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.
So with the beginning of a new month, Adrian Beltre is trying to put his horrible April behind him and get off on the right foot as he went 3-for-5 in Monday's 8-2 victory over the Twins. Still, no RBIs and only one run (Beltre was denied another as he was thrown out at the plate for the third out of the seventh inning), but you can't complain too much with AB's first three-hit game of the year, thus pushing his batting average up to .211. Which means- for the first time this season, Beltre is averaging a hit every five at-bats!
The most impressive aspect of Beltre's performace yesterday, in my opinion, was his two-out single in the top of the ninth. Sure, it may have not done much, just moved Robert Petagine from first to third, but it was Beltre's first hit in twelve plate appearances with runners on base. And considering that Beltre's sixth-inning double just missed being his second home-run by a couple of feet, could it possibly be that Beltre just might be in the process of breaking out of his slump?
If there's any pitching staff to do so, it's the woeful Twinkies'. I thought the Twins' pitching would be their strength, potentially lead them to contention for the division title. But the hard times they've had of late (not to mention a weak offense) has led me to reconsider. Tomorrow will be a true test for the mariners as they face the always-dangerous Johann Santana. Fortunately for the M's, Santana has been struggling this year (1-3, 4.45). Fortunately for Beltre, he was able to put up a good game agaisnt Santana last year, having gone 1-for-3 with a couple of runs and a couple of ribbies in the one game against Johann.
Of course, the Mariners may be just what Johann needs to get his season going on the right track...
The most impressive aspect of Beltre's performace yesterday, in my opinion, was his two-out single in the top of the ninth. Sure, it may have not done much, just moved Robert Petagine from first to third, but it was Beltre's first hit in twelve plate appearances with runners on base. And considering that Beltre's sixth-inning double just missed being his second home-run by a couple of feet, could it possibly be that Beltre just might be in the process of breaking out of his slump?
If there's any pitching staff to do so, it's the woeful Twinkies'. I thought the Twins' pitching would be their strength, potentially lead them to contention for the division title. But the hard times they've had of late (not to mention a weak offense) has led me to reconsider. Tomorrow will be a true test for the mariners as they face the always-dangerous Johann Santana. Fortunately for the M's, Santana has been struggling this year (1-3, 4.45). Fortunately for Beltre, he was able to put up a good game agaisnt Santana last year, having gone 1-for-3 with a couple of runs and a couple of ribbies in the one game against Johann.
Of course, the Mariners may be just what Johann needs to get his season going on the right track...
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