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Seattle Mariners
2008-05-02 12:51
by Cliff Corcoran

Seattle Mariners

2007 Record: 88-74 (.543)
2007 Pythagorean Record: 79-83 (.488)

Manager: John McLaren
General Manager: Bill Bavasi

Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Safeco Park (96/96)

Who's Replacing Whom:

Wladimir Balentien replaces Jose Guillen
Miguel Cairo replaces Ben Broussard
Jeff Clement replaces . . . TBA
Erik Bedard replaces Jeff Weaver
Carlos Silva replaces Horacio Ramirez and Ryan Feierabend (minors)
Mark Lowe replaces Eric O'Flaherty (minors)
Arthur Rhodes replaces George Sherrill

25-man Roster:

1B - Richie Sexson (R)
2B - Jose Lopez (R)
SS - Yuniesky Betancourt (R)
3B - Adrian Beltre (R)
C - Kenji Johjima (R)
RF - Wladimir Balentien (R)
CF - Ichiro Suzuki (L)
LF - Raul Ibañez (L)
DH - Jose Vidro (S)

Bench:

R - Willie Bloomquist (UT)
R - Miguel Cairo (IF)
L - Jeff Clement (C)
R - Jamie Burke (C)

Rotation:

L - Erik Bedard
R - Felix Hernandez
R - Carlos Silva
L - Jarrod Washburn
R - Miguel Batista

Bullpen:

R - J.J. Putz
L - Ryan Rowland-Smith
R - Mark Lowe
R - Sean Green
R - Cha Seung Baek
L - Arthur Rhodes
R - Brandon Morrow

15-day DL: R - Mike Morse (UT), R - Anderson Garcia

Typical Lineup:

L - Ichiro Suzuki (CF)
R - Jose Lopez (2B)
L - Raul Ibañez (LF)
R - Adrian Beltre (3B)
S - Jose Vidro (DH)
R - Richie Sexson (1B)
R - Kenji Johjima (C)
R - Wladimir Balentien (RF)
R - Yuniesky Betancourt (SS)

The Mariners and Tigers both won 88 games last year, missing the playoffs only because of late-season collapses. For the Mariners, that collapse came all at once as they lost 13 of 14 starting on August 25 to go from one game back in the West to a whopping nine games out and a three-game lead over the Yankees in the Wild Card race to five games out behind the Yankees and second-place Tigers.

Both teams then made win-now trades over the winter, trading top prospects for established stars in the hope of getting over the hump this season. For the Mariners, that big trade sent rookie outfielder Adam Jones, dominant lefty reliever George Sherrill, and a trio of pitching prospects to the Orioles for lefty ace Erik Bedard (see my Orioles preview for more on that trade).

There was one important difference between the two teams, however. The Tigers were a good team that took an unfortunate stumble. The Mariners were a poor team whose luck ran out.

As discussed in my Tigers preview, Detroit's collapse came when its young rotation faltered in August. When the season was over, the team had underperformed its 90-72 Pythagorean record by two games and had reason to believe that those young starters would rebound the following season. Add in the upgrades the team made through those win-now trades, and a 2008 playoff appearance became, and remains, a very reasonable expectation.

The Mariners, on the other hand, overachieved all year leading up to their August collapse, something I wrote about in detail for SI.com's Fungoes blog. Though their collapse also had a lot to do with poor pitching, it was more of a correction. Even with that stumble, the Mariners finished a whopping eight games above their Pythagorean record as they finished the year having allowed more runs than they scored. As I wrote in that Fungoes article, a lot of that success had to do with the spectacular work of their end-game tandem of closer J.J. Putz and LOOGY George Sherrill. In their rotation, only Felix Hernandez was above average on the season, and at the plate, only four Mariners had an OPS+ above 109. During the offseason, one of those four hitters, right fielder Jose Guillen, left as a free agent, and Sherrill was shipped off in the Bedard deal. The result is not a 90-win, or even an 88-win team that has reloaded for a run at the playoffs, but a 79-win team that broke even.

After sweeping the Yankees, the 14-15 Tigers are just one game better than the 13-16 Mariners, but the Tigers, after a poor start, have won 12 of their last 17 and are only a game and a half behind in their division. The Mariners, meanwhile, have won just one of their last four series (going 4-8 over that span) and are 4.5 games behind the AL-best Angels and A's.

What I'm trying to say is the Mariners aren't a good team, and they haven't gotten better despite trading away their future.

That isn't a slight on Bedard, who starts tonight, but the lefty is no kid. He's a late-blooming 29-year-old who finished last season on the disabled list with an oblique strain and has already taken one turn on the DL this year due to inflammation in his left hip. As a result, Bedard has had just one quality start in a mere three tries. Then again, that one quality outing was his first since coming of the DL and saw him throw 6 2/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball at the overachieving A's. Last year, which was easily the best of Bedard's brief major league career, the lefty dominated the Yankees, lasting seven innings in each of his three starts against them and allowing no runs in either of the last two for this combined line: 14 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 16 K.

I'd say it would be best to make other plans tonight, but Bedard's opponent is Chien-Ming Wang, who out-dueled lefty C.C. Sabathia for seven innings in his last start as the Yankees won 1-0 in a gem of a game. Wang has also won 2-0 and 3-2 this year, and that doesn't include his one-run complete game victory over the Red Sox which ended in a 4-1 score. Wang also struck out nine Indians in his last start and has a 6.23 K/9 on the season. Right now, every Wang start is a must-see for Yankee fans, in part because the Yanks are 4-6 over their last ten games and of those four wins, two each were started by Wang and Mike Mussina.

Beside the two starters, the players to watch tonight are Seattle's 23-year-old rookie right fielder Wladimir Balentein and 24-year-old catcher Jeff Clement, both of whom were called up on Wednesday. Besides increasing the impressive collection of first names in the Mariner lineup, Wladimir, was the player who made Adam Jones "expendable." Balentein hit .291/.362/.509 at age 22 in his first season at triple-A last year, and was slugging .619 when called up earlier this week (the M's designated Guillen's initial replacement, Brad Wilkerson, for assignment to make room for him). In three late-game appearances for the big club last September, Balentein went 2 for 3 with a homer. In his first major league game this season he went 2 for 4 with a homer. In his second game he went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. Tonight will be his third major league start. Clement was hitting .397/.535/.692 in his third season at triple-A and is 7 for 19 with two homers and four walks against just three strikeouts in his young major league career. It's not clear yet exactly how Clement will fit into the lineup, but he's likely to bounce between catcher and DH for now as Kenji Johjima and Jose Vidro have been the teams's two worst hitters in the early going.

As for the Yankees, Johnny Damon and Robinson Cano sit against the lefty Bedard. Shelley Duncan's at first base and hitting cleanup for the second straight night. Jason Giambi will DH with Hideki Matsui in left. Alberto Gonzalez mans the keystone and hits ninth. Damon is hitting .390/.479/.683 in his last 11 games and has reached base eight time in his last 19 plate appearances. Jason Giambi is 1 for his last 14 with a .176 OBP in that span. However, Damon hasn't hit Bedard in the past and Giambi has. Of course the difference between the two against Bedard is four plate appearances (Damon's), one homer and two walks (all Giambi's). Giambi has also struck out five times against Bedard to Damon's once. Me, I'd go with the hotter hitter.

Finally, Jose Veras has been called up to keep Phil Hughes' spot warm until Darrell Rasner arrives on Sunday. Veras has been dominant as the closer in Scranton this year (13 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 21 K, 1.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP) and could survive past Sunday if the team decides to demote a pitcher whose been worked more heavily such as Ohlendorf, Albaladejo, or usual suspect Chris Britton.

Comments (134)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-05-02 15:11:46
1.   Zack
I'd agree Cliff. I don't really understand the logic of using such small matchup samples, especially when Giambi has never been very good against lefties and doesn't have a freaking hit off one yet this year (also small sample, but a bigger one!). To me, with a putrid offense that they are displaying, you simply can't sit one of the only guys hitting, no matter what the small sample matchup tells you
2008-05-02 15:20:47
2.   randym77
Maybe he's sitting Damon because of his injury. He sure didn't look good yesterday.
2008-05-02 15:36:29
3.   Simone
If Girardi was so much focused on working out and the Yankees being healthy during Spring Training, how come there are all these injuries with both the younger and older players? Oh well.

I hope Wang can get the Yankees a win tonight. Things are getting desperate.

2008-05-02 15:40:47
4.   OldYanksFan
I hate to see Matsui in LF, but JD is banged up, so might as well rest him against a tough lefty. I know Robbie has been doing crap and is a lefty, but I still have more faith in him then Gonzalez. No rank on the AG, I just think Cano can turn a game around.
2008-05-02 15:57:14
5.   Cliff Corcoran
4 Well, he already has one pinch-hit homer this year, so don't count him out.

Last night was the first game of the year that I missed. I've read nothing anywhere about Damon's being hurt. What's the deal?

2008-05-02 16:09:25
6.   randym77
5 Strained groin, from that awkward slide the other day. They asked him if could play through it, and he said, "I have to. There's too many other guys down."

He was in visible pain yesterday, and didn't play very well in the outfield. He looked kind of awkward at the plate, too, though he got a hit.

2008-05-02 16:14:02
7.   ny2ca2dc
Man it's ugly in the Bronx. It's been beau-t-ful in DC. :D
2008-05-02 16:16:37
8.   randym77
I hope it's not scary flyball night for the Wanger.
2008-05-02 16:20:08
9.   ny2ca2dc
8 I can live with the fly balls if the Ks and overall production come with 'em!

Jeter seems to be pulling more balls thru the SS hole than before - probably a good adjustment to getting all those pitches inside.

2008-05-02 16:36:56
10.   OldYanksFan
Anybody watching the game?
2008-05-02 16:39:19
11.   randym77
I am, but I didn't want to hog the conversation...
2008-05-02 16:39:39
12.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
10 Good morning OYF, rainy here too this morning. Wang looking good, Murcer back announcing, today will be a W for sure!
2008-05-02 16:43:39
13.   Zack
I'm here, just trying to avoid doing all the positing, as I was last night :)
2008-05-02 16:43:58
14.   OldYanksFan
In sunny NH. it's damp, drizzling and the coldest 46d I've ever felt. Just miserable. Hope it's a little better in the Bronx.
2008-05-02 16:44:49
15.   OldYanksFan
Not much to talk about without William to argue with, eh?
2008-05-02 16:44:50
16.   Zack
Good thing the Seattle fielders didn't show up today
2008-05-02 16:45:31
17.   Zack
Well, in beautiful San Diego its nice and sunny and right around 65 :)
2008-05-02 16:46:22
18.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
15 Heh-Heh
Another hit by AG..glad Ensberg didn't test Ichiro though
2008-05-02 16:47:05
19.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
17 you been to Petco?

MELKY!!!

2008-05-02 16:47:05
20.   Zack
I like this inning!
2008-05-02 16:48:08
21.   Zack
19 Yeah, was just there last week to see Lincicum vs. Young--great pitchers in a pitcher's ballpark with two terrible offenses meant for a very dull 1-0 game! Like the park a lot, though a lot of that may be due to perfect baseball conditions!
2008-05-02 16:48:41
22.   ny2ca2dc
Alberto has been much better than expected. Now lets watch as reality sets in & he goes back to sucking. Holy Moly Melky!
2008-05-02 16:49:08
23.   randym77
I can't believe Melky hit that one.

That oughta boost his RISP numbers...

2008-05-02 16:50:46
24.   OldYanksFan
I was about to type 'big AB here' with Melky coming up, but then I read 19 . MLB.TV is about 90 seconds behind. Anyway.... MELKY!
2008-05-02 16:50:58
25.   ny2ca2dc
Lumping up Bedard ought to help the hitters' confidence (whether or not that's the problem)... So lets lump him up! Nice at least to have scored runs in more than one inning.
2008-05-02 16:53:34
26.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
Yeah, especially with King Felix twirling tomorrow.
21 San Diego's offense looks tragic...hard to think they can contend this year.
off tomorrow to the "Wrigley Field" of Tokyo, Jingu Stadium, weather permitting...
2008-05-02 16:55:47
27.   Zack
Do people really keep score at home?
2008-05-02 16:58:38
28.   tommyl
I love Wang. Man, just beautiful so far.
2008-05-02 16:59:06
29.   Zack
pastadivingjeter
2008-05-02 16:59:21
30.   tommyl
Oh and there's some pasta. My least favorite kind.
2008-05-02 16:59:22
31.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
Pasta....
2008-05-02 17:02:51
32.   ny2ca2dc
I could go for some pasta right now. I'd like to see the AG get plenty of playing time for the next few weeks/months. If he can hit even a little, I might like to see Damon flipped for prospects at the deadline (eat his salary), and Jeter moved to LF. That assumes Melky doesn't fall off also. But that would really, REALLY, tighten up the D up the middle. Could probably save dozens of runs.
2008-05-02 17:03:00
33.   Just fair
27 I use to love this line from ESPN highlights about 20 years ago before they became unwatchable. Unfortunately, I did not understand it at the time.
"That play would be 6 to 4 to 3 if your scoring at home. Or if your just by yourself." : )
2008-05-02 17:03:56
34.   Zack
Wanger doesn't quite seem to have it tonight--throwing a lot of balls, but I'll take it so far!
2008-05-02 17:06:10
35.   ny2ca2dc
Wang is so good that even when he doesn't have his best command/stuff, he can dominate a mediocre lineup. (Reading that sounds like a backhanded compliment, but it's not intended to be)
2008-05-02 17:08:38
36.   OldYanksFan
The Ms spent a lot of money on Sexson and Beltre. Didn't get much in return.
2008-05-02 17:08:51
37.   Schteeve
I can't believe that there are only 3 yankees with OBPs higher than .350.
2008-05-02 17:12:22
38.   tommyl
Did the Yankees help the M's out with defense before the game? Yeesh.
2008-05-02 17:13:14
39.   tommyl
Well, that's one way to get on base Jason.
2008-05-02 17:15:48
40.   ny2ca2dc
Man, if an opposing batter did that shit, I'd be screaming. But he's our big lug, so, "way to get on base / take one for the team 'bino"
2008-05-02 17:15:56
41.   OldYanksFan
Jason takes one (on purpose) for the team!
2008-05-02 17:19:14
42.   Yankees Brasil
How long 'till A-Rod comes back? Ensberg sucks.
2008-05-02 17:22:07
43.   Schteeve
42 Yeah, I don't believe many people would build a championship lineup that would include, Ensberg, Molina, Alberto Gonzales, and Shelley Duncan.

This could be a long ass season.

2008-05-02 17:22:08
44.   ny2ca2dc
Where yer pitches going Wang?
2008-05-02 17:26:22
45.   Yankees Brasil
Nasty slider there.
2008-05-02 17:27:12
46.   ny2ca2dc
44 Found 'em
2008-05-02 17:27:34
47.   Just fair
In Wang we trust.
2008-05-02 17:31:22
48.   nick
Sterling would be delighted if Joba pitched the 8th on the day our #1 starter starts and has thrown 50 pitches through 4--what a maroon!
2008-05-02 17:32:05
49.   OldYanksFan
Bedard at 60 pitches now.
2008-05-02 17:33:21
50.   Simone
This might be it in the runs department for the Yankees. Wang has got to hold Seattle to no runs.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-05-02 17:36:00
51.   Shaun P
37 And that's why the Yanks are struggling.
2008-05-02 17:39:27
52.   OldYanksFan
Man... Jorge out for 6 weeks? That's brutal. I'm almost afraid to hear about ARod.
2008-05-02 17:42:47
53.   Yankees Brasil
FUCK! He can't be injured.
2008-05-02 17:43:22
54.   ny2ca2dc
oh no
2008-05-02 17:44:11
55.   vockins
The wave.

Have some dignity, fans.

2008-05-02 17:44:26
56.   alterity
what's going on?
2008-05-02 17:44:36
57.   tommyl
Oh dear lord no. If Wang is hurt I'm going to panic I think.
2008-05-02 17:44:47
58.   randym77
I think A-Rod will be back long before Posada.

IMO, six weeks for Posada is probably optimistic. Rotator cuff tendinitis doesn't always respond to conservative treatment. And it can take a lot longer than 6 weeks even if nonsurgical treatment does work.

2008-05-02 17:45:17
59.   Yankees Brasil
He's a beast. Even hurt he gets two outs with just one pitch!
2008-05-02 17:45:25
60.   randym77
Wang's having problems with his fingernail. He always has problems with his fingernail. I doubt it's serious.
2008-05-02 17:46:28
61.   ny2ca2dc
Would be nice to get some or half a dozen runs so Wang could come out and the shite BP guys could mop up.
2008-05-02 17:47:20
62.   Yankees Brasil
60 It might not be serious, but it sure sucks to have the 'pen pitch another 4 innings tonight. Hope he comes back strong next inning.
2008-05-02 17:48:58
63.   tommyl
Looked more like he was wiggling his thumb to me.
2008-05-02 17:50:15
64.   OldYanksFan
Can't he have a bionic nail inserted during the offseason?
2008-05-02 17:50:37
65.   tommyl
Hey guys, remember that offense thing? You're supposed to score these, runs, I think is the name. Argh. Another 3 run offensive explosion.
2008-05-02 17:51:11
66.   Yankees Brasil
That's the third line drive tonight that goes right at their right fielder.
2008-05-02 17:51:19
67.   randym77
Well, they aren't taking him out, so it can't be that serious.

He spent the half-inning eating sunflower seeds and drinking water.

2008-05-02 17:51:59
68.   ny2ca2dc
Christ I get up for 2 minutes and the offens(ive) part of the inning is over. what happened?
2008-05-02 17:52:46
69.   Yankees Brasil
65 We scored three runs of Bedard. The way things were going the last couple of games, that's more than we could've asked for.
2008-05-02 17:53:25
70.   tommyl
69 Yeah, one earned though.
2008-05-02 17:56:28
71.   tommyl
Dear lord that was one of the best pitches I've ever seen.
2008-05-02 17:56:58
72.   ny2ca2dc
70 Some of those errors were silly though. Ensberg's "ROE" should have probably been a hit.
2008-05-02 17:57:02
73.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
wow, only May 2nd and the Banter is struggling to get to 100 comments? or is everyone out on a Friday night?
2008-05-02 17:57:38
74.   randym77
68

Abreu grounds out to 2B.

Duncan strikes out.

Matsui flies out to RF.

Wang barely gets to eat any sunflower seeds.

2008-05-02 17:59:21
75.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
Ichiro ia amazing..hits an unhittable pitch, steals two bases and the Ms get a run. Their offense really sucks after him...
2008-05-02 17:59:25
76.   ny2ca2dc
74 Thanks.

Wow, that pitch was unfair. Wang is really developing into a complete (or perhaps 'more conventional') top end pitcher. This could end up being his best year yet!

2008-05-02 18:01:39
77.   tommyl
76 If he keeps it up he's certainly in the running for the Cy. What's his ERA at now? That last fastball to Beltre looked almost like a Mo cutter. That's just no fair.
2008-05-02 18:02:26
78.   OldYanksFan
Ichiro is still a force.
2008-05-02 18:03:32
79.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
How much longer can they run Giambi out there?? 20million for this????
2008-05-02 18:03:36
80.   tommyl
78 I love watching Ichiro, he's one of the best pure athletes in the game.

Meanwhile, Jason, c'mon, lean into anything inside.

2008-05-02 18:04:19
81.   tommyl
79 The problem with the Giambi contract wasn't the amount it was the length. His first few years he was extremely productive. He sucks now, but its his last year.
2008-05-02 18:05:29
82.   tommyl
Kyle is up? Kyle?!!!! please dear lord no. Joba for 2, then Mo.
2008-05-02 18:06:54
83.   ny2ca2dc
oh no, farnsworth?!
2008-05-02 18:07:50
84.   ChrisS
A) Kyle?

B) What happened to that "patient, plodding Yankee lineup" that made pitchers work?

2008-05-02 18:08:09
85.   randym77
Wang's ERA is now 3.00.

Bedard's is 1.90.

2008-05-02 18:08:44
86.   ny2ca2dc
82 Or Wang for 1 more, then Joba, then Mo. These buttons are easy to press Joe...
2008-05-02 18:08:57
87.   tommyl
84 B) Have you been watching this season? Its all about getting out of there as quick as possible. They're having a pool on it.
2008-05-02 18:09:21
88.   Mattpat11
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
2008-05-02 18:09:39
89.   tommyl
Kyle you better not fucking blow this game.
2008-05-02 18:10:38
90.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
Yikes.. Farnsworth has such good stuff, why can't he ever get it together??
2008-05-02 18:10:50
91.   nick
so without reloading, is there ANY chance I'll be fast enough to be the first to say "why the FUCK not Joba for two here?"
2008-05-02 18:10:58
92.   Just fair
I simply will not be be able to handle seeing Farnsworth give up another homer.
2008-05-02 18:11:16
93.   Mattpat11
90 Don't start.
2008-05-02 18:11:20
94.   ny2ca2dc
oh no it IS farns.... Christ. Just get Joba up anyway.

Maybe Girardi is trying to get Farns some confidence or something. Seen any straws? I'm looking to grasp some.

2008-05-02 18:11:50
95.   ChrisS
87 unfortunately

Go Kyle!

It's his new cutter.

I think I'm going to watch the A-Charleston team for offense.

2008-05-02 18:12:20
96.   Just fair
1,2,......hold your breath.
2008-05-02 18:14:03
97.   ny2ca2dc
Farns has had some stretches of goodness this year even. I would sign up for him being this year's version of Vizcaino - run fairy for a month, good for a month, repeat.
2008-05-02 18:14:05
98.   OldYanksFan
Wang started the game at 2.86.
Ichiro's career is: .332 .378 .435 .812
While the OPS isn't outstanding, he is both a top 5 defender, a top 5 arm and top 5 baserunner. He IS a great player.
He doesn't walk much though.
2008-05-02 18:14:28
99.   Just fair
Hold onto your hat, Mattpat. Kyle's turing it around.
2008-05-02 18:14:57
100.   ny2ca2dc
WTF was that walk about...
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-05-02 18:15:55
101.   Mattpat11
99 I hate you
2008-05-02 18:16:08
102.   Mr OK Jazz TOKYO
damn, can we dream about Farns being productive???
98 yeah, he's amazing. Best "pure" hitter since Rod Carew? Gwynn?
2008-05-02 18:16:39
103.   ny2ca2dc
Boy, that really was pretty good. Actually, that was fucking awesome. If this is his 5th 1-2-3 inning of the year, isn't that like twice as many as he had all last year?
2008-05-02 18:17:00
104.   Just fair
101 Hee-hee-hee
2008-05-02 18:17:15
105.   Yankees Brasil
That was a great inning by Farnsworth. Who would have thought?!
2008-05-02 18:18:47
106.   OldYanksFan
Seattle's 5-6-7 has an average BA of just over .200. Seems like a good time to bring in 'The Farns'.
2008-05-02 18:20:35
107.   OldYanksFan
Anyone notice we have bashed out all of 4 hits?
2008-05-02 18:20:56
108.   ny2ca2dc
106 I shall firmly grab that straw. Sounds good to me.

Damn Bedard looking more like the Bedard of last year. fak.

At least JobaMo are up.

2008-05-02 18:25:35
109.   ny2ca2dc
Well, PeteAbe speculating something wrong with Wang's fingernail. I'm calling it: Girardi will deny anything's wrong, Wang will waiver a bit ("well, it's not exactly 100%"), and the media will spin up another scandal. Fingernailgate.
2008-05-02 18:25:47
110.   Yankees Brasil
Another inning, another 1-2-3.
2008-05-02 18:26:54
111.   ny2ca2dc
110 At least Bedard really is this good. At least they're not getting eaten by Daniel Cabrera (again) or something.
2008-05-02 18:27:50
112.   Just fair
The guy who bangs the rail or pan that consistently gets picked up on YES kind of ruins my TV viewing experience. I know he's some kind of fixture at the stadium, but it ranks up thier with the rally monkey and thunderstix. And it's just one guy. Sorry. Just had to get that off my chest.
Go Joba!
2008-05-02 18:29:26
113.   Just fair
What the deuce was Ensberg smoking when he hit 36 homers 5 years back?
2008-05-02 18:31:52
114.   randym77
Pesky, this Ichiro fellow.
2008-05-02 18:33:01
115.   ny2ca2dc
112 Freddy Sez? Not as bad as that drumming in Cleveland. And I never hear it on TV. Though now that you've pointed it out, I'll listen for it and notice it all the time now. Thanks. Thanks a lot.
2008-05-02 18:39:32
116.   OldYanksFan
You wonder if Ichiro could steal 2nd and maybe 3rd evrytime he gets on...
2008-05-02 18:40:04
117.   Just fair
115 How in the world could you not have noticed it before? Ah, well, sorry. Seriously. It has been driving me semi-crazy for about 4 years now.
2008-05-02 18:41:45
118.   Yankees Brasil
Abreu looks like he's guessing against lefties.
2008-05-02 18:48:40
119.   ny2ca2dc
117 I still can't hear it - I'm on MLB.TV though, so I'm sure the sound isn't as good.
2008-05-02 18:50:21
120.   Yankees Brasil
RISP alert. I wonder if we can get a hit.
2008-05-02 18:56:52
121.   OldYanksFan
Why no PH?
2008-05-02 18:58:23
122.   ny2ca2dc
Beating up on relief pitchers, that's more like it.
2008-05-02 18:59:17
123.   Yankees Brasil
You gotta let Joba pitch the 9th now. He needs to be stretched out.
2008-05-02 19:01:52
124.   OldYanksFan
Wow... seems like a while since we won a game. Feels nice (so far).
2008-05-02 19:02:49
125.   Yankees Brasil
A thing of beauty, that K.
2008-05-02 19:03:02
126.   Just fair
That strike 3 pitch was unhittably perfect.
2008-05-02 19:05:11
127.   ny2ca2dc
Holy Moly Ravioli. What a year Mo could have; hell of a start.
2008-05-02 19:06:15
128.   Just fair
I wonder of Mo has ever played darts? Nice win.
2008-05-02 19:09:19
129.   tommyl
Man, what I wouldn't do for 5 Wangs. He's unbeleivable this year.

Mo, um, yeah, wow. What is that 12 scoreless so far?

2008-05-02 19:11:05
130.   OldYanksFan
129 That's what she said! :o)
2008-05-02 19:11:43
131.   OldYanksFan
It's so easy when you get great pitching.
2008-05-02 19:20:36
132.   Shaun P
131 Pshaw. Its so easy when the offense scores 5 runs. In fact (small sample warning):

When Yanks score 5 runs or more: 10-3, .769

When Yanks score less than 5 runs: 5-13, .385

2008-05-02 19:29:25
133.   Just fair
I get this feeling that Girardi is going to look like
Boo Radley by September.
2008-05-02 19:48:32
134.   Chyll Will
129 That would be a rather satisfying combination platter...

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