By Patrick
Sure, last night's 7-4 loss could easily fall on Michael Saunders, who had a fly ball land on his face instead of in his glove in the crucial eighth inning. But really, Felix Hernandez looked decidedly un-Kingly yet again last night. He fell behind 2-0 without getting an out, and let a previously light hitting Gordon Beckham take him deep twice on fastballs. He only lasted five innings, but not because he threw too many pitches. Eric Wedge actually pulled him because he couldn't get outs. That's not the Felix we all know and love.
On the plus side, it appears that Kyle Seager has secured the third spot in the batting order for the foreseeable future. He picked up three more RBIs on Friday, and he chased Jake Peavy by taking him deep in the seventh inning. Justin Smoak also looked good, as he knocked in Seager to score the fourth run. But ultimately, a hot team got even hotter yesterday, as the M's couldn't hold on.
June 2: Hector "Jason Vargas" Noesi (2-6, 5.01) vs. Gavin Floyd (4-5, 5.02)
Wow those ERAs are awfully similar. And yeah I don't have anything else to say. I'm avoiding the run support complaints at all costs. The White Sox do hit a lot of home runs though, which could really hurt the Mariners tonight, especially if Noesi's control falters as it has in the past. If he walks too many people and then feels that he has to come back with ill-timed straight pitches, this could be a long game for the Mariners. And really, the M's just don't fare well against the White Sox in general. Gavin Floyd is no exception to that trend, but he has struggled so far in 2012. Still, this matchup doesn't look good for Seattle, especially after the trend was set last night by a struggling Felix start.
Players to Watch:
Jesus Montero: While Seager. Ackley, and Smoak all shined last night, Montero struggled in the four spot. The clean up hitter needs to do just that, clean the Mariners off the bases with big hits. Yet in a spot to drive in the tying run in last night's game, he fouled out to the catcher. Montero must continue to progress, and the youth that surrounds him should help encourage him through their success.
Gordon Beckham: Last time I remember seeing Beckham, he really wasn't much to call home about. Last night, he hit two homers off of Felix Hernandez. That's a significant improvement. He absolutely dominated the M's last night, and his early pop set the Sox up for a late win. Noesi will need to proceed with caution against Beckham today.
Prediction:
White Sox 6, M's 5: I just don't like the way that the White Sox are playing. Everything is going their way of late. The Saunders drop was just what happens to a team that has won nine straight now. Red hot teams don't go down easy. Hector Noesi on the road doesn't sound like a winning formula today. Hopefully, the M's give him some runs to allow him to have a chance to win. Go M's.
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