2012 Mariners Season Thread

[Edgartohof]

Unfortunately Kevin Millwood did not bring his A-Game last night, giving up a Leadoff HR in the 1st inning and 2 more runs in the 5th while striking out 0. But It was good enough to keep us in the mix. The clear Game MVP was Michael Saunders who batted 2nd last night and went 3-4 with 2 Runs, two 2-run HR's (!) for a total of 4 RBI!

This gives them their 6th consecutive Win and their 13th win at Safeco in their past 14 games! They are now 31-30 at home this year (after starting with a horrible home record) and only 5 games under .500 (59-64). The team has put up a 23-13 record since the All-Star break, the best record in the AL in that time.

Left Fielder Trayvon Robinson set a Mariner's single game record of 10 Putouts, just one off of the record for Left Fielders, previously set in 1950 and 1969.


Now we sit and wait for the next game, The encore game for King Felix Hernandez! This will be his first start since his Perfect game on August 15th!

For those who did not hear, the normal 800 member "Kings Court" will be expanded to a "Supreme Court" tonight as the first 34,000 Fans will receive Yellow Shirts commemorating the event! So Show up early and Stay Late!

[Edgartohof]

30 minutes until game time! Felix will be on the mound. I cannot be at the game (work) but will definitely be listening on the radio and watching on tv when I get a moment. Realistically it is unlikely for something like that to happen right away but one can still dream to see perfection again...

[Edgartohof]

Not a perfect game or a no-hitter but not a bad performance from Felix tonight!

Felix gave up a hit just a couple pitches into the top of the 1st inning but other than a couple singles was lights out for the first several innings. The M's struck first with a solo shot from none other than hot hitting Eric Thames! This was his 3rd HR in his 18 games with the club. That HR came in the bottom of the 5th and was the first hit for the Mariner's against Cleveland's own Hernandez (Roberto Hernandez, formerly 3 years younger Fausto Carmona). The game remained 1-0 Mariner's until the 7th when Felix gave up a handful of singles and gave up the tying run. The Mariner's responded with a walk and a couple of quick hits including a ground rule double by Jaso (who is hitting quite well), followed up by a 3-Run HR by Jesus Montero who was the DH tonight.

Felix gave up his first and only walk in the top of the 8th and after recording 2 outs was replaced by Luetge who also finished out the game to record his 2nd Save of the season.

Felix is now 12-5 this season with a 2.54 ERA and is 8-0 with a 1.53 ERA over his past 13 starts (100 IP, 95 SO).

This was the Mariner's 7th win in a row and 9 of 10! They are now 60-64, just a few games under .500 and with in sight distance of the Angels (63-60).

So if the Halo's slip just slightly and we can keep it up, we are out of the basement... is that sunlight I see? I think so!

[Edgartohof]

8th consecutive win for the Mariner's!!! 15 out of their last 16 at home!

Saunders started it off with a solo HR in the first to give us the early lead. This was his 4th HR in as many games, with 1 on the 19th, 2 on the 20th and another today. This brings his season totals to a team leading 14. But it was none other than Eric Thames who put the final nail in the coffin with a 2 RBI double in the 8th inning against Cleveland relief picher Pestano.

Seager was also 2-4 with a run and Jason was 1-2 with a run and 2 walks (one IBB). The offense is still not astounding but with the pitching being what it is, it is enough for the moment. That puts them at 61-64 on the season and the team is feeling good and so am I.

[Edgartohof]

Does anyone know what this year is reminding me of? No? Guess.

A team is in last place and makes a 2nd half run for it? Still no?

Anyone getting Refuse to Lose feelings here? 1995 anyone?

Don't know about you but that just popped into my head the other day and it is sticking. The talk about the clubhouse and how the team is doing and how they are doing it, it just is giving me the feeling that something big could happen. And correct me if I am wrong but aren't there 2 Wild Card spots this season? 1995 anyone? Sure there is still a big gap to close but stranger things have happened.

So what say you Mariner's faithful?

[Edgartohof]

I was thinking this game was done for as we were down 7-2 going into the 9th, but now we are down only one run as we put in 4 runs in the 9th!!!

Right now we sit with 2 on (1st and 3rd) with 2 outs! John Jaso is at the plate!!! "Mr. Clutch" they call him with a team leading 13 game winning hits!

We shall see...!!!

[Edgartohof]

THE MARINER'S JUST TOOK THE LEAD 8-7!!!!!

6 runs so far in the 9th!!!

[Edgartohof]

We are now headed into the bottom of the 9th inning with an 8-7 lead against the White Sox! Our 8 game win streak is on the line. We just went in a matter of minutes from ready to have to start a new streak to just 3 outs from continuing it - We just CAN'T QUIT!

[Edgartohof]

It all comes down to Tom Wilhelmsen and the Mariner's amazing Defense.

Wilhelmsen is looking for his 20th save of the season, the M's looking for their 9th win in a row and looking to preserve one of their best 9th inning comebacks ever.

[Edgartohof]

Wilhelmsen is a little shaky so far... put a couple on, one in (tied the game) and Dunn is at the plate. Dunn already has 2 HR tonight, so this is a bit tenuous... Oh, and no outs yet...

[Blue387]

That was a terrible way to end a game tonight.

[Edgartohof]

yes it was...

It was very exciting but our usually wonderful bullpen gave it up...

[Edgartohof]

Despite a poor showing against the White Sox, we got back on track today behind the masterful pitching of King Felix!

He threw his 5th CG Shutout of the season! He went the full 9 innings, 5 hits, 1 BB, 5 SO, 0 runs!

He lowered his ERA to 2.43, and with Price having a bad game, takes the lead in ERA! He is also once again leading the AL in IP, doing so as he won his 13th game (13-5 this season). He is on pace for another 240-250 innings this season, showing himself to be quite the workhorse. This is his 7th consecutive season with 190+ IP, and is just about to reach his 5th season in a row with 200+ IP. His WHIP is down to a low 1.027.

He is definitely back in the Cy Young race, right there with Verlander, Price and Weaver.

Verlander is having another great year (leading all AL pitchers in WAR), Price is 2nd in ERA and Weaver is up there in most categories including a tie for the the AL lead in Wins with 16.

Felix is 1st in ERA, 1st in IP, 3rd in SO, a good bit of wins, good W/L% (.722), that with his Perfect Game and 5 CG Shutouts, hard to top that and it looks like he is still picking up the pace while those like Weaver (4.85 ERA in 4 starts this month, including a CG Shutout himself).

Felix on the other hand has a 1.08 ERA this month and is 9-0 since June 17, this over 14 starts, 109 IP with 100 SO and a WHIP OF 0.798!

So henceforth begins my push for support for Felix for Cy Young this year!

[Edgartohof]

If there is nothing else going for the M's this year, at least we are doing better than Boston... that is a small salve for me at least...

[Blue387]

Is something wrong with Felix? He lost his third straight game today.