Two years into a five-year, $64 million contract, Adrian Beltre has produced a .262 average, 44 home runs, and 176 RBIs. However, after the All Star break in 2006, Beltre slugged .552 with a whopping 18 home runs. Does this strong second half bode well for a turn-around in 2007, or will Mariners fans have to deal with 'A-Drain' once again? This blog intends to follow the 2007 season for Adrian Beltre, and the Seattle Mariners, and promises to hold no punches.
The Mariners won today, relying on some clutch base hits and an effective bullpen to best the Orioles 4-3. Not instrumental in that victory was Adrian Beltre, who went 0-for-4 and left six runners on base.
The only part of the game I caught was the fifth inning, in which the Mariners scored three runs to take the lead for good. During that inning, Adrian Beltre came up after Carl Everett's two-run double scored Raul Ibanez and Richie Sexon. Orioles starter Rodrigo Lopez struggled all inning, falling behind on batters throughout. By the time Beltre came to bat, Rodrigo had run up counts of 2 balls, 1 strike to Ichiro (who singled), 0-1 to Jose Lopez (who grounded out, moving Ichiro to third), had Raul Ibanez single on the first pitch to knock in Ichiro, walked Richie Sexson on four straight balls, then had Everett double on a 2-0 count. Point? Rodrigo Lopez was very hittable, not to mention wild. So what does Adrian do? Strike out looking.
But who's really surprised? There was a man on base, after all. Since Beltre's two-run single in the bottom of the eighth last Sunday against Detroit at home, Beltre has spent the week with plenty of opportunities to drive runners in, but unable to do so. He's had eleven such chances, yet not one hit to show for it, with only two RBIs via a ground-out and walk.
So Beltre snapped his 80-some homerless at-bat streak yesterday. Now he needs to put a stop to this 0-for-11 streak with runners on.
The only part of the game I caught was the fifth inning, in which the Mariners scored three runs to take the lead for good. During that inning, Adrian Beltre came up after Carl Everett's two-run double scored Raul Ibanez and Richie Sexon. Orioles starter Rodrigo Lopez struggled all inning, falling behind on batters throughout. By the time Beltre came to bat, Rodrigo had run up counts of 2 balls, 1 strike to Ichiro (who singled), 0-1 to Jose Lopez (who grounded out, moving Ichiro to third), had Raul Ibanez single on the first pitch to knock in Ichiro, walked Richie Sexson on four straight balls, then had Everett double on a 2-0 count. Point? Rodrigo Lopez was very hittable, not to mention wild. So what does Adrian do? Strike out looking.
But who's really surprised? There was a man on base, after all. Since Beltre's two-run single in the bottom of the eighth last Sunday against Detroit at home, Beltre has spent the week with plenty of opportunities to drive runners in, but unable to do so. He's had eleven such chances, yet not one hit to show for it, with only two RBIs via a ground-out and walk.
So Beltre snapped his 80-some homerless at-bat streak yesterday. Now he needs to put a stop to this 0-for-11 streak with runners on.
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