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.
As expected, the M's weren't able to get much of anything going against Sean Marshall, as the Cubs eked out a 3-2 victory, snapping the mariners' five-game winning streak. Of course, Miguel Batista allowed a season-high five walks in half, and was the victim of an ill-opportune error by Yuniesky Betancourt, who's low throw to Richie Sexson muffed an inning-ending ground ball and allowed two go-ahead unearned runs to score on Mike Fotenont's grounder just out of reach one batter later. If those walks were cut in half, and if the error was avoided, the 3-2 deficit could've been turned into a 2-1 victory. But baseball's not a game of should'ves....
Batista did go seven innings, thus giving an overtaxed mariners bullpen an evening off. Despite his five walks and nine hits allowed, and Yuniesky's error, Batista was the benefit of some inept Cubs bats, as six runners were left on base by various Cubs hitters with two outs. Richie Sexson provided the offensive highlight of the game for the Mariners, connecting on a deep drive in the second inning, his tenth of the season. That coupled with Jose Lopez's RBI ground-out in the sixth was all the Mariners could muster versus Sean Marshall, who walked none and limited the Mariners to seven baserunners in eight innings.
Adrian Beltre didn't make an appearance in the game, and spent the evening in the dugout with his left hand in a splint. According to manager Mike Hargrove, Adrian Beltre will be "shut down" for the next few games, meaning that Beltre's bat will not be able to enjoy the hitting-friendly environs of Minute maid Park in Houston. Perhaps Beltre's current sub, Willie Bloomquist, may receive an offensive boost while picking up a few starts against the Astros. Not likely.
Beltre's injury and the Mariners' refusal to put him on the DL is cause for concern. They don't want to put Beltre on the disabled list as they beleive recovery from the injury wouldn't take a length of time necessary to go on the DL. However, Beltre is currently unable to swing a bat, and if they rush Beltre back into the line-up without giving the wrist a chance to fully recover from injury, Beltre- who was on an offensive tear before rolling his wrist- may have his wing affected by attempting to favor his wrist, and this may even do more damage, both physically and mentally. I'd suggest putting him on the DL, just to give him time to return to the line-up as a healthy and productive Beltre. Plus, it would also free up a roster spot to bring in another arm for the over-used bullpen.
Today's game features Jeff "The Deceiver" Weaver against the Cubs' Jason Marquis, former teammates on last year's World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Marquis has been having a brilliant season for the Cubbies, with a 5-3 record and a 3.01 ERA. Weaver, of course, has had pretty much the opposite for the Mariners, as he's still winless and his an ERA over 12 one-third of the way through the season. In his only career start versus the Mariners, Marquis allowed one run on four hits through six innings. Both Jose Vidro and Adrian Beltre- who will not be batting at all, of course- have hit home runs against Marquis, but the rest of the Mariners' line-up has little to show in their match-ups against Jason. Jeff Weaver's biggest nemesis in the Cubs' line-up is Jacque Jones, who has hit .310 (9-for29) with four extra-bases for an .892 OPS against Weaver. On the other hand, Derek Lee has been hitless in six at-bats versus Weaver.
For the Mariners' to be able to win two of three as I predicted going into this series, Weaver is going to have to be on top of his game, providing his best start of the season. He pitched somewhat respectfully in his last start against San Diego, before leaving with tightness in his back. If he's pitching well, he should avoid doing anything to aggravate his back, such as bunting every time up regardless of the situation and jogging to first. But having Weaver pitch effectively seems like a pipe-dream and Mariners fans should maybe feel lucky that this game is radio-only so the horror won't be televised. My prediction that the M's would take two of three seems short-sighted (it was predicated that this game would be the one that was dropped) as I'm sure the Cubs will come out as victors in this one 8-2.
Batista did go seven innings, thus giving an overtaxed mariners bullpen an evening off. Despite his five walks and nine hits allowed, and Yuniesky's error, Batista was the benefit of some inept Cubs bats, as six runners were left on base by various Cubs hitters with two outs. Richie Sexson provided the offensive highlight of the game for the Mariners, connecting on a deep drive in the second inning, his tenth of the season. That coupled with Jose Lopez's RBI ground-out in the sixth was all the Mariners could muster versus Sean Marshall, who walked none and limited the Mariners to seven baserunners in eight innings.
Adrian Beltre didn't make an appearance in the game, and spent the evening in the dugout with his left hand in a splint. According to manager Mike Hargrove, Adrian Beltre will be "shut down" for the next few games, meaning that Beltre's bat will not be able to enjoy the hitting-friendly environs of Minute maid Park in Houston. Perhaps Beltre's current sub, Willie Bloomquist, may receive an offensive boost while picking up a few starts against the Astros. Not likely.
Beltre's injury and the Mariners' refusal to put him on the DL is cause for concern. They don't want to put Beltre on the disabled list as they beleive recovery from the injury wouldn't take a length of time necessary to go on the DL. However, Beltre is currently unable to swing a bat, and if they rush Beltre back into the line-up without giving the wrist a chance to fully recover from injury, Beltre- who was on an offensive tear before rolling his wrist- may have his wing affected by attempting to favor his wrist, and this may even do more damage, both physically and mentally. I'd suggest putting him on the DL, just to give him time to return to the line-up as a healthy and productive Beltre. Plus, it would also free up a roster spot to bring in another arm for the over-used bullpen.
Today's game features Jeff "The Deceiver" Weaver against the Cubs' Jason Marquis, former teammates on last year's World Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Marquis has been having a brilliant season for the Cubbies, with a 5-3 record and a 3.01 ERA. Weaver, of course, has had pretty much the opposite for the Mariners, as he's still winless and his an ERA over 12 one-third of the way through the season. In his only career start versus the Mariners, Marquis allowed one run on four hits through six innings. Both Jose Vidro and Adrian Beltre- who will not be batting at all, of course- have hit home runs against Marquis, but the rest of the Mariners' line-up has little to show in their match-ups against Jason. Jeff Weaver's biggest nemesis in the Cubs' line-up is Jacque Jones, who has hit .310 (9-for29) with four extra-bases for an .892 OPS against Weaver. On the other hand, Derek Lee has been hitless in six at-bats versus Weaver.
For the Mariners' to be able to win two of three as I predicted going into this series, Weaver is going to have to be on top of his game, providing his best start of the season. He pitched somewhat respectfully in his last start against San Diego, before leaving with tightness in his back. If he's pitching well, he should avoid doing anything to aggravate his back, such as bunting every time up regardless of the situation and jogging to first. But having Weaver pitch effectively seems like a pipe-dream and Mariners fans should maybe feel lucky that this game is radio-only so the horror won't be televised. My prediction that the M's would take two of three seems short-sighted (it was predicated that this game would be the one that was dropped) as I'm sure the Cubs will come out as victors in this one 8-2.
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