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.
A day after the ninth inning melt-down in which the Mariners gave up nine runs to the Baltimore Orioles, it was time to turn the tables. The Mariners were the benefit of the big inning against the Orioles yesterday, scoring seven runs in the bottom of the second against the Orioles' Kris Benson. This was the Mariners' biggest inning this season since the, well, the eight run second against the Padres last Sunday.
Could this be a sign that the M's offense is beginning to click on all cylinders?
After Beltre led off the inning by grounding out, the Mariners strung together a walk to Johjima (why is he batting behind Beltre again?), a Mike hargrove-patented bunt single by Jeremy Reed, a two-run double by Yuniesky Betancourt, then an RBI ground-rule double by Ichiro before Jose Lopez struck out forthe second out of the inning. But after only scoring three runs, the Mariners weren't done yet. Raul Ibanez walked, and Benson uncorked a wild pitch, moving the runners up 90 feet. Richie Sexon followed wit ha double- the third of the inning, and the second two-run one. Carl Everett singled, knocking in Sexson, and then Adrian Beltre followed wit ha single, continuing his recent trend of hitting with runners on, even if he wasn't able to knock in Everett. Johjima ended the inning by striking out, but not before seven runs had come in to score.
Perhaps the filing for divorce by his hot wife caused Benson to pitch so poorly. Who knows. But at any rate, the Mariners have had two big innings in the past week, and if they can keep up this trend, then they'll approach .500 and respectability in no time at all.
Beltre's single was his only hit of the game, as he went 1-for-4 with no runs or RBIs. Still, that was what he had done in 4 lifetime at-bats against Benson, so he was able to continue his "success" and raised his average to .211.
Today the Mariners face Rodrigo Lopez and his 8.07 ERA and 13 homr runs given up in 58 innings so far this year. Beltre has a good record of actual success- not the .250 kind- against Lopez, hitting .294 in 17 at-bats against him with one home run and an .882 OPS. There's a very good chance that the Mariners could put up anotehr big inning against Lopez, and today was the day I predicted Beltre would hit his second hom-run nearly a month ago. Even if he doesn't hit a homer, if the Mariners beat up Lopez, Beltre will more than likely join in this time....
Could this be a sign that the M's offense is beginning to click on all cylinders?
After Beltre led off the inning by grounding out, the Mariners strung together a walk to Johjima (why is he batting behind Beltre again?), a Mike hargrove-patented bunt single by Jeremy Reed, a two-run double by Yuniesky Betancourt, then an RBI ground-rule double by Ichiro before Jose Lopez struck out forthe second out of the inning. But after only scoring three runs, the Mariners weren't done yet. Raul Ibanez walked, and Benson uncorked a wild pitch, moving the runners up 90 feet. Richie Sexon followed wit ha double- the third of the inning, and the second two-run one. Carl Everett singled, knocking in Sexson, and then Adrian Beltre followed wit ha single, continuing his recent trend of hitting with runners on, even if he wasn't able to knock in Everett. Johjima ended the inning by striking out, but not before seven runs had come in to score.
Perhaps the filing for divorce by his hot wife caused Benson to pitch so poorly. Who knows. But at any rate, the Mariners have had two big innings in the past week, and if they can keep up this trend, then they'll approach .500 and respectability in no time at all.
Beltre's single was his only hit of the game, as he went 1-for-4 with no runs or RBIs. Still, that was what he had done in 4 lifetime at-bats against Benson, so he was able to continue his "success" and raised his average to .211.
Today the Mariners face Rodrigo Lopez and his 8.07 ERA and 13 homr runs given up in 58 innings so far this year. Beltre has a good record of actual success- not the .250 kind- against Lopez, hitting .294 in 17 at-bats against him with one home run and an .882 OPS. There's a very good chance that the Mariners could put up anotehr big inning against Lopez, and today was the day I predicted Beltre would hit his second hom-run nearly a month ago. Even if he doesn't hit a homer, if the Mariners beat up Lopez, Beltre will more than likely join in this time....
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You forgot to thank Conine the librarian for giving Betancourt his double. When I heard it on the radio, I figured it was simply a play that his broken down body wasn't able to get to, but upon watching the replay I could only feel pity for the poor Orioles fans who have to put up with that horrid defense. There's no reson he should be in the field if he can't make that play.
But going by the box-scores on this recap, and Yahoo!s play-by-play didn't say anything along the lines of "Betancourt doubles due to the horrific defnse of a broken down Conine who should be shot to be put out of his misery."
It'd be nifty if play-by-plays were more like that. Would be a lot more interesting.
They should shoot him twice