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.
The theme of this past weekend's series against the Yankees was turning the tables on them, getting back at the Yankees for the prior weekend's series in New York. After Darrell Rasner had tossed six shutout innings in his start last weekend, Jarrod Washburn returned the favor by tossing eight against Rasner and the Yankees on Friday night. And after Chien-Meng Wang tossed nearly eight perfect innings against Seattle a week ago Sunday, Horacio Ramirez was had a perfect start against the Yankees in yesterday's game, albeit for only three innings. Still, after 82 pitches in 6.1 innings (50 for strikes) resulting in only six baserunners and one run, Ramirez came out on top with his best start of the season, a 2-1 victory against the mighty Yankee offense. As Borat would say, "Great success!"
As such, I will dispense with the Horror-Arm nickname. At least for this post.
Andy Pettitte pitched well enough to lose, allowing two runs and nine hits in 7.1 innings. But the mariners capitalized on the Yankee mistakes that were made. The first mistake was Alex Rodriguez's throwing error in the third on Jose Vidro's single, allowing Vidro and Ichiro to take another base. Raul Ibanez immediately followed with an RBI single. Jose Guillen- who has been swinging a hot bat in May (.368 average, 1.110 OPS)- led off the fourth with a double just out of reach of centerfielder Johnny Damon's glove. A walk to Beltre (who went hitless in three at-bats to drop his average to .240) and a sacrifice bunt to Yuniesky Betancourt led to Jose Lopez's sacrifice fly for the Mariners' second run. And that's all that Seattle needed.
The Mariners get a rare off day today in their midst of hectic scheduling to make up for the early season poor weather postponements. And then the Angels come to town, with the lead of the division potentially on the line. The M's trail the Angels only by a game and a half, and a strong showing by Seattle could upset the divisional standings by next weekend. Felix Hernandez is looking to get things started tomorrow night in his first return from his stay on the DL, recovering from elbow problems. The plans are to 'baby' Felix and keep him to around 70 pitches in his first game back- as he's put up pretty good numbers against the Angels in his career (2-2 with a 2.64 ERA) it wouldn't be too much a stretch to assume those 70 pitches will be dominating ones!
As such, I will dispense with the Horror-Arm nickname. At least for this post.
Andy Pettitte pitched well enough to lose, allowing two runs and nine hits in 7.1 innings. But the mariners capitalized on the Yankee mistakes that were made. The first mistake was Alex Rodriguez's throwing error in the third on Jose Vidro's single, allowing Vidro and Ichiro to take another base. Raul Ibanez immediately followed with an RBI single. Jose Guillen- who has been swinging a hot bat in May (.368 average, 1.110 OPS)- led off the fourth with a double just out of reach of centerfielder Johnny Damon's glove. A walk to Beltre (who went hitless in three at-bats to drop his average to .240) and a sacrifice bunt to Yuniesky Betancourt led to Jose Lopez's sacrifice fly for the Mariners' second run. And that's all that Seattle needed.
The Mariners get a rare off day today in their midst of hectic scheduling to make up for the early season poor weather postponements. And then the Angels come to town, with the lead of the division potentially on the line. The M's trail the Angels only by a game and a half, and a strong showing by Seattle could upset the divisional standings by next weekend. Felix Hernandez is looking to get things started tomorrow night in his first return from his stay on the DL, recovering from elbow problems. The plans are to 'baby' Felix and keep him to around 70 pitches in his first game back- as he's put up pretty good numbers against the Angels in his career (2-2 with a 2.64 ERA) it wouldn't be too much a stretch to assume those 70 pitches will be dominating ones!
0 Responses to “Horror-Arm's Redemption”
Leave a Reply