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.
When Nick Swisher hit his first-inning home run off Felix Hernandez in yesterday's game, I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach: Here we go again. But in the third-inning, Adrian Beltre's bases-clearing double inside the third base line reminds me why I heart (love) the M's third baseman. Couple that game-turning hit with Jose Guillen's mammoth two-run shot in the fourth and you have the makings of a 7-1 Seattle victory. Swisher's third home run in four at-bats was all the A's could manage off Felix "A's Killer" Hernandez- which was just the first run scored by the A's off Felix in 23 innings this season.
So the seven-game losing streak monkey is off the Mariners back as they find themselves back on the positive side of the win-loss ledger. They continue to remain four games behind the Angels, and with the Yankees dropping their game against Baltimore yesterday, the M's are a game ahead of the Yankees in the Wild Card chase, four games behind Cleveland.
The M's will attempt to gain some ground in this afternoon's game, facing the A's Chad Gaudin. Gaudin got off to a great start this season, but like the rest of the A's team has struggled since the All-Star break. In his last three starts, Gaudin has allowed five runs, and hasn't lasted more than six innings in either of them. Granted, the last time Gaudin faced the M's, he allowed two runs over 7.2 innings in a 3-2 victory. But that was a month ago, when Gaudin was pitching well. Gaudin carries a 4.85 career ERA against the M's into this game, unbeaten in two decisions. Raul Ibanez, who has five htis in twleve career at-bats, may be bale to break out of his recent slump against Gaudin, while Richie Sexson has the only M's homer off the right-hander from Louisiana.
Gaudin's opponent on the mound this afternoon is Horacio Ramirez, making just his third start after spending nearly two months on the DL. Ramirez has been unstoppable at Safeco Field this year, unbeaten in five starts, with a 2.27 ERA. Although Ramirez holds a career 7.59 ERA against Oakland, he alos holds a 1-0 record against the A's. Both Mike Piazza and Eric Chavez have hit Horacio hard, but considering that the slumping Chavez has been given sparse playing time all Horacio needs to do is keep the ball away from Piazza. Chavez's replacement at third- Marco Scutaro- is hitless in five career at-bats against Horacio.
I call the M's to pick up anotehr win, as momentum has swung their way with the strong showings of Felix and Guillen in yesterday's game. Today's game may not resemble a pitching duel, but the M's will come out on top, 8-5.
So the seven-game losing streak monkey is off the Mariners back as they find themselves back on the positive side of the win-loss ledger. They continue to remain four games behind the Angels, and with the Yankees dropping their game against Baltimore yesterday, the M's are a game ahead of the Yankees in the Wild Card chase, four games behind Cleveland.
The M's will attempt to gain some ground in this afternoon's game, facing the A's Chad Gaudin. Gaudin got off to a great start this season, but like the rest of the A's team has struggled since the All-Star break. In his last three starts, Gaudin has allowed five runs, and hasn't lasted more than six innings in either of them. Granted, the last time Gaudin faced the M's, he allowed two runs over 7.2 innings in a 3-2 victory. But that was a month ago, when Gaudin was pitching well. Gaudin carries a 4.85 career ERA against the M's into this game, unbeaten in two decisions. Raul Ibanez, who has five htis in twleve career at-bats, may be bale to break out of his recent slump against Gaudin, while Richie Sexson has the only M's homer off the right-hander from Louisiana.
Gaudin's opponent on the mound this afternoon is Horacio Ramirez, making just his third start after spending nearly two months on the DL. Ramirez has been unstoppable at Safeco Field this year, unbeaten in five starts, with a 2.27 ERA. Although Ramirez holds a career 7.59 ERA against Oakland, he alos holds a 1-0 record against the A's. Both Mike Piazza and Eric Chavez have hit Horacio hard, but considering that the slumping Chavez has been given sparse playing time all Horacio needs to do is keep the ball away from Piazza. Chavez's replacement at third- Marco Scutaro- is hitless in five career at-bats against Horacio.
I call the M's to pick up anotehr win, as momentum has swung their way with the strong showings of Felix and Guillen in yesterday's game. Today's game may not resemble a pitching duel, but the M's will come out on top, 8-5.
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