The Headline: the Seattle Mariners ride a stagnant offense to a loss, stretching the losing streak to five games.
Seattle Mariners 2, San Diego Padres 6
When: 10:10 ET, Thursday, June 14, 2012
Where: Safeco Field, Seattle
Temperature: 57
Umpires: Home — Paul Emmel, 1B — Scott Barry, 2B — Jerry Meals, 3B — Gary Darling
Attendance: 17,306
Love ‘em
1. Franklin Gutierrez’s ReturnAfter starting the season on the DL, Mariner’s center fielder Franklin Gutierrez made his triumphant return to Safeco Field.
Guti had a pedestrian game, batting 1-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. However, it’s the long term effects that really matter.
Franklin Gutierrez plays one of the best center fields in the game. Whether you’re a fan of old stats or new, all it takes is one game of watching him glide through the outfield to see how special is glove really is. The long term effects of his return will definitely be field by the pitchers, and he makes the games that much more exciting.
2. Bullpen Continues to ImproveThe Mariners bullpen continues to impress. Hisashi Iwakuma, Charlie Furbush, Steve Delabar and Tom Wilhelmsen pitched four strong tonight, with a 7/1 K/BB ratio.
The ‘pen has been flawless this series, not allowing any runs to the Padres. It also marked the ninth scoreless inning for Furbush, who’s really come on as a solid late inning option for the Mariners—evidenced by his 2.70 ERA and 27 Ks.
3. Thing Weren’t WorseThis was a tough game to find three likeable things. That’s how ugly it was. Believe it or not, the game could have been worse.
In the top of the fifth with the bases loaded and two outs, Alexi Amarista smacked a line drive straight to the third and second gap. It would have at least brought in two, if not cleared the bases.
However, for a split second Munenori Kawasaki was possessed by the spirit of Shaq! He leapt into the air, catching the ball just in the uppermost webbing of his glove. Great play by a guy listed at 5’10, and thank goodness the game wasn’t worse than it could have been.
Hate ‘em
1. Flurry of MovesSeattle’s been incredibly active in the last two days. Tuesday, they optioned Alex Liddi and Blake Beavan to the minors. Wednesday, they recalled Gutierrez, Delabar, Erasmo Ramirez and Casper Wells, while sending Mike Carp and Stephen Pryorto the DL.
Munenori Kawasaki was possessed by the spirit of Shaq
The first thing about the moves that stinks is the DL trips. It seems Carp was just coming off the DL, and now he’s back on. It’s been such a struggle for outfielder’s to stay healthy. Stephen Pryor joining him is quite the blow to Seattle’s bullpen, as it was believed he’d soon be taking over the closer role.
The other moves that just don’t make sense are the demotions. Blake Beaven was no ace, but he had his good games and bad games—I’m neutral on this one.
Alex Liddi, however, deserved to stay. He’s a very talented bat who just wasn’t getting enough playing time. When your other options at third are Chone Figgins or Kyle Seager—which implies leaving Brendan Ryan at short—I think he deserves a chance at starting.
2. Erasmo Ramirez StartingWhat is this? Erasmo Ramirez struggled out of the ‘pen, and now the Seattle brass decide he should be starting. Well, Mr. Ramirez was tagged for a pretty 5 earned runs on 8 hits in 5 innings.
Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker and James Paxton are a combined 15-8 with a 2.70 ERA and 9.6 K/9 at AA Jackson. And none of those future aces seemed more deserving of some spot starting time with the Big League club?
Look, at this rate the Mariners probably aren’t pulling this season out of a hate. They have a bright future, and it doesn’t start to give the young prospects a chance here-or-there. And who knows, they might just surprise you.
3. Dead OffenseThe offense was dreadful tonight. The team as a whole was 5-32 with 8 strikeouts and no extra base hits. They’re lucky they found a way to score twice.
This is the disappointing play at home that has plagued the Mariners all season long. They look absolutely dominate on the road, with the bats exploding for runs. Then they return to Safeco and can’t do anything. There’s so much talent here and the fences are just devouring it.
Something’s got to change if this club wants a future as a contender.
NoteBookHere’s the BOXSCORE | and Our Editor “Q” has his RECAP
San Diego is 9-21 on the road after sweeping the Mariners. Seattle went 15 consecutive innings without scoring until Ackley’s seventh-inning RBI.
Padres 3B Chase Headley went hitless in four at-bats as his 10-game hitting streak ended. Mariners CF Franklin Gutierrez went 1-for-2 and reached base three times in his season debut after being sidelined with chest and foot injuries.
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© Jonathan Irwin for North West Sports Beat, 2012. | Permalink | No comment |
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Post tags: Alex Liddi, Alexi Amarista, Blake Beavan, boxscore, Casper Wells, Charlie Furbush, Chone Figgins, Danny Hultzen, Dustin Ackley, Edinson Volquez, Erasmo Ramirez, Eric Wedge, Franklin Gutierrez, Game 3, Game Recap, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton, Love Em Hate Em, Mariners, Mariners blog, Mariners post game, Matchup, Michael Saunders, Mike Carp, MLB, MLB recap, Munenori Kawasaki, Padres vs. Mariners, Safeco Field, San Diego, San Diego Padres, San Diego vs. Seattle, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Mariners Blog, Seattle Mariners blogs, Stats, Stephen Pryor, Steve Delabar, Taijuan Walker, Tom Wilhelmsen
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