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.
Gosh, this series versus the Tigers is about as obvious as a Peantus cartoon in which Lucy is holding a football. Just what do you think is going to happen at the end?
Why did the mariners lose 2-1 tonight? Well, let's take a look at the factors I had pegged in the previous post:
1. After two innings, the Mariners had scored one run, on Raul Ibanez's second-inning home-run that tied the game at 1-1. At that time, as the Mariners had actually scored early on the Tigers' young Zach Miner, their chances to win were good. Or, at least, not bad.
2. However, after three innings some sloppy play in the filed by Yunisky Betancourt took away a double-play ball and gave the Tigers, a team 30 games above .500, an extra chance at-bat, in which they promptly scored a run. Three innings, 2-1 Tigers and Sexson was 0-for-1.
3. In the fourth, Richie Sexson struck out, making him hitless in his first two at-bats. Four innings, one run, and two hitless ABs for Sexson? Why even play the rest of the game out? it was obvious the Tigers would win.
4. Another great start by Washburn versus the AL's best team. That now means in his two starts versus Detroit this season, all Jarrod has done is thrown 14.2 innings, given up 12 hits and 3 earned runs, and has lost both times. In fact, tonight was the sixth time this season the Mariners have scored two or less runs in support of Washburn. I know there are many Mariners fans who feel like the contract given to Jarrod in the off-season was a mistake. I wonder if Jarrod feels the same way?
Tomorrow is the last game of the first half, in which the Mariners can finally end this current putrid streak of playing with a whimper. I can state confidently that the Mariners have no chance in winning tomorrow's ball-game, but I do think the Mariners will have an easier time scoring some runs than they have the past couple of days. Robertson may have a lifetime 2.30 ERA versus the M's, but individual Marienrs have given Robertson fits. Beltre's only hit off him was a home run, Eduardo Perez (who will probably make his Mariners' starting debut in tomorrow's game at DH) has gotten four hits in five career at-bats versus Robertson with a homer and a double, Sexson has homered and doubled in five at-bats, and Ichiro has batted .500 in 14 career at-bats. So, Robertson does have his work cut out for him tomorrow, but I'd be surprised to see him not come away with a victory.
Gil Meche has been flip-flopped for Felix Hernandez, as the M's brain trust is attempting to keep Felix's innings pitched for the season to 200, including the inning s thrown in spring training. Gil owns a 4-3 record and a lifetime 4.35 ERA against the Tigers, but remember folks, those wore the old Tigers, the Tigers with pitchers that lost 21 games and batted Bobby Higginson clean-up. No, these are the new-look, never-say-die Tigers, who with Jim Leyland managing are conjuring up images of the 1984 World Series-winning club. Meche has had little trouble given to him by the current Tigers roster, Dmitri Young is the only current Tiger to have homered off him, and he's not even active never mind batting .169 with no home runs.
So, I don't see a Mariners win, but that may because this losing streak has gotten me cynical. They may surprise me, and all of us, by jumping out to an early lead with first inning home runs by Beltre and Sexson.
Why do I find that entirely unlikely?
Why did the mariners lose 2-1 tonight? Well, let's take a look at the factors I had pegged in the previous post:
1. After two innings, the Mariners had scored one run, on Raul Ibanez's second-inning home-run that tied the game at 1-1. At that time, as the Mariners had actually scored early on the Tigers' young Zach Miner, their chances to win were good. Or, at least, not bad.
2. However, after three innings some sloppy play in the filed by Yunisky Betancourt took away a double-play ball and gave the Tigers, a team 30 games above .500, an extra chance at-bat, in which they promptly scored a run. Three innings, 2-1 Tigers and Sexson was 0-for-1.
3. In the fourth, Richie Sexson struck out, making him hitless in his first two at-bats. Four innings, one run, and two hitless ABs for Sexson? Why even play the rest of the game out? it was obvious the Tigers would win.
4. Another great start by Washburn versus the AL's best team. That now means in his two starts versus Detroit this season, all Jarrod has done is thrown 14.2 innings, given up 12 hits and 3 earned runs, and has lost both times. In fact, tonight was the sixth time this season the Mariners have scored two or less runs in support of Washburn. I know there are many Mariners fans who feel like the contract given to Jarrod in the off-season was a mistake. I wonder if Jarrod feels the same way?
Tomorrow is the last game of the first half, in which the Mariners can finally end this current putrid streak of playing with a whimper. I can state confidently that the Mariners have no chance in winning tomorrow's ball-game, but I do think the Mariners will have an easier time scoring some runs than they have the past couple of days. Robertson may have a lifetime 2.30 ERA versus the M's, but individual Marienrs have given Robertson fits. Beltre's only hit off him was a home run, Eduardo Perez (who will probably make his Mariners' starting debut in tomorrow's game at DH) has gotten four hits in five career at-bats versus Robertson with a homer and a double, Sexson has homered and doubled in five at-bats, and Ichiro has batted .500 in 14 career at-bats. So, Robertson does have his work cut out for him tomorrow, but I'd be surprised to see him not come away with a victory.
Gil Meche has been flip-flopped for Felix Hernandez, as the M's brain trust is attempting to keep Felix's innings pitched for the season to 200, including the inning s thrown in spring training. Gil owns a 4-3 record and a lifetime 4.35 ERA against the Tigers, but remember folks, those wore the old Tigers, the Tigers with pitchers that lost 21 games and batted Bobby Higginson clean-up. No, these are the new-look, never-say-die Tigers, who with Jim Leyland managing are conjuring up images of the 1984 World Series-winning club. Meche has had little trouble given to him by the current Tigers roster, Dmitri Young is the only current Tiger to have homered off him, and he's not even active never mind batting .169 with no home runs.
So, I don't see a Mariners win, but that may because this losing streak has gotten me cynical. They may surprise me, and all of us, by jumping out to an early lead with first inning home runs by Beltre and Sexson.
Why do I find that entirely unlikely?
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