By Patrick
Well that sucked. The Mariners scored two runs on solo homers in last night's 6-2 loss to the Yankees, further asserting the fact that the M's can't score with runners in scoring position. Robby Cano absolutely tore it up, and had four hits for the victorious Yanks. The killer blow came from Raul Ibanez, who took Felix yard in the bottom of the sixth for a three-run job that buried the M's for good. Overall, Felix was pretty good, but the homer really seemed to take a lot out of him, and he didn't even finish the seventh inning. I don't remember the last time Felix didn't finish an inning. He's been that good this year.
Fourteen hits is way too much. That's how many the Yankees had last night. I bet the Mariners have won less than 5% of the games they allowed 14 hits in the last four years. Also, Steve Delabar got jacked by Andruw Jones in the eighth. A lot of pitchers have been jacked by Andruw Jones, just not very recently.
There were some bright spots though. Justin Smoak had a 3-for-4 night, though all three hits were singles. Singles are way better than outs. Jesus Montero abused the right field short porch, and Dustin Ackley led off the game with an opposite field blast. Michael Saunders both stole a base and got caught stealing.
May 12: "Jason Vargas" (2-3, 6.30) vs. Bad Phil Hughes (2-4, 6.67)
Does anyone remember good Phil Hughes? He pitched for the Yankees a while back. He had a great season and looked like he could have a promising future. Then the Yankees inexplicably traded him for bad Phil Hughes. That's what happened right? Wait, so these two are the same guy? Yikes. Yeah, Phil Hughes has morphed into a laughing stock over the last few seasons, as he battles to stay healthy, pitch deep into games, and pitch well in general. He's supposedly a third starter, but I don't buy it. Although so is Hector Noesi. These guys both shouldn't be third starters. Hooray for rotations! Noesi got his swagger back in his last start, a win over the Twins. A win over the Twins is a win over the Twins though. The Yankees will be a whole new challenge, especially since all of the hitters have seen him in practice. This is a good matchup and should serve as a barometer start for Noesi.
Players to watch:
Justin Smoak: He's hitting .193, but yesterday, that was .173. So yeah, better. It will be interesting to see how he follows up a three single performance. I would like to see him go yard. So would everyone else in Mariner Nation. But seriously, he needs to hit one soon. It's been too long. Phil Hughes seems like an ideal target for a homer. Light it up, Smoaky.
Robinson Cano: Do I need to explain this one? The guy had four hits yesterday. The thing to watch with Cano today is whether or not the Mariners can get Cano out. They didn't last night. And felix was pitching. Hector Noesi has far worse control and command. And probably will get yanked after six innings. So Cano could easily go 4-for-4, but I think he won't. That's not easy to do. I have no real insight here, but watch Cano tonight.
Prediction:
Yankees 5, Mariners 3: No Felix today, but Hector Noesi looked good last time out. He will pitch well. I also feel that Phil Hughes will pitch well also, since the Mariners don't have high confidence because of last night's loss and the offense didn't knock any runners in last night either. The pitchers cancel each other out as average, and therefore it becomes an offensive battle, in which the Yankees will prevail. Even if Noesi doesn't implode, which he still might, the Yankees are better when Felix doesn't pitch. Last night, they were better when Felix did pitch. The Mariners are not very good. Go M's.
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