Navigating The Mariners- Game Recap 6/1/09

By Jonathan Shock

June 1, 2009 – Safeco Field, Seattle, WA

Final Score: Baltimore Orioles 1 – Seattle Mariners 0

The Mariners are really struggling offensively. Despite Ichiro extending his hit streak to 25 games, the M’s are averaging just 3.87 runs per game. The last time the Mariners were that anemic, was before I was born. 1983, when they averaged just 3.44 runs a game. Coincidentally, (or maybe not so coincidentally) that happens to also be the last time the Mariners lost 100 games. Before last year.

The Mariners were held scoreless by Rich Hill (Who?). Last start, Rich Hill allowed 6 runs on 6 hits in 3 innings. The Orioles acquired him in February for the infamous Player To Be Named Later. Tonight, against the Mariners, Rich Hill was transformed into a Pitching Machine. And not the kind that you wheel out during BP to warm up the hitters.

Rich Hill held the Mariners scoreless in 7 innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 7. That’s right, hurry up and pick him up in your ESPN Fantasy League. He’s only owned in 1.5% of leagues. Most likely the rough and tumble “AL Spot Starters Acquired for Players To Be Named Later” League.

How the Mariners are managing to play just under .500 ball is really just a testament to their unbelievable pitching. Jared Washburn, last year’s favorite whipping boy and trade bait, lowers his ERA to 3.20, allowing only 1 run through 7 innings, and walks away with the loss. His last start he pitched 6 innings of shutout ball, and got a no decision. He’s slipping.

Tomorrow’s starter, Eric Bedard, has an ERA in the mid 2s, and hasn’t won more than 3 games.

Ironically, the Mariners best chance to score a run was in the top of the 1st when Ichiro reached third on a throwing error, only to be stranded there by two pop outs and a strike out. No one in the batting order has a nose for RBIs, other than maybe Russell Branyan of all people.

Who can you blame the Mariner’s offensive woes on? Adrian Beltre has to shoulder a lot of the burden. He was signed several years ago to be the Mariners “Big Bat” along with Richie Sexton, and has shown barely more than a glimmer of his potential. Only once as an Mariner has Beltre hit more than 25 home runs, and only once has he hit above .270. Not having him, or anyone else to fill that crucial spot.

If the Mariners were to bring in at least one solid bat, I would have to say they could at least contend in what is shaping up to be a very mediocre AL West. It would be nice to see the Mariners do SOMETHING during the Trade Deadline for once.

The worst part of the whole thing is that Adam Jones is really just what this team needs. A solid bat in the middle of the line up, who can challenge on the base paths and play small ball. But alas, that ship has sailed past home plate in a Orioles uniform. The Mariners lose on a Sac fry from Aubrey Huff. Adam Jones scores the Orioles winning run, and George Sherrill gets the save.

Hopefully Erik Bedard can come back and get the win today to repay the favor.