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.
This is the type of game you like to see.
The Mariners triumphed over their 'natural rivals' the san Diego Padres 7-4. The game had a little bit of everything: Jose Lopez hitting a home run on a 3-1 pitch in the third inning; Washburn with a solid effort, 102 pitches in six innings, dead arm or no; and a brilliant strike thrown by Ichiro to Johjima to complete a rare 8-3 double play, with Johjima tagging out a barreling Josh Barfield who attempted to score on a sacrifice fly.
Lopez also continued to make his case that he is the Mariners' Mr. Clutch by lining a tie-breaking double into right field in the seventh inning. Who knows where the Mariners would be without the bat of Jose Lopez so far this season. He leads AL second basemen in RBIs, and should receive some consideration for the All Star game.
In this game the Mariners exhibited grit, hustle, and a seemingly desire to win ballgames. Their record may be 18-25, but as it appears this year's AL West will be similar to last year's NL West, a division that nobody wants to win, if the Mariners can string together a few more games like this the division will become a lot more interesting.
As every Mariner in the line-up got a hit in last night's game, so did Beltre, who singled to left field in the third inning. By going 1-4, Beltre raised his average to .211. As long he avoids going hitlesss or going 1 for 5, Beltre can only improve his average. Which makes me think of a conundrum. Earlier this year, Jeremy Reed began his season with a 10-game hitting streak, in which he hit .286 with no multiple-hit games. If a player went on a hitting streak and went 1-for-4 in game after game, eventually breaking Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hitting streak, but went 57-for-228 to do so, would such a feat be acclaimed or ignored?
Anyways, tonight the Mariners face Clay Hensley, who was supposed to serve in the Padres' bullpen but is starting due to injuries. This will be the first time the Mariners face Hensley, which gives me a sneaking suspicion that Hensley will throw seven shut-out innings or something similar. We'll see...
The Mariners triumphed over their 'natural rivals' the san Diego Padres 7-4. The game had a little bit of everything: Jose Lopez hitting a home run on a 3-1 pitch in the third inning; Washburn with a solid effort, 102 pitches in six innings, dead arm or no; and a brilliant strike thrown by Ichiro to Johjima to complete a rare 8-3 double play, with Johjima tagging out a barreling Josh Barfield who attempted to score on a sacrifice fly.
Lopez also continued to make his case that he is the Mariners' Mr. Clutch by lining a tie-breaking double into right field in the seventh inning. Who knows where the Mariners would be without the bat of Jose Lopez so far this season. He leads AL second basemen in RBIs, and should receive some consideration for the All Star game.
In this game the Mariners exhibited grit, hustle, and a seemingly desire to win ballgames. Their record may be 18-25, but as it appears this year's AL West will be similar to last year's NL West, a division that nobody wants to win, if the Mariners can string together a few more games like this the division will become a lot more interesting.
As every Mariner in the line-up got a hit in last night's game, so did Beltre, who singled to left field in the third inning. By going 1-4, Beltre raised his average to .211. As long he avoids going hitlesss or going 1 for 5, Beltre can only improve his average. Which makes me think of a conundrum. Earlier this year, Jeremy Reed began his season with a 10-game hitting streak, in which he hit .286 with no multiple-hit games. If a player went on a hitting streak and went 1-for-4 in game after game, eventually breaking Joe Dimaggio's 56-game hitting streak, but went 57-for-228 to do so, would such a feat be acclaimed or ignored?
Anyways, tonight the Mariners face Clay Hensley, who was supposed to serve in the Padres' bullpen but is starting due to injuries. This will be the first time the Mariners face Hensley, which gives me a sneaking suspicion that Hensley will throw seven shut-out innings or something similar. We'll see...
4 Responses to “Jose Lopez = Mr. Clutch?”
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just lucky peavy isn't pitching here
Well, Dan, the mariners may have gotten a break schedule-wise by being able to avoid Peavy, however ifthe Padres are going to be contenders and not pretenders in the NL West, they should be able to wingames with their other starters. Last I checked winning one out of five games will get you somewhere around Kansas City Royals territory.
And Peavy will probably have his latest chance to shut-out the Mariners when they visit San Diego next month.
well, last I checked the friars were one of the hottest teams in baseball coming into the series vs. the m's. Was Peavy the only pitcher winning ballgames? I think not. In fact, he's yet to really hit his stride. It has been the Youngs, Hensleys and Parks that have been carrying the pads so far. And before you say, "well, they certainly did a good job of carrying them this weekend" Lets not forget that they were also one of the hottest teams in MLB last May before coming into the Safe and getting smacked around by our mashers, beltin' beltre included. Except for the game Peavy pitched, in which he was damn near perfect.
So what does all this mean boys and girls? It really is easier to deal with 8 hitters a game than it is to deal with nine. But since the M's don't have nine hitters anyway, I don't know where that leads us.....Pussy ass national leaguers.
well, you pretty much made my point for me. 82 wins aren't going to cut it in the NL West this year, though it might in the AL West. if the Padres can't win one of three from an under-achieving Mariners team, then they have no right being in contention for a title.
it's the end of May? I guess all usefulness for Padres on fantasy baseball teams have come to an end now, huh?