Game 2 Saturday July 26, 2008

Jays 8, Mariners 3

On the strength of two home runs by Alex Rios off of R.A. Dickey and another strong day from Joe Inglett, the Jays handed Seattle their seventh straight loss Saturday in a 8-3 win.

Rios, hit solo shots in the 1st and 5th, and added a sacrifice fly in the 6thto finish the day with three RBI’s.  Inglettwas his normal pesky self going 3-for-4 with two RBI’s.  Two of Inglett’s hits were doubles as he added two runs scored and a walk. It was a rough outing for Dickey as he allowed all eights runs on ten hits and walked four in 5 1/3 innings.

Taking over in the rotation for injured Dustin McGowan, David Purcey (1-1)picked up his first big league win as he held the Mariners to three runs over six innings and struck out four batters.

Jose Lopez was responsible for all three Mariners runs as he doubled to score Adrian Beltre in the 2nd inning, and hit a two run shot scoring Beltre in the sixth.  It was the 7th homer of the season for Lopez. 

Lets see if the much rumored Jarrod Washburn deal happens before his afternoon start tomorrow.  Some media outlets are reporting that its practically a done deal.  We will keep and eye on it.

In other Mariner news, the team signed RHP Jorge Sosa to a minor league deal.  Sosa started the season with the New York Mets before being designated for assignment in May.  Is this possibly an extra arm for after the deadline?

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Sunday July 20, 2008

In a surprise move by the organization, the Mariners optioned lefty Ryan Rowland-Smith to Tacoma to begin a minor league assignment to convert to a  full-time starting pitcher.  Rowland-Smith was obviously disappointed with the move but ultimately understood what the organization wants from him.  J.J. Putz was activated and will be available in the pen for this afternoon’s ballgame.

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Sunday July 20, 2008

2007 All-Star closer J.J. Putzis expected to be activated for today’s 1:10 PT game against the Cleveland Indians.  Manager Jim Riggleman said he was personally not sure of the plan for Putz but said it was likely he could be activated.  Putz was with the team on Saturday.  Riggleman mentioned that Putz would get middle to late inning relief work initially until they feel he may be ready to close.  It will be a tough call to see who the M’s option back to Tacoma.  The team has a banged up staff, and may not want to move down pitching. 

Without any knowledge of the situation, I would move Miguel Batista to the 15-day DL when they activate Putz.  Batista needs the rest, and Roy Corcoran, and Cesar Jimenez have been doing a great job in the pen.  I guess we will find out Sunday afternoon.

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July 17, 2008

The Mariners will start the second half of their season with another new face joining the squad.  Bryan LaHair will join the team for tomorrow nights game against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco. To make room for LaHair, the M’s optioned infielder Tug Hulett back down to Triple-A Tacoma.

 On July 12, Hulett made his Major League debut for the Mariners, recording his first hit going 1-for-3 batting as the team’s DH. Unfortunately for Tug, it was the only action he got to see.

LaHair is a left-handed batter who has put up good power numbers in Triple-A. Manager Jim Riggleman plans on using the 25 year old first baseman mostly against right-handed pitching, but didn’t rule out using him this weekend against the Indians’ three left-handed arms.

In some other team news, Closer J.J. Putz is scheduled to throw a relief rehab inning for Tacoma on Friday.  He has been on the DL since June 13th with a sore elbow.  Putz pitched in Double-A earlier in the week and got through with no soreness.  If all goes well, he could be back within a week.

The team also announced the signings of two young 16-year-old players.  Outfielder Julio Morban from the Dominican Republic and pitcher Francisco Valdivia from Nicaragua.

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July 10th, 2008

The Seattle Mariners have traded for 1B/OF Craig Wilson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later.  Wilson has spent this season playing First Base for Triple-A Indianapolis.  Wilson will be assgined to Triple-A Tacoma.

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Thursday July, 10th 2008

Its a busy day for the Mariners roster as the team finally has decided to grant 1st Baseman Richie Sexson his release.  Sexson has to wait through the waiver period till Monday and can be signed by another big league club for roughly $200,000.  The M’s are left holding the bag for the rest of his $64 million contract, which he is owed around $7 Million.  Manager Jim Riggleman said the team will platoon Miguel Cairo, and Jose Vidro for the series with the Royals before heading to the All-Star break. 

Sexson’s bat has showed a little promise of late, but it still wasn’t good enough as his struggles at the plate have reached almost a two-year span.  It appears the M’s ran out of patience.  Lefty first baseman Bryan LaHair remains a possibility in the second half if they decide to promote him from Triple-A Tacoma.  LaHair is considered by some as a younger version of Sexson, and packs a nice power stroke.

As well Seattle placed Erik Bedard on the 15-day DL.  The move will be retroactive to July 5th.  This move was needed as the bullpen needs another arm after all of the recent work they have been getting.  Promoted from Tacoma was righty Jared Wells, who the team acquired earlier in the season from the Padres for pitcher Cha Seung Baek.  Also called up was infielder Tug Hulett.

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Lefty Cesar Jimenez will be in the bullpen Tuesday night against Toronto taking the roster spot of Felix Hernandez who was placed on the 15 day DL.  Jimenez may not be up for long since Hernandez DL stint will be retroactive to the day of his last start.  Jimenez last stint in the Majors was in 2006 with the Mariners when he made his debut in a late season September call up.  He appeared in 4 games, starting one.

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Heavy hitting prospect Jeff Clement will be in uniform tonight to try to add some pop to the anemic Seattle offense.  Wladimir Balentien in turn was optioned to triple A Tacoma.  It is presumed that this move in Balentien‘s case is to get him some work in Center Field in the minors and get him back playing everyday again.

Manager John McLaren said that the team plans to work Clement in at Catcher and not have him ride the bench.  McLaren mentioned the team needs an offensive spark, and he hopes Clement will help give him that.

The Mariners outfield situation just got more confusing yesterday with the move of Ichiro Suzuki to right field.  Now it appears we have turned the clock back to 2005 with Jeremy Reed seeing most of the time in Center Field, unless another move is made.

Major moves could be on the horizon, stay tuned.

The Seattle Mariners and Balimore Orioles have finally completed the Erik Bedard trade that has been rumored for the past month.  Bedard will now be the #2 pitcher behind Felix Hernandez in the Mariners pitching rotation.  Great 1-2 punch for the Mariners!

Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler are all heading the to the Orioles.  Mariners are giving up a lot, but it could be worth it in the long run.  That is if they can sign Bedard to a long term contract.

What do you think Mariners Fans?  Do you like the trade?

The Seattle Mariners and Brad Wilkerson have agreed on a one year contract that will pay Wilkerson around $3 million dollars.  The deal could possibly be worth $5 million if he reaches all of the incentives that are included in the deal.  Look for him to fill into the right field position but not have much value hitting in Safeco.

Do you like the signing Mariners Fans?  Leave us a comment and let us know your opinions!

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