Mariners slugfest too much for the Halos

With the Red Sox out of Seattle the Mariners were looking to have better success against their American League West rival. Safeco Joe Saunders took to the mound looking for his first win against his former team and looked to win his third game in a row. Saunders had an easy start to his night as he threw 15 pitches in the first inning. After Brad Miller grounded out Michael Saunders singled up the middle. Raul Ibanez continued his amazing season as he lined the ball into right center field that allowed Michael to score and on the relay to home Ibanez was thrown out trying to extend his double into a triple, so the Mariners took the 1-0 lead once again. Safeco Joe got into a jam in the top of the second inning, things went a little south after Joe gave up doubles to both Mark Trumbo and Alberto Callaspo. Joe caught a break on the second double as Justin Smoak couldn't catch the pop out, when the ball finally landed Trumbo tagged up from second and got in safely to third.

Safeco Joe got out of the inning by striking out Chris Iannetta and Collin Cowgill, so the Angels left both runners on and Joe escaped without surrendering a run. Kyle Seager lead off the bottom of the second by extending both his hitting streak to 13 games and the Mariners streak of hitting a homerun in consecutive games to 20 with his 15th homerun of the year. Thanks to Seager's homerun the Mariners took the 2-0 lead after two innings. The Mariners opened up a can of whooping in the bottom of the fourth inning as Ibanez lead things off by sending his 24th homerun of the year into the Hit It Here Café, his homer measured an impressive 438ft. Kendrys Morales singled up the middle and following that Seager drew an eight pitch walk. After Smoak flew out for the first out of the inning Mike Zunino put the Mariners up 4-0 with an RBI single to left, next Dustin Ackley hit a perfect ground ball into center field that allowed Seager to come in and score to put the Mariners up 5-0.

After Ackley's single manager Mike Scioscia had seen enough and relieved Jerome Williams and brought in Garrett Richards to try and stop the bleeding. On only the second pitch Richards threw one in the dirt that bounced behind the plate and allowed Zunino to score and Ackley moved up to second. Richards recovered and struck out Brendan Ryan and Miller to end the inning, so after four innings the Mariners had a comfortable 6-0 lead. Safeco Joe kept the Angels at bay by not surrendering a run for the rest of his start. Saunders threw seven shutout innings and struck out 5 batters. Saunders had 101 entering the seventh inning and finished his night off with an eight pitch 1-2-3 inning. Ibanez added another run for the Mariners in the bottom of the seventh inning by hitting his second homerun of the night, Morales followed up Ibanez' homerun with a homerun of his own so the Mariners took the 8-0 lead.

Danny Farquhar came in the top of the eighth inning. Farquhar's relief appearance went south very quickly, the first batter he faced was Erick Aybar and lined one to Seager at third and thanks to a bad bounce Seager couldn't handle the ground ball so Aybar legged out the infield single. Mike Trout then tripled home the Angels first run of the game and after a mound visit Albert Pujols singled home Trout to put the score at 8-2. After Farquhar struck out Howie Kendrick manager Eric Wedge decided to bring in a left hander to throw to Josh Hamilton. Lucas Luetge came in and threw only two pitches and gave up a double to Hamilton after that Wedge made another pitching change to try and get out of a potential disastrous inning. Yoervis Medina came in and got the final two outs but allowed the third run to come in and score. Medina would come back out in the ninth and got a 1-2-3 inning to finish the game off.

NOTES: The Mariners put their record to 41-52 and Joe Saunders put his record to 8-8. Tomorrow Felix Hernandez will take the mound and go against Jered Weaver. Hernandez does not have a great record when going up against Weaver as he is 1-6 when pitching against Weaver. Weaver will look to win his third game in a row.

Morales's wins it for the Mariners

Jeremy Bonderman looked to go out and win his first game since his second start. The Mariners would begin the game off on an ok note, Nick Franklin got the first hit of the game and then later stole second base but the Mariners couldn't push Franklin home to take the first inning lead. Mike Trout would start off the inning for the Angels with a lead off single on his giveaway night. The Angels gave out a Mike Trout fishhat and I have to say it was the stupidest giveaway ever.......of all time. This giveaway was even dumber then the Mariners goofy glasses night they had back in the 80s. Josh Hamilton would help out the Mariners by grounding out into a double play and following that Albert Pujols grounded out to end the inning. 

Raul Ibanez lead off the top of the second off with his fourteenth homerun of the year, following that Justin Smoak, who was recalled from Triple A, didn't wait and swung on the first pitch and hit his fourth homerun of the year. Mike Scioscia thought that a fan reached over and grabbed the ball over the railing so the umpires reviewed the play. After a few minutes the umps agreed that it was a homerun so the Mariners took the 2-0 lead.

The Mariners wouldn't get another run in that inning and in the bottom of the third inning Mark Trumbo would hurt the Mariners again with a lead off homerun for his sixteenth homerun of the year. With two outs the Angels looked like they would score another run, as Eric Aybar singled and Hank Conger walked, but thankfully Bonderman was able to get Peter Bourjos grounded one back to Bonderman to end the inning. Trout would lead off the third inning again with a single but thankfully Hamilton grounded into his second double play of the night and Pujols grounded out to end the inning.

Mike Zunino would double in the fourth inning with two outs, Michael Saunders would walk to put runners on for Brendan Ryan. Ryan would strike out to end the inning for the Mariners. In the bottom of the fifth inning Bonderman would get into a jam but got help from Josh Hamilton again as he grounded into his third double play of the night and the inning would end there. Saunders lead off the top of the seventh inning off with a single to put an insurance runner on. Brendan Ryan failed to move Saunders over as he popped an attempted bunt up in foul ground and Conger was able to run it down for the first out. 

Saunders was able to swipe his tenth stolen base but Endy Chavez wasn't able to connect with the ball and struck out. Franklin was able to draw a two out walk but Kyle Seager struck out to end the threat for the Mariners in the seventh inning. Oliver Perez was brought in the bottom of the seventh inning for Bonderman, Chris Iannetta drew the lead off walk. Perez was able to bounce back and get Bourjos to line out and got both Trout and Hamilton to strikeout.

Tom Wilhelmsen was brought in the bottom of the eighth inning and didn't start off on a good note as Pujols blasted away not only the game tying homerun but Bonderman's second win of the season. Wilhelmsen would go 1-2-3 after that but in the bottom of the ninth Tommy boy would allow a lead off base hit and walk the second batter, he was able to strikeout Bourjos and get Trout to fly out and after that Eric Wedge brought in Charlie Furbush to face Hamilton.

 Furbush would strikeout the struggling Hamilton, who went 0-5 in tonight's game and was booed as always with his poor performance. In the top of the tenth inning Seager was able to get his 20th double of the year with two outs, Kendrys Morales then got a John Jaso-like clutch hit that scored Seager and the Mariners took the 3-2 lead. Yoervis Medina was called on to close the game for the Mariners. Medina went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the tenth and the Mariners took game 2 of the four game series from the Angels.

Felix will get the ball for tomorrow and I have a good bet that Henry Blanco will be behind the plate to catch King Felix. With tonight's bounce back win the Mariners now improve to 32-40 and move back into 3rd place and 10.5 games back of first place.

Felix win's it for a fallen friend

I know I'm late on this blog but bare with me, Saturday was a tough day for me. I attend the funeral of a fallen friend of mine who was taken from me and the people who loved him. During the funeral both his mother and father had amazing words to say about Mike. They told us stories about how he loved everyone who was in his life and he was a great American solider that was taken from his friends and family too soon. 

At about 20 minutes before the service was over they showed a slideshow of pictures of Mike of his life during the slideshow I tried to hold everything together but when a picture of Mike and myself appeared when we played baseball during our senior year that is when everything just pored out. 

I couldn't hold it together and i thought i would cry loudly but i held myself together and after the service i hugged his twin brother Steven and said "its going to be tough but he is with God and is being taken care of", during that emotional hug Steve managed to make me laugh in the way Mike would make me laugh by saying "you know Mike would be laughing at both of us right now cause were crying like a bunch of big babies". 

That was Mike a guy who could make you laugh when you were feeling like shit and a man that you could trust with your life. I can honestly say that Mike Lowery was one of my best fierce friends that i ever knew and everyday ill miss him until the day we meet again in heaven.

After the funeral i made my way back home and as soon as i got home i immediatly took to the social media. I sent to tweet to the Mariners asking if they would ask Felix Hernandez (@RealKingFelix) if he would dedicate his pitching performance to Mike. I sent that tweet because both times when Mike was over in Iraq and in Afghanistan, when he got the time he always asked me how the Mariners and the Seahawks were doing and whenever i would tell him that Felix pitched I think he would get even more excited as he always loved to know how the best pitcher in baseball did. T

he day of Felix's perfect game i sent him a message telling him that Felix had made history and threw a perfect game against the Rays. It took him 3 days to see my message and as soon as he saw that message he responded to me by saying "NO FUCKING WAY! Thats awesome! I really wish i couldve seen that shit go down! Thanks for telling me Mike always appreciate updates from you". 

2 hours after the funeral i attended a gathering at Mike's mothers house for a celebration of his life and an hour before i left i recieved a DM on Twitter. When i opened the DM i just about fell down and cried, it was Felix, and he had said that he would dedicate tonight's performance to Mike and that he would guarentee a win in the process. 

That night i watched the game with Mike's family and friends as i told them what Felix had told me and they were watching every pitch. Felix's first were both easy enough but in the top of the 3rd inning Chris Iannetta lead off the inning by homering to left field and then later in the inning Mike Trout drove in another run with a sacrifice fly and the Angels took a 2-0 lead. Felix shut down the Halos for the rest of his night and in the bottom of the 6th inning Raul Ibanez lead off with a walk and then Jesus Montero crush one to center field and tied the game up at 2-2 and then in the bottom of the 7th inning is where the magic came into play. 

Both Kyle Seager and Mike Morse lead off with singles and the M's started off the inning well and after Justin Smoak struckout Kendrys Morales came through and singled home what would be the go-ahead run for the Mariners and giving them the 3-2 lead. 

Felix threw 8 strong and terrific innings as Tom Wilhelmsen came into the top of the 9th to close out an emotional game for me watching. Wilhelmsen got the job done as soon as that third out was recorded i broke down and cried for 2 minutes as Felix kept his promise, he had thrown an amazing game for Mike and had giving him a win as well. About an hour after the game when i got home from the celebration i had recieved another DM from Felix saying "This one was for your bud Mike. My he rest in peace with God and i will pray for him and his family every day". 

Felix is an incredible man. He cares so much about the city of Seattle and the M's fans that he went out on the mound and pitched in memory of someone who only cheer for him but never met in person. He promised me that the team would win and he kept his promise, this game was not only one of the best game's i have watched all year but it was also the hardest game. I say that because I know Mike wouldve loved to have seen this game in person. 

As I have said and so many others to me Mike will be missed, he is no longer suffering and is in God's pressence now and will be watching over each and everyone of his friends and family until the day we all see him in heaven. I want to thank Felix Hernandez for pitching for Mike on Saturday and for making me love baseball even more. 

This was the first time i have ever cried after a Seattle Mariners win, but they werent tears of sorrow or anger they were tears of happiness and joy. Mike this game was for you.

RIP Mike Lowery May 30,1990-April 9,2013

Power of the beards didnt help.

Well Aaron Harang took the mound for the Seattle Mariners Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels. Now Harang is one of those pitchers that you say "oh crap why must he go on the mound tonight?".  Well Friday night was bearded hat night giveaway for for the Mariners, so the power of the beards should've helped the M's win this ball game right, right? Well, that wasnt the case. Harang was horrible!!! In the first inning the Angels struck first, both Peter Bourjos and Mike Trout singled to lead off the inning and then Albert Pujols drove in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly and the Angels took the early 1-0. Thats all the Angels would get in the 1st inning then in the bottom half of the 1st it was the M's turn to try their luck against C.J. Wilson. Wilson has had great success against the Mariners with a 11-5 record in 50 games, 13 of those games he started in. The first inning was all too easy for Wilson as he got the Mariners hitters out in order. Harang got into more trouble in the top of the second, after giving up a single to Brendan Harris, Hank Conger took Harang deep and the Angels took the 3-0 lead. 

The M's went 1-2-3 again in the bottom half of the inning and in the top of the 3rd the Angels would get two more runs coming off the two-run homerun by Mark Trumbo and now the Halos had a commanding 5-0 lead. Harang was able to get out of the inning without allowing another run but after the third out his night was done and Hector Noesi would be brought in in the 4th to pitch. The bottom half of the 4th is where the Mariners got things going as Kyle Seager extended his hitting career high hitting streak to 15 games. Kendrys Morales singled followed by Mike Morse walking then loading up the bases for Justin Smoak. In Smoak's career he is 2-23 with the bases loaded, well make it 2-24 as he struckout for the first out of the inning. Kelly Shoppach helped the M's by "taking one for the team" as he was hit by a pitch that brought in Seager, but that's all the Mariners could manage as Robert Andino and Endy Chavez both struckout to end the inning. The M's managed to load the bases up again in the next inning, but once again the M's continued their struggles with hitting with runner in scoring position and Smoak put his 2-24 career batting with the bases loaded to 2-25.

The bottom of the sixth was the inning the Mariners took advantage of Wilson. Shoppach and Andino both were able to lead off with hits, Andino doubled after Shoppach singled and Chavez sacraficed home Shoppach and so the M's now trailed 5-3. Brendan Ryan put down a suicide bunt down that Andino scored on. The M's went into the top of the 7th only trailing by 2 runs and in need of Noesi to shutdown the Halos, it didnt go the way they planned as the Angels got an extra run and extended their lead to 6-3. Charlie Furbush was then called into duty to try and keep the lead to just three, he was able to get out of the inning without allowing another run. Now the M's had to get some work done and get some runs with only 3 innings to work with. Smoak in the bottom of the 7th was thrown out at home plate trying to score and that ended inning for the M's. The 9th inning for the M's saw Morales starting off the inning by getting on 2nd after Mike Trout dropped the ball in left field but after Smoak walked with 1 out both Shoppach and Dustin Ackley grounded out to end the game. 

NOTES: Both Kyle Seager and Dustin Ackley extended their hitting streaks to 15 and 7 games. Hector Noesi put his ERA down to 1.23. The Mariners went 1-12 with runners in scoring position.

The Rookie and his bats

Brandon Maurer had one hell of a challenge tonight, the Los Angeles Angels. A team that has Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, and Mark Trumbo. Basically, a team with a crap-ton of power hitters but hey not only do the Angels have power in their lineup they are also the #1 hitting team in the American League, so how bout that for the rookie pitcher. Well Maurer decided to shutdown that #1 hitting team tonight. His night began by striking out the first two batters including Trout and got Pujols to ground out, not bad huh? 1-2-3 inning for the rookie and so now it was time for the bats to go work. The first inning didn't see any work except for Endy Chavez leading off the inning with a single. So Maurer went back out for his 2nd inning of work and faced Josh Hamilton for the first time in his young career and was able to get Hamilton out with a ground ball right back to him, Maurer gave a single to Trumbo but on the replay on TV um lets just say Trumbo was OUT! Maurer was able to finish the inning off with a fielder's choice and his 3rd strikeout of the night. Both teams went down quietly, the M's in the bottom half of the 2nd and the Angels in the top of the 3rd.

Now I didn't notice this until the bottom of the 1st but Carlos Peguero started tonight's game and I was thinking "oh crap there's 3 or 4 extra strikeouts for this starting pitcher", but Peguero decided to shut me up by literally golfing a lead off homerun in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Now that wasn't the most impressive thing about the homerun, not only did he hit a ball that was in the dirt but he hit that ball 451 ft WOW!!! The Mariners were not done in the bottom of the 3rd inning, Jason Bay singled after Carlos's long HR and not long after that Chavez singled for the second time in the game. Kyle Seager then came up and hit a nice liner to centerfield that scored Bay and the M's took a 2-0 and extended Seager's hitting streak to a career long 14 games. Maurer continued his dominance in the 4th but got into a jam in the top of the 5th and with only 1 out and 2 on Maurer was able to get Peter Bourjos to ground into a big double play and keep the shutout going. In the top of the 6th inning Mike Trout lead off with a single but was retired not long afterwards as he tried to steal a base but Kelly Shoppach fired one to Dustin Ackley to cut down the speedy Trout. Pujols then singled up the middle but Maurer got the 3rd member of the Angels Big 3 to ground into a double play and get out of that inning.

In the top of the 7th Maurer night was finished after giving up a single to Howie Kendrick and hitting Brendan Harris so Eric Wedge brought in Carter Capps; who has been the most reliable reliever in the bullpen for the M's. Maurer walked off the field to and even 13,000 fans cheering for his most brilliant performance of the year and Capps helped his starter out by getting Chris Iannetta to ground into the biggest double play of the game. The bottom of the 7th inning began well as Justin Smoak walked and Ackley singled to right field, Kelly Shoppach got Smoak and Ackley over with a sacrifice bunt. After Peguero's golf HR the Angels decided to load the bases by intentionally walking him, Bay then came up and knocked in both Smoak and Ackley with a line drive to left field and the M's took a 4-0 lead. The bottom of the 8th saw Chavez leading off with a single for his 3rd hit of the night, Seager then unloaded and put one in the right field seats for his 3rd HR of the year and the lead was now 6-0. Tom Wilhelmsen was then brought in not in a save opportunity but merely just to get some work in and did the job by getting Pujols and Hamilton to ground out and striking out Trumbo. 

NOTES: This win tonight but the Mariners record to 9-15 for the season and putting them to 7 games back of the Texas Rangers for first place. On another note Taijuan Walker pitched tonight and went 7 strong innings and striking out 7. Maurer has posted a 1.89 ERA over his last 3 starts. Wilhelmsen after tonight put his ERA to 0.90 with his 1-2-3 inning tonight.