in 100 games in AAA Albuquerque
~Chiang .338 BA w/ 18 HR, 4 3B, 36 2B, 25 BB and 76 RBI in 87 games in AA Portland

You go, Jack Z!

June Swoon…

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June Totals
  • 11 wins – 16 losses
  • 3.06 ERA – FIRST in the AL (and yet second to last in WINS)
  • 191.1 IP by the starters – FIRST in the MAJORS
  • .227 BA – LAST in the MAJORS
  • -4 run differential for the month, -14 overall
AT THE PLATE
Well, at least the pitchers hit pretty well during Interleague 😉
The offense as a whole continues to sputter – those whose batting average had started to creep up a bit in May either had significantly reduced playing time (Cust, Wilson) or started/continued to spiral downward (Ryan, Kennedy, Smoak) in June. What to make of Miggy – he only had 17 hits in the month of June and 8 of them were home runs.  The lone bright spot?  Dustin Ackley.  Called up and in the starting line up for the first time on June 17th vs. the Phillies, Dustin collected his first hit in his first at bat and has reached base safely in every game he has played since – 10 hits in 12 games, including 2 homers, 2 triples a double and 4 walks.  Welcome to the Show, Dustin.  Welcome to the Show.

ON THE MOUND
Overall, the starters continued their splendid ways…
Well, Felix and Michael had rough months going 3-3 and 1-3 respectively and Felix gave up 5 earned runs, twice!  And then there was Mr. Fister who continued to garner the least run support in the majors so his 0-3 record was in NO way reflective of his performance (7IP twice and 8IP three times while lowering his ERA 30 points).  Jason was only 2-2 but, those two wins were pretty spectacular – both complete game shutouts (one vs. the Phils and one vs. the Rays). And, saving the best for last, despite another paltry recore (1-2) he was nearly lights out in June. Unfortunately, just before the calendar turned to July, he was placed on the 15-day DL with a knee sprain.

IN THE PEN
Not a super stellar month, but…
Could very likely be due to lack of use. Only follows that the starting staff with the most innings in the majors for the month would also have the bullpen with the fewest innings.  They also posted the fewest walks per nine innings in the majors. Here’s to a little more use for the ‘pen – just enough to keep ’em sharp and the rotation fresh. 

OF BASE PATHS AND LEATHER WORKS
Dustin gets a gold star in this category as well…
His defense has been a very pleasant surprise.  He seems to have no problem turning the double-play – even with a runner bearing down on him.  Dustin’s base-running has been pretty flawless as well.  No one will forget his run from 3B to home plate on a wild pitch during an INTENTIONAL walk vs. the Marlins.Other than that, some great outfield catches and no real guffaws (well, if you don’t count Figgy, who leads teh team in errors) and some nifty double plays.

JUNE STARS
Erik Bedard  pitched 32 innings in June, struck out 33, allowed only 6 walks and 8 runs – but only posted a 1-2 record.  Most believe he has WAY exceeded expectations and is definitely in line for the Comeback Player of the Year.  Here’s hoping the DL stint will be short-lived (at least it’s not his arm/shoulder).
Dustin Ackley has been a breath of fresh air! Mostly, cuz he doesn’t act like a rookie at all. He is poised and confident at the plate, even when facing tough lefties (for which he is 6 of 8 with a homer, a triple, a double and a walk). And, in the field it is to the point everyone is really rooting for him to turn the most difficult of DP’s instead of fearing it.


Honorable Mention
Brandon League has gone 17.2 scoreless innings since that mid-May debacle and for June, he pitched 9.2 innings and allowed 7 hits and 1 walk. Way to bounce back, Brandon!

ST29 | vs. Dodgers

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Mariners 1 | Dodgers 8

HERE’S HOPING ERIK AND WILHELMSEN WERE WORK WORKING ON STUFF
as they both struggled mightily, each giving up more runs in their respective appearances tonight than they had all spring long.

THINGS WERE LOOKING PRETTY BLEAK WITH THE BATS TOO
only THREE hits.  But, Michael Saunders did hit his first spring home run in his last spring game.

AS FOR IN THE GLOVES AND ON THE BASES
one DP and one SB (Langerhans)

M’s finish the spring at 16-13-2


ss ST24 | vs. Cubbies and Dodgers

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Mariners 3 | Cubs 6

ON THE MOUND
Except for Jimenez’s really rough outing, the pitching was great.

AT THE PLATE
Offense?  Not so much.
But, good to see that the only 2XBH (both doubles) were off of Justin’s bat.

Mariners 6 | Dodgers 0

BEDARD CONTINUES HIS STRONG SPRING
Dare we dream that this will continue into the regular season?
And, the staff combined for a 5-hit shut out, allowing only FIVE hits (FOUR walks, though)

THE OFFENSE CONTRIBUTED WAY MORE THAN WAS NEEDED
Tui’s bat getting hot – TWO hits, including a homer and THREE RBI.
And, Olivo wasted no time contributing in his first time back in the lineup since March 5th with a TWO-run single in the first.

NEWS AND NOTES

ST20 | vs. Pads

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Mariners 4 | Padres 1

Now THIS game I really enjoyed ~ because I was THERE 🙂

ERIK CONTINUED HIS SOLID SPRING
allowing ONE run on FIVE scattered hits with ONE walk and TWO strikeouts

THE PEN PICKED UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
Wright, Lueke and League combined for FOUR scoreless innings w/ League finally earning a SAVE

IN THE FIELD
Figgy had an error, but lets focus on the THREE double-plays, Milton’s outfield assist, Wright’s pick-off and an awesome diving catch by Langerhans!  That’s the D I want to see!

The weather was perfect – not too hot for this pale Seattelite 🙂
It was fun to meet up with Lonnie and Matt prior to that game and enjoy a Buca de Beppo lunch!

NEW AND NOTES

ST16 | vs. Brew Crew

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Mariners 4 | Brewers 5

PITCHING NOT THE SHARPEST
Pineda got knocked around a bit (TWO earned runs on SEVEN hits and ONE walk) but did record THREE strikeouts in his FOUR innings of work.   The rest of the staff combined for TWO earned runs on FIVE hits and ZERO walks.

OFFENSE NOT IN THE SWING
only SIX hits and if it weren’t for Ryan’s THREE-run home run there would have only been ONE run from Cust’s double.

MIXED BAG OF RUNNING and “D”
with a stolen base and TWO double plays but, also TWO errors and a caught stealing and Milton suffered his first ejection of the spring for arguing balls and strikes.

NEWS AND NOTES

ST11 | vs. Halos

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Mariners 10 | Angels 5

ERIK FINALLY GIVES UP SOME HITS AND A RUN
‘t was bound to happen.  He also struck out TWO in his 2.2 innings of work.

REST OF THE ROTATION, SOME UP, SOME DOWN
~Lueke struggled
~Laffey pretty solid and was awarded the win
~Bautista, Miller, Castro combined to allow only TWO hits, ONE run and FIVE strikeouts in THREE innings

BATS JUST KEEP ON, KEEPIN’ ON
Second straight day of ELEVEN hits – yesterday FOUR homers, today TWO (Gross, Liddi).  The most impressive of those was Alex Liddi’s SECOND grand slam in as many days!

NEWS AND NOTES

ST6 | vs. Tribe

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M’s 7 | Indians 2

ERIKKKK is BACKKKK…
Starting to get a bit excited re: the possibility of a healthy Erik behind a dominant Felix.  Still crossing all appendages for good measure though.

AND HOW ‘BOUT THOSE BATS?!?
Only EIGHT hits, but getting SEVEN runs from that is pretty efficient.

AND ANOTHER TWO DP’s
Figgins to Kazmar to Kennedy AND Liddi to Kazmar to Gimenez

NEWS AND NOTES

ST Charity Game | vs. Padres

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M’s 13 | Pads 12
13 RUNS?!?
THAT didn’t happen in too many games last season (heck, it didn’t happen in too many WEEKS 😉  Then again, giving UP 12 runs wasn’t a common occurrence either.  But, hey, it Spring Training.  It’s baseball.  Baseball is BACK!!!

SOME OF THE BEST NEWS CAME IN THE FIRST INNING…
Erik Bedard ~ 9 pitches, 8 strikes, 2 strikeouts, 1 ground out
How great would it be if Erik was actually able to get through ST, start the season in the rotation behind Felix and actually pitch, even somewhat effectively, all season?  Okay, so I won’t hold my breath.  But, I WILL cross all appendages.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PITCHING WENT DOWN HILL FROM THERE…
With Danny Bautista having a particularly bad day (unable to get through one inning and giving up five runs).  Petit and Smith each threw scoreless frames in the 9th and 10th respectively.  The others seemed to have sort of typical “first spring outings” – giving up a handful of hits and a run or two in an inning or two of work.

WITH 13 RUNS, PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE GOT INTO THE ACTION…
But, the new, svelte Jack Wilson lead in RBI (3) and Carlos Peguerro impressed in more ways than one.  Not only did he tie the game in the bottom of the 9th with a two-out, two-run home run.  He then proceeded to keep the game tied in the 10th by throwing a runner out at home plate – from center field.

FIELDING AND RUNNING…
Miguel had a passed ball, but he and Bard each threw runners out trying to steal.  Luke picked a runner off first and then there was that gun down at the plate by Peguerro and Adam Kennedy swiped a bag.

PRIOR TO THE GAME, THERE WAS THIS LITTLE BOMBSHELL…
Jody Gerut retires | Geoff Baker
“I can no longer, in good conscience, play the game in a manner that reflects the positive example for the younger generation of baseball players,” he said. “Physcially, I’m fine. But mentally, my reasons for wanting to be in uniform have become so thin and narrow that I refuse to disrespect the game that has provided so generously for my family in a halfhearted way.
“This game of ours owes me nothing, but I owe the game at least that much. When a player finds his willingness to compete to be so greatly diminished, that player must leave the game so as not to disrespect it by becoming a player who plays solely for his paycheck and his own personal glory.
“This is a notion so distasteful to me it makes me physically sick to my stomach.

Wow.  Jody, we hardly knew ya.  I’m thinking it would have been nice to…

Next up (and this one actually counts in the Cactus League standings)…
Mariners vs. Padres
Monday, February 28th 12:05pm