Last night was rough. The M's teased us in the first with homers by Guti and Morse, only to shut down offensively for the rest of the game. Montero's slap-shot singles back up the middle were about it outside the first inning at the plate.
Saunders... oh lord Saunders... I sure hope last night was a fluke. He BARELY got through four innings, walking people left and right, serving up well hit doubles deep into the outfield gaps. And if it weren't for Guti's superior range and defensive, there would've been at least one more of those.
Saunders looked angry and confused and frustrated, while Montero was forced to slide around behind the plate preventing passed ball after passed ball.
Again, for the THIRD NIGHT IN A ROW (and the first time ever), Montero played three days in a row behind the dish. He is still looking competent, and he still tears up left handed pitching. Oh and with Morse's 3rd homer of the year the Jaso trade is starting to look less and less befuddling.
Bay and Andino got their first starts of the season. Bay was issued a walk in his first plate appearance as a Mariner and then went quietly along his merry way. But, but! he did have a nice relay throw to Ryan from the left field corner, saving a potential run at the plate by the A's 1B rookie Freiman (spelling?).
Andino didn't look like much of anything. He really wasn't tested defensively, and at the dish he hurt the Mariners more than helped.
As a keen observer, you have probably come to the realization that if Bay and Andino started, two starters had to sit. Bay played left and booted Saunders for the night (the other Saunders, the better Saunders thus far). Andino started at second, giving *tear* Ackley the day off. I think this was a smart decision on Wedge's part, giving Ackley a brain-day, avoiding the crafty lefty Milone and giving him some time in the cages to tidy up his new stance and balance at the plate.
Ok now I am done talking about last night... I stayed up till 1 am watching a game that really wasn't fun to watch as a Mariners fan. Or an A's fan I guess, their stadium looked pretty empty and I am just assuming not many people really follow the Athletics.
So now there is today... Maurer getting his Mariners debut... his beard being showcased for the world (yes, everybody and their mother watches A's-M's Thursday day-games).
I don't think anybody expects 8 innings of no-hit ball, but I would love to see Maurer find some good control and patience on the mound. We know he can strike people out, but I am more interested in seeing him get out of Major League jams like he did in spring ball.
Likewise, look for the Mariners to make a little more contact tonight, they've been walking and hitting dingers but really not getting all that many hits.
Let's see if they can't get the series here today. Although a 4-game series split against the reigning AL West division champs wouldn't be the worst way the Mariners could start the season.
Wait a minute..... the Athletics won the AL West last year??? I thought the Angels and Rangers were in that division too... huh. Kids these days.
-Charlie @C14SpencerD
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