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.
We needed this.
With Felix on the DL missing two starts (though throwing pain-free on the side, thankfully enough); the 3 thru 5 starters turning out to be nothing but meatballs serving up, well, meatballs; six postponements due to weather interrupting three road series (retractable roofs- look into 'em); not to mention the ineptitude exhibited at the hands of the Oakland Athletics, including a ten-game losing streak at McAfee Coliseum, for Jarrod to step up and pitch the way he did in last night's ballgame was huge. Against Joe "Freaking" Blanton, no less, who Jarrod came out on top over in a pitcher's duel. In a start that featured complete games offered by both starting pitchers, Washburn tossed 104 pitches, 72 of which went for strikes, and allowed only three hits. Blanton was just as typically dominating, throwing 105 pitches- 71 went for strikes- but only two were needed to insure he'd come out on the losing end of this match-up. Those were the two seats deposited into the stands by Jose Guillen and Kenji Johjima, the only hits needed to win the ballgame.
So, again, hats off Jarrod! And don't look now, but the Mariners have been able to string together a couple of wins back-to-back!
Will the M's be able to continue the winning in this afternoon's ballgame, even possibly- gasp!- sweep a two-game series in Oakland? It's definitely possible. They're facing Joe Kennedy for the A's who, prior to last night's loss taken by Blanton, was the last Oakland starter beat by the Mariners in Oakland- way back in 2005. Still, Kennedy holds a career 1.77 ERA versus the M's in eleven appearances- only four of which have been starts. And despite his 0-2 record on the year, three of his four starts have gone at least five innings and only given up one earned run, which exhibits a lack of offensive support from the A's bats. Though some Mariners have enjoyed success against Kennedy (Vidro with two home runs in six at-bats; Sexson with a 1.045 OPS in 11 at-bats; Ichiro batting .313 in 16 at-bats) the one Mariner batter who's struggled against Kennedy is Adrian Beltre, who's only picked up one hit (a home run) in fourteen career at-bats versus the left-hander.
The Mariners are entrusting their fledgling winning streak to Miguel Batista, who I don't need to remind anybody was absolutely horrible in his last start, allowing six hits and ten runs over six innings. However, he had a similar start in his first outing (against the A's), and followed that with a start in which he allowed three runs in six innings. So let's see if Batista can bounce back from last week's start versus the Angels. Unfortunately, Batista's career record versus the A's (2-3 record wit ha 6.62 ERA) doesn't bode well for any potential dominance in today's game. Though Batista may only have allowed two home runs in his career to the A's (neither of both players currently play for Oakland) and the one current Athletic who has given him the most trouble, Mark Kotsay, is on the DL, he has been given trouble by such pesky hitters as Jason Kendall (hitting .360 in 25 at-bats), Mike Piazza (.292 in 24 at-bats), and Eric Chavez (.417 in 12 at-bats). Look for those same players to give Batista a hard time again this afternoon.
My feelings towards a potential sweep aren't very optimistic with Batista on the mound. My prediction on the final score: 6-3, Athletics.
With Felix on the DL missing two starts (though throwing pain-free on the side, thankfully enough); the 3 thru 5 starters turning out to be nothing but meatballs serving up, well, meatballs; six postponements due to weather interrupting three road series (retractable roofs- look into 'em); not to mention the ineptitude exhibited at the hands of the Oakland Athletics, including a ten-game losing streak at McAfee Coliseum, for Jarrod to step up and pitch the way he did in last night's ballgame was huge. Against Joe "Freaking" Blanton, no less, who Jarrod came out on top over in a pitcher's duel. In a start that featured complete games offered by both starting pitchers, Washburn tossed 104 pitches, 72 of which went for strikes, and allowed only three hits. Blanton was just as typically dominating, throwing 105 pitches- 71 went for strikes- but only two were needed to insure he'd come out on the losing end of this match-up. Those were the two seats deposited into the stands by Jose Guillen and Kenji Johjima, the only hits needed to win the ballgame.
So, again, hats off Jarrod! And don't look now, but the Mariners have been able to string together a couple of wins back-to-back!
Will the M's be able to continue the winning in this afternoon's ballgame, even possibly- gasp!- sweep a two-game series in Oakland? It's definitely possible. They're facing Joe Kennedy for the A's who, prior to last night's loss taken by Blanton, was the last Oakland starter beat by the Mariners in Oakland- way back in 2005. Still, Kennedy holds a career 1.77 ERA versus the M's in eleven appearances- only four of which have been starts. And despite his 0-2 record on the year, three of his four starts have gone at least five innings and only given up one earned run, which exhibits a lack of offensive support from the A's bats. Though some Mariners have enjoyed success against Kennedy (Vidro with two home runs in six at-bats; Sexson with a 1.045 OPS in 11 at-bats; Ichiro batting .313 in 16 at-bats) the one Mariner batter who's struggled against Kennedy is Adrian Beltre, who's only picked up one hit (a home run) in fourteen career at-bats versus the left-hander.
The Mariners are entrusting their fledgling winning streak to Miguel Batista, who I don't need to remind anybody was absolutely horrible in his last start, allowing six hits and ten runs over six innings. However, he had a similar start in his first outing (against the A's), and followed that with a start in which he allowed three runs in six innings. So let's see if Batista can bounce back from last week's start versus the Angels. Unfortunately, Batista's career record versus the A's (2-3 record wit ha 6.62 ERA) doesn't bode well for any potential dominance in today's game. Though Batista may only have allowed two home runs in his career to the A's (neither of both players currently play for Oakland) and the one current Athletic who has given him the most trouble, Mark Kotsay, is on the DL, he has been given trouble by such pesky hitters as Jason Kendall (hitting .360 in 25 at-bats), Mike Piazza (.292 in 24 at-bats), and Eric Chavez (.417 in 12 at-bats). Look for those same players to give Batista a hard time again this afternoon.
My feelings towards a potential sweep aren't very optimistic with Batista on the mound. My prediction on the final score: 6-3, Athletics.
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