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.



Welcome Back Felix!


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Holy blowout Batman!

Was that really the same Kelvim Escobar in last night's game? The one who had allowed one run over his last two starts coming in? And his most recent start a seven-hit shutout of the Cleveland Indians? Well, the Mariners made him look absolutely Jeff Weaverish as they jumped all over his offerings, hitting practically everything he threw at them for an early three-run lead in the first inning, on their way to an eventual 11-3 victory.

In fact, with their sloppy defensive play and multiple wild pitches, the Los Angeles Angels as a team didn't appear remotely close to a first-place club. And if they continue to play in a similar manner, they won't be. By slapping the Angels silly, Three Stooges-style in last night's ballgame, the Mariners have brought themselves within one game of first place in the division!

The big story of last night's game, however, was the return of King Felix on the mound. It may not have been a spectacular outing by Felix, who struggled with his command throughout the evening, but he was able to tap his dominating fastball when he needed, striking out five batters in just under four innings of work. Of the seven hits against him, most were infield hits and only two were hit hard. Still, three times he went to full counts against batters, and as he was on a strict 80-pitch limit, chances of him sticking around long enough for a victory when he was throwing 42% balls were pretty slim. As a result of his early departure, Sean White was able to pick up his first major league victory with 4.1 strong innings of scoreless relief, throwing just 39 pitches as he just mowed down the Angels. new arrival Jason Davis finished off the game by tossing the ninth, allowing a ground rule double to Tommy Murphy, but that was it.

With a bullpen like the M's have, little wonder they are challenging the Angels for the division lead!

Beltre went 1-for-5, as his batting average continues to drop south, now standing at .239. The M's offensive attack was led by Ichiro, who picked up five basehits in a game for the sixth time in his career. Jose Guillen continued to wield his hot bat for May, going 2-for-4, with a double and picking up two RBIs. Both Jose Lopez and Kenji Johjima hit their fifth home runs of the season, Lopez's capping the six-run explosion in the fifth.

All around solid play by our boys in teal & navy blue!

Cha Seung Baek should feel no pressure, regardless of the fact that the chances of the team clinching a tie for the division rests on his shoulders. Hopefully Baek can channel the ability that led him to stymie a division leader in his last performance, in which he held the Tigers to two runs in a dominant complete game performance. The Mariners' starters' streak of good start-bad start seems to be momentarily uninterrupted by Felix's brief outing. So let's see if Baek can shake of any of that mojo and deliver anotehr quality performance. Baek does have one career outing against the Angels, however, a rocky performance in which he allowed five runs over seven innings. Garret Anderson (home run) and Vladimir Guerrero (double) have both touched Baek for extra-base hits, but Baek has kept Figgins and Kotchman combined hitless in ten at-bats.

And the Mariners are going to have to repeat their offensive performance with John Lackey as they did against Escobar. Lackey has some tough career numbers against the M's (6-8, 4.86 ERA) and has had trouble getting Raul Ibanez (.361 in 36 at-bats) and Ichiro (.295 in 61) out. Though he has struggled so far this season- hitting a lowly .176- Richie Sexson has been hitting the ball hard for his outs, and facing lackey just may be what he needs to break out of his offensive slump as he enjoys good power numbers against Lackey (.429 average, 1.310 OPS, two homer runs and ten RBIs). Beltre, however, is hitting just .233 in 30 at-bats against Lackey.

There will definitely be some runs scored in tonight's game. I doubt either team will score double digits, but it will surely be no pitching match-up. And with the momentum going on their side, I'll have to give the nod to the M's ,as they will tie for the division lead with an 8-6 victory.

Not bad for a time that was 5-9 after their first fourteen games, huh?

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