let's go, marinants!

terrible mariners/giants blog

[marinants]

Mariners Marinate Taters, Savor The Taste of Victory and Silliness

Yesterday, the Mariners won in convincing fashion against the Yankees. If I could sum up the affair in one word, this would be the word: RAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL. I realize that the appropriate number of U's is up for debate. What isn't up for debate, however, is the fact that Raul Ibanez continued to flex his Yankee Stadium Muscles yesterday by hitting both a grand slam and a two-run dinger. Thus, RAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUL.

The rest of the Mariners lineup didn't do too shabby, either. Kyle Seager also joined the home run party in the sixth with a three-run shot, and the M's scored a total of 12 runs on 16 hits in this rout of the Yankees. The real turning point of the game was when Brendan Ryan came up in the top of the ninth as the only starter who hadn't gotten a hit. Dave Sims mentioned this fact on the broadcast, and then Ryan promptly reached base on a soft single to third. I don't think I'd ever been happier for Brendan Ryan than I was at that point. This season has been another struggle for him with the bat, so it was great to see him join in on the fun of a real-life Mariners offensive explosion. From Greg Johns:

Every Mariners starter had at least one hit, and the last man on board, shortstop Brendan Ryan, was grinning ear to ear after his infield single in the ninth let him join the hit parade.

"I would have risked being on crutches the rest of my life for that hit," said Ryan, who is struggling at .133 for the season. "This was great, especially here in New York. I don't know what it is -- silliness just seems to happen here. It's just never an easy win, so to explode like that in the first, especially the kind of game Raul had and how everybody feels toward him, just makes it feel that much better.

The offense wasn't the whole story for the Mariners last night. Hisashi Iwakuma had another fine outing the mound, holding the Yankees to just 2 runs in 7 innings. Felix and Iwakuma sure have packed a formidable one-two punch this season. What a far cry from the beginning of last year, when Iwakuma was just sort of floating around the pitching staff, barely being used. So far in 2013, he's been one of the top pitchers in the league, sporting a 1.54 ERA and getting through at least 6 innings in all but one start this season (when he had to be taken out early because his blister was giving him trouble). Here's hoping that Iwakuma keeps up the A++++++++ work as the M's No. 2 this season!

Other important things from this game:

The Yankees were getting blown out, so shortstop Alberto Gonzalez pitched the ninth after the Mariners got a couple more runners on. The game went from wonderful to transcendent. Vernon Wells played second base. The game went from transcendent to absolutely unforgettable.

Brendan Ryan mentioned in his quote above that "silliness just seems to happen [in New York]." During the game, ROOT Sports showed footage of some Mariners bullpen characters + Brandon Maurer hanging out in the MLB Fan Cave. Some appropriately silly screencaps:

The Mariners have won 4 out of their last 5 series. They have a chance to win yet another (and get within 1 game under .500!) with a victory today against the Yankees. Fingers crossed for more silliness!

Also, the Giants played a baseball game, but it was awful, so let's not even go there okay.

[marinants]

Felix Hernandez Is Good At Baseball

I think I've lost track of how many times I've said "[Player A] is good at baseball," whether it's been on Tumblr or Twitter or just to myself as I marvel at a player's performance on the field. It's meant as an understatement, of course. To be a major league baseball player, you are required to be more than simply good at baseball. You have to be one of the best baseball players on this entire planet if you want to play professionally at the highest level. And if you want to be considered a superstar on top of that, you have to separate yourself as the best of the best. You have to be exceptional.

When considering his abilities as a pitcher, Felix Hernandez is already exceptional. Anyone familiar with his otherworldly arsenal of pitches and his many accolades can attest to that. But because Felix is Felix, his overall athleticism takes it to the next level. Not only is Felix good at pitching baseballs, he also prides himself in fielding his position well when those baseballs make their way back toward him on the mound. And guess what, he's not too shabby with the bat, either. Let's take a look back at some of Felix's highlights as a big league hitter thus far.

June 10th, 2007: Drives in a run with a bunt single against Chris Young. Adds fuel to the heated Mariners-Padres rivalry! (Was that already a thing then? Is it really a thing now? These are the very pressing questions of our generation!!!)

June 23rd, 2008: Hits a grand slam (392 ft!) against Johan Santana at Shea Stadium. Johan Santana, who went on to finish the season with a league-leading 2.53 ERA.

June 16th, 2009: Draws a walk against the Padres' Mike Adams, who issued 7 unintentional walks in 37.0 total innings pitched (1.70 BB/9) in 2009. Going back to his grand salami game in 2008, Felix said afterwards that he basically went up to the batter's box, closed his eyes, and swung. But, as evidenced by this successful plate appearance against 2009 Mike Adams, it's quite possible that Felix has more of a plate approach than he's letting on. Felix is deceptive on the mound. Who says he isn't also deceptive with a bat in his hand?

June 24th, 2011: Singles to right field against Ricky Nolasco of the Marlins. The Mariners went on to win by a score of 5-1, which is not surprising considering the fact that the Mariners are the ones who rule the seas, not the Marlins. Another interesting note from this game, courtesy of Baseball Reference:

"Game was moved from Miami to Seattle due to a U2 concert. Game was played with NL rules and FLA received the gate and batted last."

June 23rd, 2012: Drives in two runs with a ringing double off of Jason Marquis. Why Padres pitchers continue to pitch to Felix is beyond me. He is clearly one of the Mariners' most potent offensive threats!

And now it is 2013, the year in which the Astros have migrated over to the American League, meaning that baseball fans get more interleague play than ever before. People have various opinions about this. Personally, I am a fan because more interleague games means more chances for AL pitchers to swing the bat. "AL Pitchers Hitting" is one of my favorite baseball things*, especially since one of those AL pitchers is Felix "The Babe" Hernandez, who is due to appear on the mound and in the box against AJ Burnett and the Pirates at PNC Park on Wednesday. Judging by the following shots from the Mariners-Blue Jays game on Sunday, Felix is more than ready to drive in some runs:

My prediction for Wednesday:

May 8th, 2013: Comes up with the bases loaded. Has an 18-pitch battle standing in against Burnett. Hits second career grand slam on 18th pitch. Goes on to pitch a complete game shutout. Spends the rest of the day upholding justice and fighting crime.

Getting a chance to watch Felix pitch is already a treat. Getting a chance to watch Felix pitch and hit is more than I could ever ask for. Because Felix Hernandez is good at baseball.

*Other favorite baseball things include "Relief Pitchers Hitting," "Position Players Pitching," and "Pitchers Stealing Bases (With Their Jackets On)."