Tag Archives: Medina

g24 | it started out SO well . . .

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Mariners 4 | Astros 11

THREE homers in the 2nd inning?!? And, you figured they were off and running.

homer happy
Unfortunatley, Tai’s part didn’t go as planned 😦

homer sad

ON the MOUND
In FIVE starts vs the ‘stros, Taijuan was 3-0 w/ a 2.67 ERA. That went by the wayside today . . .
Despite setting the Astros down in order in the 1st and his offense handing him a 3-0 lead in the top of the 2nd, he quickly gave up a run in the bottom of the 2nd and then in the 3rd, back-to-back homers in the 3rd to relinquish the lead – for good. But, the nail was yet to come: back-to-back singles followed by an Altuve homer and Tai was unable to get out of the 4th
THREE innings ~ NINE hits ~ EIGHT runs ~ SEVEN earned runs ~ ONE walk ~ TWO strikeouts

} Yoervis promptly gives up another homer to the first batter he faces in relief of Tai in the 4th
} Tyler gives up a single and a walk in the 5th but, escapes further damage. Then, back-to-back doubles in the 6th extends the Astros already ridiculous lead
} Danny had the only clean sheet (the 8th) vs the ‘stros

AT the PLATE
The good news is the power surge . . .
~ THREE homers in the 2nd: Nellie, LoMo (each their second straight game with a homer) and Zu
~ ONE more in the 6th (Nellie AGAIN!)
The bad news is . . .
~ that was it, the rest of the hits (only THREE) were all singles

That said – a few better pitches and a few less errors and this would have been a winnable game.

IN the FIELD
back to slop, slop, sloppy . . .
* THREE errors (Brad, Tai and Zu)
* though they did turn a nice DP (Kyle to LoMo) to end the 2nd

tweets of the game . . .

g23 | what a difference one pitch makes . . .

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Mariners 3 | Astros 4

take it back

Not that this is all on Roenis, not by a LONG shot.
Once again, the hitters HAD THEIR CHANCES but,
a TWO-run homer on an 0-2 pitch with TWO outs in the 1st . . . hurts

ON the MOUND
The 1st, as already indicated, didn’t go so well for Roenis . . .
0-2 w/TWO outs and boom! stros lead 2-0
Then in the 2nd, he gave up a solo shot but, settled down and got both Altuve and Gatis to GDIP to end the 2nd and 3rd respectively. He walked one in the 4th but, ended up striking out the side and set them down in order in the 6th
SIX innings ~ SIX hits ~ THREE earned runs ~ THREE walks ~ EIGHT strikeouts

Bully – one good, one not-so good . . . 
} Yoervis pitched a scoreless 7th
} Tyler gave up THREE hits in the 8th including a homer that would ultimately be the winning run

AT the PLATE
the frustration of chances not capitalized continues . . .
~ ONE fer FIVE w/RISP (including stranding LoMo in the 4th after a ONE-out triple)
~ AJ had a nice EIGHT pitch walk in the 3rd, stole 2B and then scored a run on Robbie’s double
~ Nellie and LoMo gave a spark in the 9th w/back-to-back jacks but, too little, too late

IN the FIELD
the DEE was much better . . .
THREE double-plays turned

tweets of the game . . .

some fun minor league notes . . . 

 

g20 | the HAPPiness continues!

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Mariners 2 | Rangers 1

road winners

Nice to have the series in the bag with Felix up next and a decent shot at the first sweep! 🙂

ON the MOUND
Chalk up another QS for JA!
(unfortunately, I didn’t get to see/hear it but, seems like one of his best yet!)
The run he allowed didn’t come until TWO outs in the 7th!
SIX.TWO innings ~ SIX hits ~ ONE earned run ~ ONE walk ~ NINE strikeouts

Bully really rounding into form (now that they’ve had more normal “rest” of late) . . .
} Tyler retired the only batter he faced (to end the 7th)
} Dom was the only reliever not to record an out (allowed a single to the only batter he faced – leading off the 8th)
} Charlie and Yoervis combined to get the THREE outs to end the 8th
} Nando, only needed TEN pitches to set them down 1-2-3 in the 9th for his SIXTH save and JA’s SECOND victory!

AT the PLATE
Only SEVEN total hits . . .
~ THREE for extra bases (Nellie with a double AND a triple and Rickie with a HOMER!)
~ Justin checking in on base TWICE again (TWO singles)

IN the FIELD
Not the best . . .
* another error by Brad
* no DP’s turned but TWO turned against them 😦

tweets of the game . . .

g17| of fielding errors, pitchers walks and general yuckiness . . .

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Mariners 5 | Twins 8

ill

So, I wasn’t feeling well on Saturday and, needless to say, this game did nothing to improve my mental, physical or emotional condition 😦

The offense continues, for the most part to do what should be enough but the defense is totally breaking down which is not helping the already struggling starters not name Felix or Happ.

ON the MOUND
James didn’t get much help early from his defense. who played a big part in the Twins ability to score a run without the benefit of a hit in the 1st (though James’ TWO walks didn’t help matters either). After that, he retired SIX straight before the homer in the 4th but, another walk and an error and a hit in the 5th and that would be it for JP, who had thrown a TON (106) of pitches and ended up with a rather odd line . . .
FOUR.TWO innings ~ FIVE hits ~ FOUR runs ~ ONE earned run ~ THREE walks ~ SEVEN strikeouts

The bullpen didn’t fair any better . .
} Dom, Tyler and Yoervis combined for THREE innings ~ FOUR earned runs ~ TWO walks ~ ONE strikeout
} Lucas faired the best of the bunch (in his 2015 debut, called up when Kuma went on the DL) going TWO.ONE innings and allowing TWO walks and recording TWO strikeouts but ZERO hits or runs

ONE AT the PLATE
Only EIGHT total hits from the offense but, considering that included FOUR doubles and a homer, should have been enough
The Good News . . .
~ Robbie extended his hitting streak to ELEVEN with a solid single in the 1st
~ ONE thru FOUR in the order went 7/17 with FOUR runs and FOUR RBI
The Bad News . . .
~ FIVE thru NINE in the order wnet 1/18 with ONE run and ONE RBI
~ Zu recorded TWO more strikeouts and LoMo continues to hit balls right at people

IN the FIELD
ugh! the errors and blunders are starting to mount . . .
* TWO errors (Kyle and AJ) in the 1st led to bases loaded with only ONE out
* Kyle had another error in the 5th that helped give the Twins the lead they would not reliquish

tweets of the game . . . 

g15 | It’s a HAPPy Day when the arrow flies!

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Mainers 3 | Astros 2

Just what the doctor (er, Lloyd) ordered . . .
A starter pitching into the 8th + just enough OH + solid DEE + #TFRE = M’s WIN!!!

ON the MOUND
Great to see a starter pitching into the 8th
Way to go, JA!
He gave up his hits (including two doubles and a homer) but, he limited the damage and GAVE THEM INNINGS!!!
SEVEN.ONE innings ~ EIGHT hits ~ TWO earned runs ~ ZERO walks ~ FIVE strikeouts

} Yoervis made it a little scary in the 8th after JA got a bunt groundout (fielded himself), YM issued a walk, a fly out, a SB, a walk, a walk and (FINALLY!) a K (whew!)
} Enter the Archer and, thankfully, he had his quiver ready tonight. ‘t was the full FRE (Fernando Rodney Experience): strikeout, single, single, pop-up and groundout and in the end, the arrow flew for Nando’s FOURTH Save and JA’s FIRST victory!

AT the PLATE
Bottom third gettin’ it done tonight!
~ Ack, Brad and Zu were FIVE for NINE with TWO RBI and a run scored (Zu’s homer)

~ LoMo walked and scored ultimately the winning run (Brad’s 4th inning single)
~ Robbie extended his hitting streak to NINE games with a single in the 8th
~ Nellie started another streak (scoring AJ with an RBI single in the 1st, thanks to AJ’s steal of 2nd)

IN the FIELD
* Nellie with another great grab at the wall in the 8th to save an XBH
* Nice DP after JA gave up the homer and a single in the 7th
* JA slides to snare a bunt for the first (and his last) out of 8th

tweets of the game . . . 

 

g13 | hits keep on comin’, starters keep on strugglin’

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Mariners 5 | Astros 7

tired bear

ON the MOUND
Kuma’s struggles continue . . .
TWO doubles, TWO homers and only ONE 1-2-3 inning (the 3rd)
FIVE.ONE innings ~ FIVE hits ~ FOUR earned runs ~ ZERO walks ~ THREE strikeouts

} Medina took over for Kuma in the 5th and promptly allowed an inherited runner to score an unearned runs via Kyle’s error and then a single to score another run
} Charlie was on it: fly out and strikeout to end the 6th (all tied AGAIN at FIVE) and then a strikeout in the 7th
} Danny wasn’t exactly Danny tonight: TWO quick outs to end the 7th but then, a lead-off homer in the 8th and a single and a double to score another making it 5-7 going into the bottom of the 8th
} Carson walked a man in the 9th but escaped damage with a couple of strikeouts and a ground out and still sports 0.00ERA

AT the PLATE
Ducks all OVER the pond early and, while they kept pace with the ‘stros, they should have had more when they had the chance . . .
~ Seth continues to impress: lead-off double in the 2nd and worked a NINE pitch walk in the 3rd
~ Robbie with TWO doubles and TWO runs scored
~ Brad with an RBI single in the 2nd (to tie the game at ONE)
~ Nellie with an RBI single in the 3rd (to tie the game at TWO) and an RBI double in the 5th (to tie the game at THREE)
~ Kyle with an RBI single in the 5th (to go ahead 4-3) and – a stolen base!
~ Middle of the order 6/12 with THREE RBI and FOUR runs scored
~ Zu with TWO K’s but a sac-fly RBI (to put the M’s ahead 5-3) and a walk (baby steps)
~ LoMo finally had a hit that had eyes 😉
~ To say Austin had a very rough night would be the understatement of the season: 0/5 w/THREE K’s

IN the FIELD
* Another error by the GG’er at 3B (TWO in TWO games – won’t happen often)
* Nice running basket catch by Cruz in the 7th
* nice DP to end the 8th (Robbie-Brad-LoMo)
* nice diving play to rob Houston of a lead-off base hit in the 9th

tweets of the game . . . 

g12 | first HOME series VICTORY!!!

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Mariners 11 | Rangers 10

roller coaster

Talk about a roller coaster (and Nando wasn’t even in the game!)
– Up 2-0 after 1st
Down 2-7 going to bottom 3rd
– Chippin’ away, still down 5-7 after 3rd
Down 5-10 after 6th
– Chippin’ away, still down 6-10 after 7
Chippin’ away, new game 9-10 after 8

WALK-OFF WIN . . . 11-10 🙂 🙂 🙂

ON the MOUND
Not James’ afternoon . . .
though, to be fair, that 3rd inning wasn’t all his fault (only TWO of the SEVEN runs were earned)
TWO.TWO innings ~ NINE hits ~ SEVEN runs ~ TWO earned runs ~ ZERO walks ~ ONE strikeout

} Tyler started out pretty well – got the last out of the 3rd for James, struck out Prince (TWICE!) and, despite a walk and a HBP, posted a scoreless 4th AND 5th. But, he allowed THREE runs in the 6th on a lead-off double, and IBB and a single (and a single and an RBI ground out via Carson’s outing)
} Dom had a nice (maybe over-looked) outing: TWO hitless/scoreless innings with a walk and a strikeout
} Yoervis allowed a hit, a walk and recorded a strikeout but NO runs in the 9th

AT the PLATE
SEVENTEEN hits – only FOUR for extra-bases . . .
~ ONE double (Robbie) and THREE homers (Austin and Nellie)
~ Homers in Cream = Austin’s first this season, Nellie’s seventh AND eighth (now leads the majors!)

How ’bout THIS for a middle of the order?!?
NINE for FIFTEEN with FOUR runs, FOUR walks and NINE RBI

Really great to see the lead-off guy on base FOUR times . . .
Austin had the lead-off homer but, also drew a walk and another couple of hits (including an RBI to tie the game in the 9th)

And, they were able to grind out AB’s in the 8th and 9th . . .
~ SIX walks – including ONE IBB to Robbie (when has THAT ever happened?!?) and FOUR singles recorded FIVE runs!
~ Seth pinch hit in the 8th and worked walks in BOTH the 8th and the 9th and scored BOTH times

IN the FIELD
* Nellie with a nice sliding catch for the first out of the game (continues to prove he’s more than serviceable in RF)
* Nice running grab/throw by Willie at short to end the top of the 6th
* Justin with a great “sun-ball” catch on the track
* Kyle and Willie each with an error (Kyle really making up for his with THREE RBI)

tweets of the game . . . 

https://twitter.com/aaronmgoldsmith/status/589943280558800896

g10 | always a missing piece . . .

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Mariners 1 | Rangers 3

missing piece

So, for the most part on the road trip, we saw decent offense, spotty defense and poor pitching. Tonight was the opposite: great defense, good pitching, very little offense. At least the latter is more familiar – and, maybe why that combination concerns me less. I remain convinced that it’s generally less of a chore to get bats going than it is to get arms right.

We shall see . . .

ON the MOUND
J.A. had another quality start, comparable to his performance in Oakland (where he allowed a couple more hits in less IP but, also didn’t allow an XBH or a BB but, only had one K). So far, I think we’d take J.A.’s performance in his first two starts ALL season long – especially from our “5th” starter 🙂  His line tonight . . .
SEVEN innings ~ FIVE hits ~ TWO earned runs ~ TWO walks~ THREE strikeouts

} Yoervis got a couple of quick outs in the 8th but then allowed a double
} Charlie still sporting a 0.00 ERA but, he walked the only batter he faced tonight 😦
} Dom came in to get the final out in the 8th but then, allowed a lead-off walk in the 9th followed by an over-turned DP (runner out at 2B, runner safe at 1B) and then a WP moved the runner from 2B to 3B who would eventually score on a freaky infield hit that bounce off the 3B bag (if the M’s didn’t have bad luck they’d have no luck 😦 )

AT the PLATE
EIGHT hits but, only ONE for extra bases . . .
Brad led off the 8th with a double and scored on Seth’s sac-fly for the lone M’s run

LoMo continues to be the leader in bad luck . . . 
Line drives right at fielders and now add a sure extra base hit (if not a home run) robbed at the wall in the 9th (by Choo). He plays all out though – had a nice hard slide into 2B to break up a double-play in the 5th (which WOULD have been the Rangers 4th DP turned)

https://twitter.com/SteveSandmeyer/status/589280317585821696

Nellie had THREE singles coming into the 9th when he the came  T  H  I  S   close to extending his streak homer streak to SIX games . . .

IN the FIELD
Credit where credit is due . . .
* Gotta gush about LoMo again. He really is an under-rated first baseman. He had a great snare of a liner and more than one nice stretch at the bag to ensure the out. Here’s hoping he can stay healthy because it’s very apparent he’s capable of saving runs.
* Nellie’s never going to be a gold glove right fielder but, he is at least serviceable (he made a nice play cutting off a line drive with a great throw to keep the runner at 1B). Seems the main concern with him playing the field is more health than competency.
* Austin had a couple of really nice running catches in CF and Kyle had one of those “look what I found” catches of a bullet hit right at him – he was still in a squat position and didn’t have to move a muscle
* Zu, as usual was great BEHIND the plate (yes, we all know he needs to improve AT it) including a great throw to nail a would-be base-stealer at 2B

tweets of the game . . . 

g8 | that one hurt . . .

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Mariners 5 | Dodgers 6

OUCH!

More homers (including Nelson’s FIFTH in FOUR games) can’t overcome strikeouts and pitching woes . . .

burlap tissue

ON the MOUND

Kuma was far from sharp – he threw a TON of pitches (95) and walked WAY too many (not his MO) . . .
FIVE innings ~ SIX hits ~ FOUR runs ~ THREE walks ~ FIVE strikeouts

} Carson posted another “clean-sheet” in his ONE inning of work
} Charlie ran into a bit of trouble, allowing TWO hits without recording an out in the 7th
} Yoervis had a spectacular appearance in the 7th: came in with TWO on, NO out and recorded a strikeout AND a double-play! Then in the 8th: a couple of ground outs, a single and Zu nails a would-be 2B stealer (see IN the FIELD below)
} Nando blew his first save of the season when he allowed back-to-back singles to start the 9th. Then, it appeared they he may pull out a miracle when a fielder’s choice ended with tagging the runner at 3B out. But, what followed was the ultimate BAD FRE: a walk to load the bases and a single (by Howie Kendrick, who else?) that scored TWO. Dodgers win by ONE.

AT the PLATE
and the power surge continues!
~ back-to-back homers in the 1st for Robbie and Nellie made it 3-0 early

wait, there’s more! they can also play small ball . . .
~in the 4th, Willie was HBP, Kuma sacrificed him to 2B and he scored on Rickie’s RBI single
~in the 5th, the M’s loaded the bases via walks and Willie grounded out to score Nellie from 3B

but, the bad news is the TWELVE strikeouts . . .
~ including FOUR for Zu 😦

IN the FIELD
* nice play in the 5th blooper:  over Willie at 1B but, Robbie backing up and tossed easily to Kuma covering at the 1B
* Carson had to pitch to one more batter in the 6th after an errant throw (luckily, it only cost him a few pitches, no runs)
* great throw and catch/tag by Zu and Robbie respectively in the 8th to nail a would-be, base-stealer (but, he was initially called SAFE – Robbie immediately pointed to the dugout because he KNEW he’d tagged the runner on the shoulder before his foot hit the 2B bag:  played challenged, play over-turned)

tweets of the game . . . 

g6 | what (another!) extra inning ride!

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Mariners 8 | Athletics 7 (in 10)

roller coaster

ON the MOUND
Felix’s first road game of the season as well as his first as a 29 year-old was not very “Felix-like” . . .
FIVE innings ~ EIGHT hits ~ THREE earned runs ~ TWO walks ~ ONE strikeout
He left with tightness in his right quad (please, please, please, don’t be serious) and, in a VERY rare occurrence, the offense picked him up and he was actually still in line for the WIN going into the 9th . . . that is, until Nando, pitching with a FOUR run lead (so, not a save situation) gave up FOUR runs to send the game to extras and dash Felix’s rare chance to notch a come-from-behind victory 😦

} Danny and Charlie combined for THREE innings of scoreless relief w/TWO hits, NO walks and THREEE strikeouts
} Nando, Nando, Nando (reportedly in without a save opportunity due to BP workload) promptly gave up a a couple of walks and FOUR hits that when all is said and done equate to FOUR earned runs and a tie ball game.
} Thankfully, the ONE reliever they had left ~Yoervis~ came in and retired THREE straight A’s to earn the SAVE and Nando gets the WIN (in what world does that make sense?!?!)

AT the PLATE
Considering the M’s first base-runner didn’t come until Kyle reached on a fielding error in the 5th and their first and second hits didn’t come until the 6th (when they were already down THREE-zip) when Ack and Zu got back-to-back singles, they certainly made up for lost time nicely . . .
~ in the 6th, after being no-hit thru FIVE, they scored FOUR runs in the 6th (via sac fly, A’s fielding error and Kyle single)
~ in the 7th, with TWO on, Rickie delivered BIG TIME, with a THREE-run, pinch-hit homer (his first as a Mariner)

~ in the 10th, Nelson comes up HUGE with a TWO-out, solo shot that regained the lead for the M’s

IN the FIELD
some pretty spiffy DEE this afternoon . . .
* LoMo fielded a slow roller to Zu at home who was able to nail the runner at the plate

* Zu made a great catch of a foul ball and then was able to fire at Felix covering 1B who stretched to get the out to complete the 2-1 double-play!

* except in the 4th when the A’s scored TWO – a ball got by Austin in shallow center, a run scored and the batter got to 2B and then the A’s got a triple as Nelson fielded but wasn’t able to relay to 3B in time

tweets of the game . . .