SB Nation - Jamie Burke

Washington Nationals: Free Agent Chatter: Aroldis Chapman?

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:40:26 -0000

More photos » by Peter Morgan - AP

22-year-old Cuban-born left-hander Aroldis Chapman threw bullpen sessions for MLB scouts and even a few GM's today in Houston, Texas. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

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The Washington Nationals signed six free agents, or re-signed in three of six cases, but it was the fact that they simply "watched" an unsigned free agent that had some of the DC Faithful talking, and wondering if the Nationals could once again make the sort of splash in the international market that they did when they signed one Esmailyn "Smiley" Gonzalez back in 2006. At the same time the team was announcing, or in some cases confirming the signings of, "...right-handed pitchers Joel Peralta, Logan Kensing and Ryan Speier, catcher Jamie Burke, infielder Pete Orr and outfielder Jerry Owens to minor league contracts," in an official team press release, reports coming out of Houston, Texas identified the Washington Nationals as one of 15 teams in attendance at a bullpen session thrown by Cuban-born left-hander Aroldis Chapman for the sake of the scouts, and in two cases, GM's, of teams the international free agent hopes to sign with this Winter.

ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure, Jr., in an article entitled, "Scouts watch Cuban lefty throw", reports that DC GM Mike Rizzo was one of those there to see the 22-year-old, 6'4'' left-hander in action. According to Mr. Arangure, Chapman's working with a slider, change, and most impressive of all, a fastball that was, "...mostly in the 92-93 mph range and topp(ed) out at 96 mph," (though his heater has hit triple digits in international competition). In addition to the article Mr. Arangure, Jr. wrote, he was tweeting about the story as it broke, and twice tweeted about the Nationals' presence at the throwing session:

• "Had two sources confirm #Nationals GM Mike Rizzo attended Chapman's workout..."

• "Rizzo was the only out of town GM to attend the workout. Wade attended but obviously he lives in Houston."

Are the Nationals serious suitors for the most coveted free agent pitcher still on the market? (Sorry, Ben Sheets). Two problems: 1) The price tag - According to Mr. Arangure, Jr., "...the only team known to have made an offer for Chapman," is the Boston Red Sox, who have had a $15.5 million dollar deal on the table for some time, but Mr. Arangure Jr. also notes that Chapman's agent, "Randy Hendricks confirmed there are offers on the table for Chapman but did not disclose details," which leads us to problem No. 2) Hendricks? Randy Hendricks? The Hendricks Bros.? Hendricks Sports Management? Any of this ring a bell? That's right, Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Crow share agents. Luckily, it will be DC GM Mike Rizzo dealing with them this time if the Nationals are actually interested.

Six Free Agents Signed:

Logan Kensing, Jamie Burke and Pete Orr we already know, and the signings of Jerry Owens and Ryan Speier were already public knowledge, but the one new name among the six free agents the Washington Nationals signed today was Joel Peralta, a 33-year-old right-hander who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Athletics back in 1996, and has since pitched for 3 Major League teams, the LA Angels, Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies, posting a combined (4-11) record with a 4.61 ERA in 221 games and 273.1 IP over which he's allowed 140 runs, 43 HR's (1.1 HR/9) and 76 walks (2.5 BB/9), while recording 213 K's (8.0 K/9) in his 5 MLB seasons.

LINKS:

• Washington Nationals: Official Press Release - "Nationals sign six players to minor league contracts".

• Washington Post - Chico Harlan - "Rizzo in attendance to watch Chapman."

Atlanta Braves Sweep Washington Nationals, DC Bullpen Gives It Away In Extras, 6-3.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:54:22 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman, left, circles the bases after hitting a solo home run against Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Derek Lowe, right, in the first inning of a baseball game in Washington, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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• Ryan Zimmerman and Josh WIllingham go back to back off ATL right-hander Derek Lowe with two down in the first. Zimmerman’s 32nd of 2009, gives him 8 more than his previous season high of 24 which he hit in 162 games in 2007, and there are eight innings left today and seven more games on the 2009 schedule to be played this week. The Hammer hits his second HR and collects just the second RBI in his last 62 at bats. So far in September, Willingham's hit in just 12 of 71 at bats, for a .169 AVG, a .272 OBP and a .324 SLG. Derek Lowe gives up two HR's in the same game for the first time all season.

• A fan interferes with a leadoff line drive by Martin Prado, who gets second, and Chipper Jones reaches on an infield single off Livan Hernandez in the fourth. Livan gets a harmless fly out of Brian McCann, but Josh Willingham catches it while backpedaling and throws it in weakly off his back heel allowing Prado to take third, and then score easily on Garrett Anderson’s groundout. 2-1 DC. Yunel Escobar hits a two-out triple to score Chipper and it’s tied at 2-2 after four.

• Mike Morse hits the third HR of the game off Lowe to give DC a 3-2 lead in the fourth. Morse hits his second HR in two days, for the 4th and 5th HR’s of his 132-game MLB career. Before yesterday's HR, Morse hadn't gone deep in a major league game since August 15th 2005 when he hit a two-run HR as a Seattle Mariner for the 3rd HR of his rookie campaign.

TRIVIA: The last time Derek Lowe gave up 3 HR’s in a game? August 27, 2007, against the Washington Nationals...Q: Who hit the HR's off Lowe? There were three different players...? A: Dmitri Young, Wily Mo Pena and Ryan Zimmerman in a 5-4 loss to Los Angeles.

• After grounding out with two on and two out in the sixth, Livan Hernandez walks Yunel Escobar to start the seventh and then gives up an RBI double off the base of the out-of-town scoreboard to Adam LaRoche, which scores Escobar from first ahead of the cut throw home. 3-3 ballgame. Hernandez out after 6.1 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, 1 BB and 2 K's. Tyler Clippard replaces Livan, and strands Adam LaRoche at third in a tie game. Then the Nationals do the same...

Continued after the JUMP...

• Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's Atlanta Braves Blog: Talking Chop.

• "Game 155: Our team is terrible." - Doghouse.

Full Game Report After The JUMP...

• The Worst Kind Of FAIL...How To Strand A Leadoff Triple: Willie Harris starts the Nationals’ seventh with leadoff triple off Braves’ reliever Peter Moylan. Ian Desmond grounds to first, Adam LaRoche fields and looks Harris back to third. The Braves walk Ryan Zimmerman. First and third, one out. Josh Willingham K's taking a 1-2 slider inside for a called strike three. Elijah Dukes takes an 0-2 slider low and outside and that's a strike too, Willie Harris is left standing on third...

• Extra Innings...For the second-straight day, Mike MacDougal comes on in a non-save situation. Yesterday, MacDougal allowed a single, a sac bunt and an RBI double before he was lifted for Ron Villone who gave up a two-run HR, with one run belonging to the DC closer. Today, MacDougal starts the tenth with the game still tied at 3-3, and gets the first out on a groundout by pinch hitter Brooks Conrad, then it all falls apart. One-out walk to Nate McLouth. MacDougal hits Martin Prado. Chipper Jones hits a dribbler toward first, McDougal can't make the play, everyone is safe. Brian McCann grounds out to score the go-ahead run. 4-3 Braves. Pinch hitter Omar Infante hits a bloop single to center, two more score. 6-3 Atlanta. Ballgame.

Nationals now 52-103.

Atlanta Braves At Washington Nationals. Game 155 Of 162.

Livan Hernandez gets a two-seam fastball to break back inside for a called strike three on Nate McLouth. Martin Prado grounds weakly to short, and Chipper Jones flies out to left center where Willie Harris’ catch ends a quick top of the first...Willie Harris flies out to Garrett Anderson in left field. Chipper Jones makes a quick toss to first on a groundout by Ian Desmond. Two down for Braves’ righty Derek Lowe. Ryan Zimmerman goes over the out-of-town scoreboard with a two-out solo HR to right. Josh Willingham gets a first-pitch fastball and he destroys it, line drive to left and GONE!! HR for the Hammer, 2-0 DC. Elijah Dukes K’s swinging over a sinker, 2-0 Nationals after one.

Brian McCann gets a 1-2 fastball up high that he drives to center for a single. Brian McCann takes second when Garrett Anderson grounds out to Mike Morse at first. Yunel Escobar skies a 2-0 pitch to right. Livan Hernandez likes working with the lead, and he strikes Adam LaRoche out to preserve it...Mike Morse grounds weakly to short after Lowe jams him with a fastball inside. Jamie Burke’s not expecting a curve, and he’s fooled so bad he throws his bat five feet in front of home. Alberto Gonzalez rolls one to Chipper Jones who barehands it and throws to first, in time.

Matt Diaz grounds back to the mound. Derek Lowe’s slow chopper’s handled by Ryan Zimmerman. Willie Harris covers his eyes and catches the third out of the Braves’ third off Nate McLouth's bat...Lowe gets an equally weak grounder out of Livan. Willie Harris’ single to center puts one on for Ian Desmond. Desmond walks, Zimm’s up for the second time with two runners on. Zimmerman flies out to center. Harris takes third. Willingham walks to load the bases, but Elijah Dukes’ pop-up ends the third.

Martin Prado doubles by third and a fan inteferes to hold Prado at second. (And get him/herself ejected.) Chipper Jones grounds to Desmond deep in the hole at short. Desmond backhands but holds it. Two on for McCann. Josh Willingham’s backing up when he catches Brian McCann’s fly ball, but he throws off his back heel and it comes in late at third. Garrett Anderson grounds to short to score Prado. 2-1 Nationals. Livan Hernandez gives up a two-out, RBI triple to Yunel Escobar, who splits the gap in left center to tie it at 2-2. Adam LaRoche flies out to the track to end the top of the fourth...Derek Lowe hangs a curve to Mike Morse that ends up in the first row in the left field stands, 3-2 DC. Jamie Burke rolls the first out to third. Matt Diaz slides in to catch a short fly off Alberto Gonzalez’s bat. Livan Hernandez grounds out to Yunel Escobar to end the fourth.

Ian Desmond charges and fires to first to get Matt Diaz to start the sixth. Derek Lowe’s dribbler’s so slow Zimmerman can’t throw out the pitcher. Alberto Gonzalez can’t stab a sharp grounder from Nate McLouth and there are two on again. Martin Prado singl--Alberto Gonzalez gets there makes a slick underarm toss to second, Desmond spins around the bag and throws to first, double play...Willie Harris singles to start the fifth. Ian Desmond grounds out to first to move Willie Harris into scoring position. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to deep center. Harris stays put. Josh Willingham grounds out to short to end the fifth.

Chipper Jones flies out to Josh Willingham in straight left. Brian McCann grounds out to Alberto Gonzalez at second. Willie Harris catches the third out off Garrett Anderson’s bat on the curly-W in the outfield grass...Elijah Dukes pops a first-pitch fastball up over first for LaRoche to catch. Mike Morse K’s swinging through a 1-2 fastball. Jamie Burke rips a single over second with two down. Alberto Gonzalez hits the second straight two-out single. Livan Hernandez grounds to short to end the threat.

Livan Hernandez vs Yunel Escobar. Livan misses with a high inside full-count fastball. Adam LaRoche doubles off the base of the out-of-town scoreboard, and Escobar beats the relayed throw home, 3-3 ballgame. Tyler Clippard takes over for Livan Hernandez. Mike Morse fields a grounder from pinch hitter from Greg Norton and steps on first, holding LaRoche at third. Tyler Clippard walks McLouth with two down. Martin Prado K’s swinging through a high-heater from Clippard...WIllie Harris triples to off the right field wall to start the eighth off the Braves’ sidewinder, Peter Moylan. Ian Desmond grounds unproductively to first. Ryan Zimmerman gets the intentionals to set up the DP. Willingham takes a two-strike fastball "inside" for a called strike three. Elijah Dukes takes a low slider outside for another backwards K.

Tyler Clippard vs Chipper Jones. Larrrr-eee grounds out to first. Ryan Zimmerman catches a foul pop off Brian McCann’s bat. Elijah Dukes sprints to catch up to a sharp liner to right by Garrett Anderson. Clippard with a scoreless frame...Mike Morse grounds weakly to short for the first out of DC’s eighth. Jamie Burke chases a slider outside for a swinging strike three. Alberto Gonzalez is completely fooled as he K’s.

Yunel Escobar singles through Ryan Zimmerman’s glove for a leadoff single. Adam LaRoche pops out to center unproductively. Matt Diaz grounds to short, Desmond to Gonzalez to Morse, double play!!!!...The Guzzz, Cristian Guzman sends a blooper to right for a leadoff single. Justin Maxwell runs for Guzman. Willie Harris lines a bunt back to Mike Gonzalez on the mound. Ian Desmond pops out to the infield. Ryan Zimmerman K’s swinging over a nasty two-strike slider.

Mike MacDougal gets a groundout to second from Brooks Conrad. MacDougal walks Nate McLouth with one down and then hits Martin Prado with Chipper Jones due up. C. Jones grounds weakly to first and MacDougal misses it. Bases loaded. Brian McCann’s weak grounder to the mound scores the walk, McLouth. 4-3 Braves. Pinch hitter Omar Infante places a single in the short center grass to score two, 6-3 Atlanta. Yunel Escobar grounds to first to end the inning...Rafael Soriano’s going to close this out. Willingham pops out on the first pitch. Elijah Dukes grounds out to first. Mike Morse K’s on a check swing to end it. Braves win, 6-3 final.

Nationals now 52-103.

Washington Nationals Drop Their 100th Game Of 2009, 7-6 To The Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ed Chigliak — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:57:16 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

2 months ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' shortstop Rafael Furcal (15) is greeted at the home plate by teammate Andre Ethier (16), after furcal hit a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Washington. Nationals catcher Jaime Burke stands at left. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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• Before the 102-loss 2008 Washington Nationals, and ignoring for a moment the Montreal Expos' past of the current DC-based baseball franchise since the Nationals' ownership group has no love for this team's Francophone roots, you have to go back to 1964 to find the last 100-loss season in DC baseball history. It was also the last time, (before this year) that a team from the nation's capital had back to back hundred-loss campaigns. The 1964 Senators dropped the 162nd game of that season to Johnny Pesky and the Boston Red Sox to finish the year 62-100. The previous year, the '63 Senators dropped their one-hundredth in game 153 against the Baltimore Orioles, and they ended the season 56-106. In 1962, the Senators dropped number 100 to Elston Howard, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and the NY Yankees in game 159 of 161, and in '61 the Senators hit the century mark in Game 161 against the Kansas City Athletics in the first year after the Original Senators left and became the Twins...

• The Original Senators dropped 100 games or more four times...The 1955 Senators dropped No. 100 in the next-to-last game of their 154 game schedule, which they completed 53-101 after three straight losses to the Baltimore Orioles. Before that, the 1949 Senators finished 50-104, losing their 100th to Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto and the Yankees in the 147th of 154...One-hundred years ago this season, loss 100 for the 1909 Senators came against the St. Louis Browns in game 136 of 142, with Washington eventually finishing 42-110...And, finally, there's the 1904 Senators, who reached one-hundred losses in game 132 of 157 to Willie Keeler, Wid Conroy and the 1904 New York Yankees...

Last year, Washington lost 100 of 159, hitting triple digits against Phillies, and then dropping two more to finish 59-102. This year...??? AFTER THE JUMP...

• The DC Faithful Were Watching...

• Check Out The SB Nation's LA Dodgers Blog: True Blue LA.

• Follow The 100-Loss Story At The Hub: SB Nation.com StoryStream.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Trying To Avoid Triple Digits, The 52-99 '09 Nationals take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third of a three-game series in DC...

• The first three Dodgers to come up in the first, Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez, hit back to back to back singles to start the game and Ramirez’s scores the Dodgers’ first run of the night off DC’s J.D. Martin. Matt Kemp drives in the next three with a 3-run HR on the first pitch he sees after a visit to the mound from DC Pitching Coach Steve McCatty. Fastball down the pipe and out to left, into the Red Porch. 4-0 LA...

• Ryan Zimmerman walks and Josh Willingham rips a fastball from Vicente Padilla back up the middle to put two on for Elijah Dukes, who doubles off the right field wall to drive Zimmerman in and cut the lead to three. 4-1 LA. Alberto Gonzalez goes the other way with a fastball outside for a line drive single that scores Josh Willingham. Jamie Burke’s first RBI for Washington makes it a one-run game, but that’s as close as DC can get. 4-3 Dodgers.

• J.D. Martin gives a run right back, with a HBP, a single and a walk to start the Dodgers’ third. Martin gets Ronnie Belliard swinging, but gives up a sac fly to Blake DeWitt to put the Nationals two runs behind L.A. at 5-3 after three. The Nationals climb back within one when Willie Harris scores Alberto Gonzalez from second on a two-out single, 5-4 LA, but the Dodgers are quickly up by two again after Matt Kemp reaches first on a line drive to left that Josh Willingham drops after losing it in the lights... E: 133...takes on second on the Willingham error, and moves to third on a wild pitch/ball four from DC reliever Marco Estrada to James Loney, before scoring on hard hit Blake DeWitt grounder to third that makes it 6-4 LA.

• Cristian Guzman and Willie Harris hit back to back two-out RBI singles off LA righty Ramon Troncoso in the sixth to score Elijah Dukes, who'd wallked with one down and Alberto Gonzalez, who hit a one-out single. 6-6 ballgame after six, and it looks like LA's going to take the lead right back in the seventh after Matt Kemp flies to left, to the wall, and has it bounce of Josh Willingham's glove and fall in for a stand-up triple, but three outs later, Tyler Clippard's retired the side with a strike out, an infield pop out and a fly ball to center to strand Kemp...

Top of the eighth...DC lefty Ron Villone gets pinch-hitter Jim Thome to ground out to first, but in the next AB, Villone throws a 1-0 sinker to Rafael Furcal that hangs up in the zone and ends up going out to right, right over the out-of-town scoreboard and into the first row of seats. Ballgame. 7-6 Dodgers win.

Nationals now 52-100.

GAME REPORT:

Los Angeles Dodgers At Washington Nationals. Game 152 Of 162.

Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier and Manny Ramirez hit back to back to back singles to start the game and Ramirez’s hit scores the Dodgers’ first run off DC’s J.D. Martin. 1-0 LA. Matt Kemp drives in the next three with a 3-run HR on the first pitch he sees. Fastball down the pipe and out to left, into the Red Porch. 4-0 LA. J.D. Martin throws a sharp slider inside to get James Loney swinging. Martin throws a fastball by Ronnie Belliard for his second K. Blake DeWitt sends a line drive to short on one hop, but Ian Desmond dives to stab it, jumps up and throws DeWitt out (ESPN Webgem #5)...Willie Harris pops out to the infield. Ian Desmond K’s swinging over a two-strike curve outside. Adam Dunn K’s swinging over a full-count slider from Vicente Padilla.

Russell Martin backs Josh Willingham up to the track in left, flying out for the first out of the second. J.D. Martin gets the opposing pitcher swinging. Rafael Furcal keeps the inning alive, wrapping a grounder around first base and fair, and sliding in ahead of Elijah Dukes’ throw to second. Andre Ethier grounds out to second and Alberto Gonzalez’s throw ends LA’s second...Ryan Zimmerman walks to start DC’s second. Josh Willingham gets his first solid hit in recent memory, lining a 2-0 pitch to center. Padilla leaves a fastball up in the zone and Elijah Dukes destroys it, doubling off the right-center wall. Alberto Gonzalez goes the other way with a line drive to right that scores Willingham. 4-2 Dodgers. Jamie Burke scores Dukes from third with a sac fly to the track in left field. 4-3 LA. J.D. Martin bunts Alberto Gonzalez over. Willie Harris pops out to short to end the second.

Manny Ramirez takes a fastball on the elbow. Matt Kemp lines by J.D. Martin’s glove and under a diving Ian Desmond at short for a single. Russell Martin walks. Ronnie Belliard’s got the bases-loaded chance. J.D. Martin makes Belliard look silly with a looping 1-2 curve. Blake DeWitt flies out to right, Josh Willingham overthrows the cutoff man to give up the run and two extra bases. 5-3 Dodgers. Russell Martin gets the intentionals. VIcente Padilla flies out to end LA’s third...Ian Desmond K’s swinging to start DC’s third. Adam Dunn grounds to Loney at first, Padilla covers. Ryan Zimmerman and Josh Willingham both walk with two down and Dukes has another chance. Vicente Padilla hits the outside corner with a full-count fastball for a called strike three.

Marco Estrada takes over for J.D. Martin and strikes out Rafael Furcal to start the fourth. Estrada hits the outside corner with fastball for strike three on Andre Ethier. Manny Ramirez swings through a fastball upstairs, just tipping it into DC backstop Jamie Burke’s mitt...Alberto Gonzalez reaches on a swinging bunt toward third that Blake DeWitt just watches. Padilla hits the outside corner to get Jamie Burke staring at strike three. Marco Estrada gets down the second successful sac of the night to move Gonzalez to second. Willie Harris knocks Alberto in with a line drive single to make it 5-4 then gets thrown out running with Desmond at bat.

Matt Kemp ends up on second when Josh Willingham drops his line drive to left and throws in late to second. James Loney walks and ball four gets by Jamie Burke. Kemp takes third. Ronnie Belliard swings through a straight-up fastball. Ryan Zimmerman fields a high hopper from Blake DeWitt on his backhand, spins and leaps to fire to second for the force as Kemp scores. 6-4 Dodgers. Russell Martin pops out to short right to end the Dodgers’ fifth...Vicente Padilla hits the outside corner with a two-seam fastball to get Desmond looking again. Adam Dunn pops up behind home but it plays tricks on Russell Martin and he misses it. Dunn pops out to Kemp in center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to second to end the fifth.

Pinch hitter Juan Pierre lines out to the Hammer in left. Rafael Furcal hits a one-out double over Willie Harris’ head in center. Andre Ethier pops out behind second. Jason Bergmann’s on for Estrada with two down and Furcal still at second. Bergmann vs Manny Ramirez. Bergmann gets a harmless fly to center from LA’s slugger to strand Furcal on second...Ronnie Belliard leaps to pull a line drive from Willingham down. Ronald Belisario vs Elijah Dukes. Dukes uses his Discering Eye to draw a one-out walk. Alberto Gonzalez sneaks a single through short. Jamie Burke K’s swinging. Pinch hitter Cristian Guzman grounds sharply to second where Belliard awaits on the grass. Belliard fields and rushes a throw that sails by first, Loney and Guzman collide, Dukes scores, 6-5 LA. Willie Harris lines a single over short to score Alberto Gonzalez, and it’s tied at 6-6. Ian Desmond K’s swinging and has to run it out.

Matt Kemp flies deeep to right off Tyler Clippard....Josh Willingham tracks it and leaps at the wall...but misses, trapping it up with his glove, but letting it drop...and Hammer thinks it’s out...Kemp keeps running, and it’s a triple before Willingham finds it in his feet. James Loney K’s swinging at a fastball outside. Ronnie Belliard takes a full-count fastball for ball four. Clippard pops up Blake DeWitt, Zimmerman catches it in foul territory off third. Clippard gets a fly ball to center from Russell Martin and the leadoff triple is stranded!!! Still 6-6...Adam Dunn walks on four straight from Ramon Tronocoso to start DC’s seventh. Ryan Zimmerman gets jammed and flies out to left. Dunn’s running as Josh Willngham grounds out to DeWitt at third. Dukes gets the intentionals to bring up Alberto Gonzalez. The General grounds weakly to third to end the seventh.

Ron Villone starts the eighth against Jim Thome who grounds out to first. Rafael Furcal gets a 90 mph sinker for ball one. Villone comes back with another sinker that hangs up high in the zone and Furcal launches it to right, and, GONE! Solo HR, 7-6 Dodgers. NO!!! Andre Ethier grounds out and Villone’s done. Logan Kensing comes on and walks Manny Ramirez before popping up Kemp to end the LA eighth...George Sherrill gets a fly ball to left from Jamie Burke and a line drive to center from Justin Maxwell. Willie Harris walks to give Ian Desmond a two-out shot. Desmond lines to right, Harris rounds third, Ethier comes up throwing, and it’s perfect, Harris is dead, he tries to ram Russell Martin, but it’s no use, Martin holds on, 7-6 LA after eight.

James Loney lines out to to left. Logan Kensing pops Ronnie Belliard up. Blake DeWitt’s thinking double when he lines to right, but Dukes’ arm holds him at first. Russell Martin flies out to right to end the Dodgers’ ninth...Dunn, Zimmerman and Orr vs Jonathan Broxton. Adam Dunn grounds to DeWitt at second in the dramatic shift. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to DeWitt at third. Pete Orr grounds back to the mound. The Nationals lose their 100th game of 2009. 7-6 final.

Nationals now 52-100.

New York Mets Too Much For Washington Nationals, 6-2 Mets Sunday.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:12:23 -0000

More photos » by Henny Ray Abrams - AP

2 months ago: Washington Nationals' starting pitcher Garrett Mock delivers in the first inning of the baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

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Game Notes:

• Ian Desmond's decision to throw home in the second when Mets’ catcher Josh Thole bounced a grounder off DC starter Garrett Mock with a runner on third, may not have ultimately been a good one, but it was an aggressive play, and the extra runner that Desmond let on didn’t cost the Nationals. Jim Riggleman, Garrett Mock and catcher Jamie Burke’s decision to pitch to the Mets' catcher in the 7-spot with one down, a runner on third and the .250-hitting Wilson Valdez up next with the Mets' pitcher John Maine to follow...Well...1-0 NY...And Valdez did ground into a DP in the next AB for the record...(ed. note - " I know, It's not like Thole's a .300+ hitting backstop that you have to avoid pitching to, I know, he's a rookie called up from Doubl...What? He is hitting over .300? Whatever...pitch to him, go ahead...")

• Runners on first and second after back to back singles in the third. Garrett Mock fields a grounder from David Wright, but double pumps before throwing to second for the force, Ian Desmond can’t get the ball out of his glove to make the DP throw to first. First and third for Carlos Beltran, who takes a two-seam fastball back up the middle for an RBI single. Daniel Murphy doubles in the next AB, Wright and Beltran score, 4-0 NY.

More Game Notes After The JUMP...But First

Historical Note: When the Washington Nationals do eventually lose their 100th game of 2009, two or three games from now, it will be the first time in franchise history going back to 1969 with Montreal that a team has had back-to-back 100-loss seasons, and it will be the first time a DC-based franchise drops 100 or more in two-straight season since the Washington Senators (now the Texas Rangers) finished with 100+ losses in 4 consecutive seasons from 1961-64. The Original Senators, (now the Twins), had 5 100-Loss seasons, but never back-to-back...

• Mets win, 6-2 final.

• "Game 149: No heros or goats, only FAIL" - Doghouse

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 51-98.

Game Notes (cont)...

• With WIlson Valdez on first and Angel Pagan up with two out in the Mets’ fourth, new Nationals’ back stop Jamie Burke’s tested for the first time. Valdez breaks for second, Burke’s throw is right over the bag, Desmond catches it and tags Valdez for Burke’s first caught stealing as a National. Burke’s first RBI opp comes in the top of the fifth, first and third, one out, and Burke K’s swinging through a high fastball. The pitcher follows with a groundout and it’s 4-0 NY after four and a half.

• John Maine dominates DC, but he’s on a pitch count, so he’s out after 5.0 scoreless over which he strikes out just 1, and holds the Nationals to 2 hits and 1 walk. Maine throws 75 of the 80 pitches he was scheduled to throw, 50 of them for strikes, and gets 5 groundouts and 9 fly outs out of the 18 batters he faces before he hands it to the Mets’ bullpen...Garrett Mock through 5.0, you ask? 5.0 IP, 8 hits, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K’s, 82 pitches, 55 for strikes, 8 groundouts and 3 flyouts from 22 batters faced.

Mock ends up throwing 115 pitches, 74 for strikes, over 7.0 IP, allowing 9 hits, 4 runs and 2 walks while striking out 5 and getting 10 groundouts and 5 flyouts from the 30 batters he faces. Mock’s replaced by Zack Segovia, who give up a leadoff single Carlos Beltran that’s erased by a line drive to second by Daniel Murphy that’s an easy DP when Alberto Gonzalez makes the catch with Beltran running. Segovia then walks two batters with two down and is replaced by Victor Garate, who gives up a two-out, two-run triple to the corner in right, 6-0 Mets. Logan Kensing comes on and walks the first batter he faces, Fernando Tatis, but strikes out Pagan to end a long eighth.

• The Nationals mount a rally in the ninth with back to back RBI doubles by Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn, who collect their 97th and 101st RBI’s of the year after a one-out infield single by Ian Desmond. Josh Willingham takes strike three, Elijah Dukes walks and Francisco Rodriguez comes on to get the last out with a backwards K of Cristian Guzman.

The Mets clinch 4th and the season series with the Washington Nationals, going up 10-5 with 4 games remaining.

GAME REPORT:

Washington Nationals At New York Mets. Game 149 Of 162.

Willie Harris smacks a 1-2 pitch right to Jeff Francoeur, who catches the first out of the day. Ian Desmond flies out to Carlos Beltran in center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to short, Wilson Valdez fires from deep in the hole to get Mets’ right-hander John Maine through a scoreless first...Angel Pagan doubles to the wall in right with a low liner on an 0-2 pitch that DC righty Garrett Mock leaves up in the zone. Ryan Zimmerman charges and throws out Luis Castillo on what would have been a bunt single but is instead a sac. David Wright stares a full-count curve all the way in for a called strike three. Carlos Beltran grounds out to second and Alberto Gonzalez’s throw ends the first...

Adam Dunn grounds to first, Daniel Murphy tosses it a little to high to the covering pitcher. Josh Willingham pops out behind the plate. Elijah Dukes hits a one-hop liner to Luis Castillo to end the second scoreless frame for Maine...Daniel Murphy rips a line drive to the outfield just right of center and an odd bounce off the wall turns a double into a triple. Garrett Mock busts Jeff Francoeur inside with a two-strike fastball for a swinging K. Josh Thole grounds back to the mound and off Mock’s glove, and Ian Desmond tries for the play at home, but the throw is late. 1-0 NY. Wilson Valdez grounds to short, Desmond fields, steps on second and throws to first, double play.

Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to short. Jamie Burke in his first DC AB, works the count full and walks. Garrett Mock pops up a bunt, but it drops in for a sac. Willie Harris pops out to Angel Pagan in left to end the third scoreless for John Maine...Maine pops out in his first AB of the day. Angel Pagan drops a soft liner into short center for a one-out single off Mock. Luis Castillo lines to right to put two on for David Wright. David Wright grounds back to Mock, who takes out the runner at second but can’t get a DP, Desmond holds on to it after struggling on the exchange. Carlos Beltran singles up the middle on a two-seam fastball outside. 2-0 NY as Pagan scores from third. Daniel Murphy hits a carbon-copy of his first triple, though this time it’s a two-run double off the wall in right center. 4-0 NY. Jeff Francoeur pops out to end the third.

Ian Desmond gets jammed and pops out to Beltran in short center. Ryan Zimmerman pops out to Daniel Murphy foul of first. Adam Dunn pops out to left...Josh Thole grounds out to second base to start the Mets’ fourth. Wilson Valdez takes a one-out walk from Mock. John Maine K’s trying to bunt with two strikes. Angel Pagan up when Valdez gets caught trying to steal second. Jamie Burke throws out the first baserunner who tests him, nailing Valdez on the attempted stolen base.

Josh Willingham singles to right for the Nationals’ first hit. Elijah Dukes pops out to second on the first pitch he sees. Dukes doesn’t run to first, Castillo catches it anyway, sparing Dukes embarrassment. Alberto Gonzalez punches a hit and run single through second. Jamie Burke K’s swinging through a high fastball from Maine and Garrett Mock grounds out to end DC’s fifth, stranding two...Angel Pagan grounds to second base for the first out of NY’s fifth. Mock’s still in, and he gives up a single to Luis Castillo, who promptly takes second for the first SB off the Nationals’ catcher. David Wright flies to deeep center on a 3-0 pitch. Castillo takes third. Carlos Beltran grounds to third, and Ryan Zimmerman makes it look easy. 4-0 NY after five.

Elmer Dessens takes over for the Mets in the sixth inning. David Wright and Wilson Valdez converge on a foul pop from Willie Harris, but they both let it drop. Harris flies out to short left. Ian Desmond’s robbed on a scorched single to second that Daniel Murphy dives for and stabs. Two down. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Pagan to end a quick sixth...Daniel Murphy pops out to Ian Desmond in short left. Desmond throws out Jeff Francoeur on a weak grounder to short. Mock walks Thole with two down. Wilson Valdez flies out to Dukes in right. Still 4-0 NY.

Adam Dunn starts the seventh against Dessens with a fly ball out to Pagan in left. Josh Willingham pops out to Luis Castillo at second. Elijah Dukes flies out to Carlos Beltran in center. 7.0 scoreless frames...Pinch hitter Cory Sullivan vs Mock to start the seventh. Mock throws a high fastball by Sullivan for a swinging K. Angel Pagan sneaks a fly ball to center in front of Willie Harris. Luis Castillo grounds to second, Alberto Gonzalez takes out the lead runner. David Wright up with two down, one on. Mock strikes Wright out with another fastball up and in.

Sean Green starts the eighth for NY against Alberto Gonzalez. Gonzalez grounds out to short for Wilson Valdez. Pinch Hittin’ Pete Orr grounds out to second. Josh Bard grounds out to second too to end the eighth scoreless for the Nationals...Carlos Beltran smokes a low liner to right for a leadoff single. Daniel Murphy lines to second with Beltran running, Alberto Gonzalez fields and throws to first, double play. Jeff Francoeur walks with two down. Mets’ catcher Josh Thole takes the second two-out walk and DC Manager Jim Riggleman’s seen enough. Victor Garate vs WIlson Valdez. Two-run triple to right for Valdez, 6-0 NY. Logan Kensing replaces Garate and walks Fernando Tatis with two down. Angel Pagan K’s swinging through a full-count fastball to end the eighth.

Brian Stokes takes over in the ninth. Willie Harris pops out to the catcher. Ian Desmond hits an excuse-me single a foot in front of home and beats it out. Ryan Zimmerman hits an RBI line drive to left center to finally get the Nationals on the board, Desmond scores, Zimmerman in at second, 6-1 NY. Adam Dunn doubles Zimmerman in from second with an RBI single, 6-2. Josh Willingham takes a two-strike slider outside for a backwards K. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk. Cristian Guzman will have to face Francisco Rodriguez. Guzman flinches at a backdoor change inside that breaks into the zone for a called strike three. Mets win, 6-2 final.

Nationals now 51-98.

Friday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:51:11 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y Huh - AP

Trevor Hoffman celebrates with Mike Rivera after they defeated the Chicago Cubs Thursday.

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Some things to read while giving up the search for intelligent life.

This morning's Mug is the abbreviated version. Gorman's been sick overnight (and for most of the day yesterday), and I want to get him to the vet ASAP. Thanks for understanding.

Brewer coaches met with Yovani Gallardo yesterday and are expected to announce a course of action today. Expect them to announce he'll make his remaining starts on a limited pitch count. He needs three strikeouts for 200.
The Brewers went 5-2 on the road trip. This would be more exciting if you'd been in a coma since April.
Jody Gerut hit a grand slam yesterday. The Bucky Channel is coming around on him.
Dave Bush hit Milton Bradley with a pitch yesterday, and is now tied for first in the majors with 14.
Prince Fielder was intentionally walked yesterday, giving him 99 walks on the season, tying the franchise record.
A Girl's View of the Brewers makes the case for Casey McGehee for Rookie of the Year.
Braden Looper's start this week was his 30th of 2009, raising the cost of his mutual option for 2010 to $6.5 million.
The Astros come to Milwaukee tonight and Jose Valverde will meet them there after spending the week at home battling flulike symptoms.
Rattler Radio has an update on the Baseball World Cup. Canada beat Japan yesterday in extra innings, and Efrain Nieves could start for Puerto Rico today.
The New York Daily News has the Brewers 15th in their power rankings. Yahoo has them 18th and Beyond the Box Score has them 23rd.
The Mariners traded catcher Jamie Burke to the Nationals for cash.
The Orioles placed pitcher Kam Mickolio on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Today in 1980, Gary Ward hit for the cycle for the Twins, and the Brewers won anyway, 9-8.
Happy birthday to Jody Gerut, who turns 32.

Drink up.

Monday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:28:03 -0000

More photos » by Jim Prisching - AP

Ryan Sadowski is the fourth pitcher in 2009 to lead his team to victory over the Brewers in his major league debut.

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Some things to read while trying out new games with your cats.

So, with yesterday's loss to the debuting Ryan Sadowski, the Brewers dropped to 0-4 when facing a pitcher making his major league debut. As if that wasn't enough, Sadowski was the first Giant to win his major league debut since Joe Nathan did it in 1999. Afterwards, he received a pie to the face.

Was Sadowski aided by the sun? Ryan Braun has some suggestions for improving the environment for hitters during day games at Miller Park. Prince Fielder, as you may recall, also complained about the glare through the outfield panels last week. The glare wasn't strong enough to prevent the Giants from going to town on Jeff Suppan, though.

Elsewhere in the Brewer rotation:

Seth McClung will get another shot to prove he belongs in the rotation full time. He'll start against the Cubs this weekend.
Keep Turning Up The Heat worries the Brewers are putting too much strain on Yovani Gallardo, who exceeded 110 pitches in his outing Saturday, the fifth time this season he's reached that mark.
Tyler Maas of Bugs & Cranks prefers the Brewers' internal options for the starting rotation.

Now that the Giants are out of town, the Mets will stop by today to open a three game series. Some Mets, though, don't want to stay in the Pfister Hotel, fearing paranormal activity. Sounds like we're going to have a story about the Pfister during every homestand for the rest of the season.

Of course, not all unusual activity in Milwaukee happens at the Pfister: Bengie Molina nearly had a close encounter of the sausage kind during his visit.

Craig Counsell is hoping to be back in the lineup for tonight's game with the Mets. Counsell sat out yesterday's game with a mild hamstring strain, but was available to pinch hit.

If Counsell isn't ready to go today, it'll probably mean more playing time for Casey McGehee, who has almost certainly been the most pleasant surprise of the first half of the season. Miller Park Drunk says McGehee has something in common with Pauly Shore and Kirk Cameron.

The Brewers appear to have gotten a pretty good deal on Trevor Hoffman, who Jon Heyman ranks as the second best free agent signing of the offseason. If the season ended right now Hoffman would be a Type A free agent, according to MLB Trade Rumors' Elias Rankings. The Brewers would also have three Type B free agents: Jason Kendall, Braden Looper and Mike Cameron.

Tom H. laments the Brewers lack of upper-level pitching prospects this morning, and lists the organization's top ten arms, with quick profiles and projected major league debuts. With the recent suspension of Jeremy Jeffress the ranks have become thinner than ever. Elsewhere in the minors:

Around 1 o'clock this morning, Eric Arnett tweeted that he'll be making his first big league start "tomorrow." I'm assuming he means tonight, but covering my bases in case he really meant tomorrow.
Alex Periard, who has missed most of the season after suffering shoulder soreness in spring training, has been promoted from Wisconsin to Brevard County. He was expected to spend 2009 in Huntsville, and could be there soon.
Taylor Green, meanwhile, is back on the DL, most likely with some kind of ribcage issue. Green is having a pretty forgettable 2009: He's been hitting very well when he's played (1.138 OPS in A, .833 in AA), but has appeared in just 39 games between Wisconsin and Huntsville.
John Sickels of Minor League Ball listed Cody Scarpetta as a potential sleeper before the season, and continues to project a bright future for him.
19th round pick Scott Krieger got his pro career off to a nice start, hitting three home runs last night in Helena's 15-10 win over Missoula.
Perhaps we already knew this, but it's new info to me: Brock Kjeldgaard's 113 strikeouts in 75 Pioneer League games last season set a new league record.

It's widely acknowledged that J.J. Hardy's early season struggles can be at least partially attributed to bad luck, but is it possible his skills are also declining at the plate? Brewed Sports noticed that Hardy's line drive percentage has decreased in each of the last four seasons, and a much smaller percentage of his fly balls are becoming home runs.

On power rankings:

The Hardball Times' Dartboard has the Brewers at #14.
Beyond the Box Score's Poor Man's Projected Standings have the Brewers finishing second in the Central.

Also, I'm not sure how the Racing Sausages missed the cut, but Bernie Brewer gets an early chapter in 30 Year Old Cardboard's latest book idea.

Around the majors:

Astros: Designated Brandon Backe for assignment.
Blue Jays: Placed catcher Rod Barajas on the DL with a hamstring strain.
Cardinals: Acquired Mark DeRosa from the Indians for pitcher Chris Perez and a PTBNL, and are expected to place Khalil Greene on the DL as he continues to deal with anxiety issues.
Mariners: Designated catcher Jamie Burke for assignment for the third time this season, and acquired Ryan Langerhans from the Nationals for infielder Mike Morse.
Orioles: Placed Koji Uehara on the DL with elbow tendinitis.
Rangers: Placed pitcher Matt Harrison on the DL with shoulder soreness.
Rays: Designated reliever Winston Abreu for assignment.
Tigers: Placed Nate Robertson on the DL with a mass in his left elbow.

Manny Parra had a rough outing in AAA last night, allowing seven runs (six earned) on five hits and five walks in just 4.2 innings. Meanwhile, Pirates starter Ian Snell reacted to his demotion the way we'd hoped Parra would react to his. Snell struck out 17 in his AAA debut, including 13 in a row at one point.

Not everyone was having a hard time making contact, though: in the California League, Lake Elsinore defeated (former Brewer affiliate) High Desert 33-18.

Oh, and happy birthday to Hernan Iribarren (25) and Cutter Dykstra (20).

Drink up.

Beavers in the Pros Update, Part 1: MLB and AAA

Jake Bertalotto — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:00:19 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

5 months ago: Boston Red Sox's Jacoby Ellsbury hits a single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Tuesday, June 23, 2009, in Washington. Red Sox won 11-3. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

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Today we are talking a general look at how former OSU baseball players are doing in the minor leagues. We'll start by taking a look at players who are either in Triple-A or the Major Leagues, then move on to Double-A and Single-A.

Andy Baldwin is 5-4 in 14 starts this season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. This is now his second year in Triple-A, and he has yet to get the call to the major leagues like many of his teammates. His ERA is currently at 4.81, and he's struck out 49 batters in 82 innings. Two weeks ago, Baldwin got to start in PGE Park against the Beavers in front of family and friends... he allowed three runs, seven hits and one walk over seven innings for the win.

Brian Barden is back in the minor leagues after a short but somewhat fruitful stint with the St. Louis Cardinals. In the month of April with the Cards, Barden hit .385 in 21 games, with 19 of them coming at third base. For his efforts, he received National League Rookie of the Month honors. But when May rolled around, things changed for Brian. His batting average fell to .235 during the month, and when the Cardinals needed help in the bullpen to get ready for interlague play, Brian was the one sent down. Known for his defense, Brian seemed to be providing much more than the coaching staff was looking for with his stellar offense in April. Barden is currently hitting .205 with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds in 39 at-bats. Kenji Johjima

Jamie Burke is in the major leagues with the Seattle Mariners... for now. After a stint as back-up catcher to Kenji Johjima last season, Burke was again called up when Kenji broke his big toe earlier this month. However, Burke struggled offensively in eight starts while Johjima was gone, and currently carries a .122 batting average. Rob Johnson was also called up from Tacoma after Burke began to struggle, and has been playing the majority of innings in front of Burke. Johjima is expected to return to the Mariners today, which means Jaime is likely headed back to Tacoma.

Jacoby Ellsbury continues to shine in Boston, although Terry Francona is still trying to find a role for the Madras, Ore. native. Ellsbury had been hitting in the leadoff spot before he recently dropped to No. 7 because he wasn't getting on base enough. But since the switch, Ellsbury's on base percentage is up near .500, and his average is above .300. In Tuesday's series opener against the Nationals, Ellsbury went 4-for-4 with a walk. Right now, it seems like the Red Sox are trying to not change Jacoby, and let him be what he is. If the number seven spot works best, they should be happy to leave him there.

Cole Gillespie is well into his Triple-A career after making the jump from the Single-A Brevard County Manatees to the Nashville Sounds at the beginning of the season. After just 12 games with the Manatees, Cole was hitting .349. He is since hitting .223 in 56 games with Nashville, putting his combined batting average at .248.

Eddie Kunz is still engaged in a lengthy audition to be the eighth inning set-up guy for the Mets, but he still has some kinks to work out. Kunz has struggled against lefties for some time-- righties are hitting .157 against him, while lefties are hitting .265. Scouts are worried that his "violent" delivery will damper his control, which means that he could be used only situationally in the big leagues against right handed hitters. He currently has a 4-2 record with the Buffalo Bisons, and has a 2.48 ERA.

Aaron Matthews has methodically moved his way through the Blue Jays' minor league system, and is now playing with the Triple-A Las Vegas 51's of the Pacific Coast League. The John Day, Ore. native is currently batting .280 with the 51's in his fifth year as a professional baseball player. Matthews is a fan favorite in Las Vegas due to the effort he displays in the outfield and behind the plate.

Mark McLemore is back with the Triple-A Round Rock Express after reconstructive elbow surgery kept him off of the mound for two years. He's 1-3 since his return on June 1 with a 4.21 ERA.

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

Polar Mariners stand in the way of Rockies' season best streak

Poseidon's Fist — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:52:19 -0000

More photos » by Ann Heisenfelt - AP

Don Wakamatsu has managed the Mariners to a significant number of close wins in 2009.

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Sorry, I'm not a lit or philosophy guy. I'm a different kind of geek. Regarding momentum:

A body in motion stays in motion, unless it is acted on by an external force.

After sweeping consecutive NL Central leaders on the road, the Rockies have to hope that the switch to Coors Field and interleague play is too weak of a force to slow their blinding momentum and league best eight game winning streak. Perhaps it will even be an extra boost to a team that has played more road games than any MLB club.

In the Rockies' first home interleague series, Colorado draws the Seattle Mariners. After acquiring Erik Bedard before last season, Seattle stumbled out to the second-worst MLB record in 2008, which enabled them to draft Dustin Ackley this week. They have bounced back this year and are currently tied for second place in the open AL West.

Don Wakamatsu's club raced out to a 7-2 record, then coasted to a 13-9 April record. May was on the flip side, thanks to a 1-9 stretch and an 11-18 record overall. Seattle has rebounded to a 6-3 record in June and is on a two game win streak.

Some interesting team stats: Seattle is a respectable 14-16 on the road. Those 14 road wins represent the second most of any team without a winning record. We are first, with 17 after winning eight in nine days. Also, the Mariners have been involved in 27 one-run games. No other MLB club has been in more than 21. They have used it to their advantage, winning 15 of the 27, meaning exactly half of their wins have come by just one run. Perhaps it isn't surprising, then to know that they have been outscored by 21 this year.

The Rockies are 10-13 against Seattle in interleague play history - 4-4 at home, 6-9 on the road. We have won only two series against the Mariners in club history, one in 1997, and one coming the last time the two teams faced: June 30-July 2, 2006. That series will always be remembered by Josh Fogg's career performance, as he threw a CG SO while facing only 27 men.

Also, this series offers an additional excuse to check out Lookout Landing, perhaps the best MLB SBNation team blog from a statistics point-of-view.

Seattle Mariners (30-30, W2, t-2nd)

Friday-Sunday : 3-game series at Coors Field

The Bats: F

Bringing in Ken Griffey Jr was a popular move, but his production is not replacing their last ancient LF, Raul Ibanez, who is only the most valuable OF in the entire NL right now. Twelve year veteran Russell Branyan is on a career pace (over 40 HR in fact) in his second season of being a full-time starter. Ichiro will always be dangerous, but the rest of that lineup is abysmal. And by abysmal, I mean putrid. And by putrid, I mean absolutely god-awful.

The Mariners check in with a .310 team wOBA (the Rockies have 11 hitters higher), which is better than only Oakland and San Francisco. Worse, they have scored the least amount of runs in MLB. They also sport the league's worst OBP and one of the worst BB/K rates. They don't even slug all that well - thir team SLG is worse than Dexter Fowler.

LINEUP	Avg	HR	RBI
Ichiro - RF	.360	5	17
Russell Branyan - 1B	.317	14	29
Adrian Beltre - 3B	.258	4	28
Ken Griffey Jr - LF	.215	6	16
Jose Lopez - 2B	.241	8	36
Yuniesky Betancourt - SS	.242	2	19
Franklin Gutierrez - CF	.261	3	19
Jamie Burke - C	.167	1	1

Wakamatsu's lineup could very much be in flux. Junior has been the DH all season, so putting him in the outfield robs starts for Wladimir Balentein and Endy Chavez. Given Jr's age and the spacious Coors OF, he figures to take a seat at least once in the series. IF's Mike Sweeney (former Royal) and Ronny Cedeno (former Cub) could see time as well. With Kenji Johjima on the DL and Jeff Clement in AAA, the Mariners feature two stop-gap catchers in Jamie Burke and Guillermo Quiroz. But we know that a stopgap catcher can still be dangerous.

The Arms: A-

It's hard to complain about a pitching staff that has a better ERA than any team sans the Dodgers. The starters are doing their job, as evidenced by the Mariners having the fifth least relief appearances. But none of the peripheral stats seem to support that low of an ERA - most barely crack the top ten. Not surprisingly, then, they have the third largest negative split in ERA/FIP, but a 4.10 FIP is still very good.

Brandan Morrow lost his closer job mid-May after two horrific blown saves against Texas. He has been replaced by Colorado native David Aardsma, who has 11 saves (8 as official closer) with one blown save and a sparkling 1.78 ERA. We will luckily miss Felix Hernandez in the series, but the three starters we do draw have ERAs at 3.07 or below.

The D: C

Only three teams have made more errors than the 46 Seattle has committed, but they are 10th in UZR/150.

Probable Pitchers:

Tonight, 7:10 pm MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jarrod Washburn	3-4	3.07	1.19	50	18

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Ubaldo Jimenez	4-6	3.91	1.38	66	31

Saturday, June 13, 6:10 pm MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Erik Bedard	5-2	2.47	1.16	65	22

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jason Marquis	8-4	3.98	1.34	39	28

Sunday, June 14, 1:10 MDT

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jason Vargas	2-1	2.35	1.20	23	10

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2009 - Jason Hammel	3-3	4.33	1.54	36	15

For the third straight series, the Rockies draw a hot star. Ichiro (10-for-24 last 7 days) is on fire. Adrian Beltre (9-for-23) and Jose Lopez (8-for-24, 3 HR) are raking as well. Yesterday, the Mariners allowed three runs in a win. It was the first time they allowed more than two runs in any game in June.

Ken Griffey Jr (3-for-19) has continued to show age recently. Gutierrez, Cedeno, Betancourt, Chavez and Balentein are all below .154 hitting the last week as well.

Ryan Rowland-Smith (triceps), Carlos Silva (shoulder), Kenji Johima (toe), Ray Corcoran (neck) and Shawn Kelly are all on the 15-day DL. Franklin Gutierrez (knee) and Rob Johnson (foot) are listed as questionable.

Poll

Can this streak survive the Mariners?

Yes - this team cannot be stopped right now. They are beating good teams and aces. 11 game win streak!

63 votes

No - We have to drop one eventually, but I can't see us losing this series

108 votes

No - The last week was an aberration. Our pitching can't continue their streak at Coors Field. We'll get one, but that's all.

38 votes

No - Those starting pitchers are going to shut us DOWN. Notify the bandwagon fans to return to hibernation

35 votes

244 votes | Poll has closed

Mariners Take Weekend Series From Twins

Jesse — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:32:30 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

6 months ago: Seattle Mariners catcher Jamie Burke, left, cannot tag out Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer (7) at the plate as he scores in the fifth ining of a baseball game, Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Safeco Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

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"Here it is, Charlie Brown Minnesota Twins. Here's the football baseball, kick hit it!" -Lucy Seattle Mariners

The Mariners gave the Twins their opportunities. Erik Bedard's control came and went, much like Charlie Brown's dignity, and (still like the bald-headed try-hard) Minnesota failed to punch it home when it counted.

A lot of this one has to be laid at the feet of Kevin Slowey. Three home runs in four-and-two-thirds, all after I'd made a point to bring up the fact that Slowey'd been pretty good recently at keeping the ball in the yard. Woops. To his credit they were all solo shots, which limited the damage. Russell Branyan's mammoth shot in the first came on Kevin's ninth consecutive fastball which, if you read the game thread, I called. Not that I'm proud of it, but the man has a big swing. You could see it coming.

The shame was that the other two home runs came off Jose Lopez (who was hitting .227/.267/.353 coming into the game) and Jamie Burke (who had two home runs in his career coming into the game). It was unfortunate because home plate umpire CB Bucknor was consistently giving the pitcher the outside corner of the plate...and then some. Kevin clearly didn't have his best stuff tonight, but I thought he'd take advantage of what was being given. He has strikeout capability and enough pitches to keep hitters off balance, but tonight it didn't happen.

For his part, Bedard got himself out of trouble as much as the Twins helped him get out of it. On a few occasions he found himself in three-ball counts, only to fight back and get the out. He only allowed four hits over his five innings, but because of the inconsistent control racked up the pitches; he also walked four. The only time he caved was in the top of the fifth, when he allowed the Twins to knot the game at two.

Denard Span had walked to lead off the inning before Joe Mauer doubled. Franklin Gutierrez cut the ball off and fed the ball back into play quickly, keeping Span at third. Justin Morneau grounded out to the right side and Joe Crede flied out to Ichiro Suzuki, sacrificing the out for Mauer's run, and a game that had looked shaky from the outset had turned around.

The comeback was short-lived. Lopez and Burke homered before the frame was over, and for all the base runners the Twins managed in the later innings, none would score. Four Seattle relievers combined for four scoreless innings, and Minnesota's road woes continue. It doesn't seem like it should be so, but the Mariners are a better team.

Minnesota left 12 men on base, and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Stars of the Game
#3: Luis Ayala (0.1 IP, 0 H, .020 WPA; Ayala's out with the bases loaded in the eighth kept the Twins within two runs.)
#2: R.A. Dickey (2.1 IP, H, BB, 3 K, 0 R, .065 WPA; Once again, Dickey shows hit mettle. Since the beginning of May he's pitched 21.1 innings with 13 strikeouts, just 17 hits allowed and only four runs.)
#1: Denard Span (2-for-4, R, BB, .073 WPA; Span set up the big hitters, one of few bright spots offensively.)

Tears for You
#1: Alexi Casilla (0-for-3, BB, K, 5 LOB, -.114 WPA; Alexi just didn't look good today, just overmatched.)
#2: Kevin Slowey (4.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 HR, 2 K, 2 BB, -.246 WPA; Everyone has a bad night.)
#3: Jason Kubel (0-for-4, BB, 3 LOB, -.105 WPA; Big bitter coming up in big situations, wasn't able to come through.)

Burke Re-Called, Stark Re-DFA'd, Tyler Johnson Released

Matthew — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 19:09:04 -0000

Danny O'Neil has the 411

Catcher Jamie Burke has been selected from Class Triple A Tacoma and will be starting on Sunday as Rob Johnson's in-step is injured. It's not serious enough to put him on the disabled list, but he might not be ready until the end of the upcoming series with Baltimore.

I don't know, Wak, you might want to 60-day him to be sure. Don't want to rush injuries like this. I hurt my in-step once and I know that I was unable to play baseball at a professional level for a long time afterward.

----------

I missed this yesterday, but Tyler Johnson was released. Ryan Divish with the write up:

The Mariners had hoped Johnson could be their lefty specialist in the bullpen, but he never could quite get the command and location needed to be successful.

There goes that.