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 I decided to spend this Tuesday evening grilling up some chicken and sitting on my porch listening to the M's game, taking in a beautiful northwest early summer evening. Unfortunately, that meant I had to run to the store to get my fixin's for such an evening, and as I meandered through my local Fred Meyer a few minutes after seven o'clock I heard Adrian Beltre hit a two-run home-run in the top of the first inning of tonight's game versus the Dodgers.
It was the first home run I heard hit by Adrian Beltre all year- in the 72nd game of the year. Finally!
Welcome back to Chavez Ravine, Beltre, as you had the type of game Mariners fans had in our minds when you signed the mammoth contract after the 2004 season. This was AB's line for tonight'sgame: 3-4-2-2, with two walks. That means that not only did Beltre get on base four times, but he scored every time he got on. This was also due to the hitting by Richie Sexson, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Sexson hit a homer, and actually hit two singles (!!!)
Sexson & Beltre get a hit, they win. They get a bunch of hits, they win big. Tonight's final score was 9-4.
And to reach that final score, they had to beat Brad Penny, who had been the ace of the Dodger's staff. Coming into this game, Penny had the 4th best ERa in the national League with 2.49 (1.89 at home and 1.33 in June). Penny ranked in the top 10 in batting average against (.231) and WHIP (1.16). He had only given up three home runs all year, and somehow gave up two to Beltre and Sexson.
This current version of the Mariners could be called "giant killers." The smack-down they gave to Penny came just days after the thrashing they gave to Jason Schmidt last Saturday, roughing him up for six runs in six innings. So first Schmidt, then Penny. As long as the Mariners face pitchers of their ilk and avoid Joe Blanton until September maybe- just maybe- they might have a chance at the division title?
It was nice to finally hear Beltre hit a home run this season. And his four runs tied a career high that he first got in 2001 against the then-Montreal Expos. He finishes the game batting .243- his season high! In the month of May Beltre raised his average 41 points from .189 to .230. Could it be possible that Beltre finishes with a .271 average when June turns into July?
I'll admit, I didn't think the Mariners had a chance against Brad Penny and the Dodgers tonight. I thought they'd score some runs- Beltre likes to face Penny- but I didn't think Joel Pineiro could contain the Dodgers. And, if anyone heard Joel's response to the media after the game, it appears he had read my slamming of him in this blog and it got under his skin. Sorry Joel! Never knew you were so sensitive!
Tomorrow, the M's go up against Chad Billingsley, the Dodgers' version of King Felix. Given as this is Chad's second major league start (he gave up two runs in five innings versus the Padres last Wedensday) there's not much to go on. So let's see what the 2006 Baseball Prosepectus has to say about him. This 6'2" right-hander is a "potential" and "stud" as the BP sums up in two words. Lordy. The Mariners have their work cut out for them tomorrow, as young pitchers tend to give the M's fits.
Nomar was able to touch the Marienrs for three htis tonight, and still they won. So my 'key for the series' was perhaps wrong. It should be pointed out, however, that Nomar has had little success versus Jarrod Washburn, who's taking the hill for the M's tomorrow. Nomar has only gotten three hits in 17 at-bats so far versus Washburn in his career. In fact, the one Dodger that has given Washburn trouble is Olmedo Saenz, who has roughed Washburn up for ten hits in 24 at-bats for a .417 average and 1.184 OPS. If Saenz isn't in the line-up at third tomorrow, then therumor is confirmed: Grady Little has no business managing a major league baseball team.
My guess for tomorrow's game? It'll be unlike tonight's game. Instead of runs scored early, I think the two pitchers will duel each other in a low-scoring battle. The winner? Er, uh, um.... it really could just go either way. So I'm not calling it.
Instead, I'm ending this blog post by asking the follwoing question. What would bewrose tonight, being a St. louis Cardinal fan, or being Kobe Bryant?
It was the first home run I heard hit by Adrian Beltre all year- in the 72nd game of the year. Finally!
Welcome back to Chavez Ravine, Beltre, as you had the type of game Mariners fans had in our minds when you signed the mammoth contract after the 2004 season. This was AB's line for tonight'sgame: 3-4-2-2, with two walks. That means that not only did Beltre get on base four times, but he scored every time he got on. This was also due to the hitting by Richie Sexson, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Sexson hit a homer, and actually hit two singles (!!!)
Sexson & Beltre get a hit, they win. They get a bunch of hits, they win big. Tonight's final score was 9-4.
And to reach that final score, they had to beat Brad Penny, who had been the ace of the Dodger's staff. Coming into this game, Penny had the 4th best ERa in the national League with 2.49 (1.89 at home and 1.33 in June). Penny ranked in the top 10 in batting average against (.231) and WHIP (1.16). He had only given up three home runs all year, and somehow gave up two to Beltre and Sexson.
This current version of the Mariners could be called "giant killers." The smack-down they gave to Penny came just days after the thrashing they gave to Jason Schmidt last Saturday, roughing him up for six runs in six innings. So first Schmidt, then Penny. As long as the Mariners face pitchers of their ilk and avoid Joe Blanton until September maybe- just maybe- they might have a chance at the division title?
It was nice to finally hear Beltre hit a home run this season. And his four runs tied a career high that he first got in 2001 against the then-Montreal Expos. He finishes the game batting .243- his season high! In the month of May Beltre raised his average 41 points from .189 to .230. Could it be possible that Beltre finishes with a .271 average when June turns into July?
I'll admit, I didn't think the Mariners had a chance against Brad Penny and the Dodgers tonight. I thought they'd score some runs- Beltre likes to face Penny- but I didn't think Joel Pineiro could contain the Dodgers. And, if anyone heard Joel's response to the media after the game, it appears he had read my slamming of him in this blog and it got under his skin. Sorry Joel! Never knew you were so sensitive!
Tomorrow, the M's go up against Chad Billingsley, the Dodgers' version of King Felix. Given as this is Chad's second major league start (he gave up two runs in five innings versus the Padres last Wedensday) there's not much to go on. So let's see what the 2006 Baseball Prosepectus has to say about him. This 6'2" right-hander is a "potential" and "stud" as the BP sums up in two words. Lordy. The Mariners have their work cut out for them tomorrow, as young pitchers tend to give the M's fits.
Nomar was able to touch the Marienrs for three htis tonight, and still they won. So my 'key for the series' was perhaps wrong. It should be pointed out, however, that Nomar has had little success versus Jarrod Washburn, who's taking the hill for the M's tomorrow. Nomar has only gotten three hits in 17 at-bats so far versus Washburn in his career. In fact, the one Dodger that has given Washburn trouble is Olmedo Saenz, who has roughed Washburn up for ten hits in 24 at-bats for a .417 average and 1.184 OPS. If Saenz isn't in the line-up at third tomorrow, then therumor is confirmed: Grady Little has no business managing a major league baseball team.
My guess for tomorrow's game? It'll be unlike tonight's game. Instead of runs scored early, I think the two pitchers will duel each other in a low-scoring battle. The winner? Er, uh, um.... it really could just go either way. So I'm not calling it.
Instead, I'm ending this blog post by asking the follwoing question. What would bewrose tonight, being a St. louis Cardinal fan, or being Kobe Bryant?
0 Responses to “Finally! (Four freaking runs?)”
Leave a Reply