With a quiet Hot Stove and another year almost in the books, here’s a look back at some of the more special moments from the Mariners’ 2012 season.

1. Felix Hernandez’s perfect game.
27 up, 27 down. 113 pitches. 12 strikeouts. An RBI single by Jesus Montero. A perfect summer afternoon.

Felix’s perfecto didn’t erase the Mariners’ 87 losses, but his moment in the sun will be one of the single moments remembered from their 2012 season.

2. A combined no-hitter featuring Kevin Millwood, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Lucas Luetge, Brandon League, Tom Wilhelmsen and rookie catcher Jesus Montero.
Backed by sharp defense from Brendan Ryan and Kyle Seager, the Mariners snagged another gem that, incredibly enough, managed to be overshadowed by the first perfect game in franchise history.

It’s even stranger to think that the first Mariner to throw a solo no-hitter this year might’ve been Kevin Millwood, who was excused in the 6th inning with an untimely groin strain.

» Continue reading “Top 5 Mariners Moments In 2012″

While the annual BBWAA awards briefly distract us from Shiny (Potential) Free Agent Signings, the Seattle blogosphere has created some awards for the Mariners themselves.

Jesus Montero For 2012 AL Rookie Of The Year — Mike Trout? Please. The real hero of the American League was none other than the Mariners’ backstop, DH, and someday-superstar Jesus Montero.

Collateral Damage — Corey Dawkins and Stephani Bee examine the impact of injuries on the 2012 AL West, ranking them by Total Adjusted WARP Lost.

M’s Payroll, Free Agent Predictions — Steering away from rumors for the moment, Prospect Insider’s Jason Churchill lays out the Mariners’ current commitments and payroll flexibility.

After hiring Bob Engle, Dodgers fill international staff with ex-Mariner scouts — The team of scouts that brought you Felix Hernandez and Michael Pineda has now relocated to Los Angeles. Bob Engle, newly-appointed VP of international scouting, committed to four former Seattle scouts: Pat Kelley, Patrick Guerrero, Jamey Storvick, and Eugene Grimaldi.

The Best Bunts of 2012 — The Mariners are on both ends of this one, with Erick Aybar’s bunt off of Brandon League falling under “Best Overall Bunt”, and Chone Figgins’ bunt off of Fernando Rodney meriting “Best Bunt Not Involving a Run Scored.”

What have you read this week? Share it with us on Twitter or in the comments below!

With a hearty congratulations to the 2012 World Series champion San Francisco Giants, the offseason is now officially underway.

• After taking home a 2012 Fielding Bible Award for best defensive shortstop, Brendan Ryan was snubbed a Gold Glove award by Baltimore’s J.J. Hardy. Dustin Ackley, who was nominated at second base, was beat out by Robinson Cano.
• As reported by MLB Trade Rumors, Brandon League has signed a $22.5M extension with the Dodgers through 2015, effectively preventing any chance of a return to the Pacific Northwest.
• Submissions are now being accepted for the 2013 MLB Fan Cave. If you love (Mariners) baseball, are 21 or older, and want to spend an entire MLB season watching every game, interviewing players, and hosting celebrities in NYC’s elaborate baseball-themed haven, fill out an application here.
• According to the Mariners’ official Twitter account, the free agent pool now includes Kevin Millwood, Oliver Perez, and George Sherrill.

With all the non-ironic (okay, mostly non-ironic) optimism pumping through the veins of the media, you might think that the Mariners have a shot at the postseason. I’m not here to dispel your hopes.

After a fantastic, improbable, season high eight-game winning streak, the Mariners kicked off their road trip with a pair of losses to the Chicago White Sox. This is neither surprising nor unpredictable—in 2012, the Sox have trampled the M’s in seven of eight games.

Whether it was bad luck, an inevitable collapse from an unsustainable win streak, or a combination of the two, the Mariners fell hard. Jason Vargas gave up six earned runs and three home runs in his second worst start of the season. Tom Wilhelmsen earned his first blown save on three hits and two runs, in true Brandon League style. Chone Figgins, veteran and professional bench warmer though he may be, failed to recognize a bunt sign and blew a crucial opportunity to advance the tying run in the 8th.

More painful than the mistakes, however, are the moments when the team was within reach of a win. On Friday night, the Mariners floundered under a five-run deficit for three innings, then pulled out a six-run rally in the 9th with four hits, three walks, and a home run. Tonight, Kyle Seager was responsible for all of Seattle’s runs, putting up a three-RBI homer in the 1st and a solo shot in the 9th before John Jaso killed the tying run with a pop-out.

It hurts to see a win slip through the Mariners’ gloves. It hurts even more to see that happen twice. Still, I believe this is a different team than the one who was perfect game’d by Philip Humber this April. This band of Mariners has a little more fight, a little more drive, and a little more want. So, while I’m not about to crown them the AL West champions just yet, this season is far from over.

Next game: @ White Sox | August 26 | 11:10am

See you soon, Leon!

Remember when the Mariners had Brandon League and even the thought of him warming up in the bullpen was more than enough to send a chill down Mariners’ fans’ spines?

No more.

One of the players acquired for League was Leon Landry, and while he was less heralded by some in the media than the AA closer the Mariners obtained, he intrigued me far more. A quick YouTube search of Landry’s name revealed a ton of amazing catches in the outfield from his time at LSU and in the minors.

The Dodgers’ third round pick in 2010, Landry reported to rookie ball in Ogden and in 57 games put up a .349/.399/.510 line. While some may contest that he should be expected to hit well in rookie ball, I won’t hold it against him that he was facing inferior competition. He was expected to do well, and he did.

In 2011 he debuted for the Great Lakes Loons, the Dodgers’ A-ball affiliate in the Midwest League. While his numbers dipped a bit – he only hit .250, he flashed some speed. Landry hit 11 triples over 125 games and stole 28 bases.

He started 2012 one level higher, in A+ ball with Rancho Cucamonga in the California League. Hitters’ numbers are expected to be inflated in the league that’s home to many extreme hitters parks, and Leon hasn’t disappointed. Prior to being traded to the Mariners he was hitting .328/.358/.559 for an OPS of .917. He had stolen 20 bases in 80 games and even knocked eight home runs for good measure. His 16 triples lead the California League by far – Billy Hamilton (who has 104 stolen bases) is in second place with nine.

Landry made his debut with the High Desert Mavericks, also of the California League, on Wednesday. All he did was go 1-5 with a homerun in High Desert’s 10-3 victory over Lake Elsinore. In his second game, he added another hit, a single, and scored a run en route to a 4-0 victory. Nothing he has done, however, compares to his performance on Friday evening.

Landry’s night started off pretty inconspicuously, with a fly-out to the right fielder. In the third inning, however, he extended his Mariners’ hitting streak to three games with a single. Landry then showed off his speed, stealing second and inducing a bad throw from catcher Roberto Pena, allowing him to take third on the play. He would go on to score.

He led off the fifth with a triple, once again to right field, and would score yet again. With one runner on in the sixth, he hit a long home run to center field, leaving him only a double short of the cycle.

Two innings later, he would get his cycle, as he doubled to right field.

Leon is only three games into his Mariners career, but they couldn’t have started out much better. He’s hitting 6-for-14 with a couple of home runs already and a cycle to his name.

Believe it or not, Landry had the opportunity to go for the cycle exactly one week ago. With the single, triple and home run (inside-the-park, no less) already out of the way, Landry came up to bat in the eighth just a double short – but he legged out a triple instead, deciding to go for the extra base instead of taking the cycle as a personal achievement. Any player who’s willing to do something like that is definitely an asset to an organization.

I’m really excited about Leon Landry and can’t wait to see him at Safeco Field.

Final score: Mariners 7, Royals 6

On July 10, 2005, the Mariners defeated the Anaheim Angels. Miguel Olivo ripped a home run off Ervin Santana. Gil Meche notched his ninth win of the year. The Mariners’ record inflated to 39-48, and would plummet to 93 losses and just 69 wins by the end of the season.

These four games have been mostly forgotten, mostly lost in the last 7 years. In fact, they are only significant in light of today’s game, the clincher in a four-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals—the first four-game sweep since that day in 2005.

And you thought the Mariners couldn’t top their run in Kansas City last week.

Last week, the Mariners produced 31 runs and only allowed 19. Jesus Montero went 10-for-17 with 5 R, 8 RBI, and 3 XBH. Felix put up a line of 8 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, and 3 SO in an 8-inning start.

This weekend, the Mariners produced 21 runs and allowed 9. Mike Carp, newly-promoted first baseman, went 8-for-15 with 3 R, 8 RBI, and 3 XBH. With a sweep on the line, Felix finished his outing at 7 IP, with 5 H, 2 BB, 2 ER, and 6 SO.

While there were plenty of things to enjoy about today’s game, it was not without a healthy dose of drama. In the 4th, Felix caught a nasty comebacker from Eric Hosmer on his left wrist. Within minutes, he had returned to the mound for another 1.1 innings, and postgame x-rays were reported as negative.

In the 8th, backed by a comfortable 3-run lead, Brandon League brushed off a flurry of trade rumors by allowing 3 hits, a stolen base, a run, and a mess for Oliver Perez to clean up.

You know the end of this story. The Mariners fished out a 2-run rally. They sent Kansas City home with a 1-7 record. More important than a handful of wins, however, is the inkling that the Mariners of July – October will be a different bunch than the ones we saw from April – June.

Perhaps it’s the way they score early and often, rather than loading and leaving the bases in the 9th. Perhaps it’s the home runs that have sneaked past the Safeco Field fences. Perhaps, though I feel guilty saying this, it’s the absence of Ichiro and the presence of Casper Wells and Carlos Peguero in right field.

Perhaps, against many odds, the Mariners will break .500 by October 3. Then again, that may only happen if the Royals can be persuaded to play their remaining 48 games in Seattle.

Next game: vs. Blue Jays | July 30 | 7:10pm

Final score: Mariners 9, Royals 5

There are certain rare games when everything seems to come together. Take Saturday night, for instance. With Felix on the mound, the offense provided a cushy 7-run backing, including one home run that defied the impossibly distant fences of Safeco Field.

Today’s outing followed a slightly different script. Jonathan Sanchez made his shortest MLB start in five years, issuing a leadoff walk, 4 back-to-back base hits, and 2 home runs in 1.1 IP. By the time Ned Yost pulled him for Louis Coleman, he had written a line of 7 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, and 2 SO.

The Mariners took full advantage of an extended bullpen showing (including tomorrow’s scheduled starter Everett Teaford), with 3 home runs, 2 triples, and a consistent lead of at least 4 runs. The MVP of the game, as named by the Mariners Twitter personnel, the fans, and common sense, was Casper Wells, who put up a first-pitch homer, stand-up triple, and 5 RBIs in his first two at-bats.

By the time the bottom of the 1st inning rolled around, I was fairly confident that Jason Vargas was in for a quality start. While he didn’t fall quite as hard as Sanchez, however, he leaned heavily on the run support gathered in the previous half inning. In 6 IP, he apportioned 7 hits, 3 walks, and 3 runs to 25 batters—including 2 home runs on identical pitches to Salvador Perez and Billy Butler.

From there, Wedge sent in his arsenal of relievers, escaping the final three innings with just 4 additional hits and an earned run. Of special note is the performance of Brandon League (the version that doesn’t have me screaming at the television in horror), who is currently riding a streak of five scoreless appearances.

Tomorrow, the Mariners look to extend their winning streak to two games. Blake Beavan has been spotted with the team, and is tentatively slated to start against Everett Teaford. Brendan Ryan is likely out for a few days with a left kneecap contusion, so like today’s game, we may see more of Munenori Kawasaki filling the infield gaps. And though it doesn’t need to be said, more Mune is always a good thing.

Next game: @ Royals | July 17 | 5:10pm

Final score: Red Sox 2, Mariners 1

There is little more exciting than bonus baseball. Aside from your perfect games, your no-hitters, your best cleanup hitter arriving with the bases loaded and two outs, watching a game roll into extra innings keeps you on the edge of your seat for each at-bat.

The Mariners battled with the Red Sox for this series, going back and forth with Felix’s 13-strikeout complete game, a 4-home run parade by the Sox, and a Chone Figgins walkoff sac fly in an 11th inning rally. Tonight, they dragged a 1-1 game into 10 innings, finally surrendering on a sac fly by David Ortiz.

Part of me wants to rejoice that the Mariners held their own against a team not currently scraping the bottom of any MLB division. Part of me is excited that the Red Sox had to fight for this series in the first place, even with Erasmo Ramirez’s elbow injury and Franklin Gutierrez’s face getting smashed on a pickoff throw to first. And then part of me remembers tonight’s game and is reminded why the Mariners are only headed as far as third place in the AL West this season.

First, the positives. Jason Vargas crafted his strongest start since the beginning of May, lasting 8 innings with 5 hits, an earned run, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. After seven scoreless innings, he lost his shutout bid on a 1-0 fastball to Dustin Pedroia. Tom Wilhelmsen boosted his streak to 18.2 innings without allowing a run, closing the door with a Kelly Shoppach strikeout to end the 9th.

And then Brandon League happened.

In the 10th, League needed just four pitches to put runners at the corners. Lucas Luetge entered with one out and promptly induced a fly ball from David Ortiz, handing League a loss to set next to his blown save from Boston’s Friday night shutout.

And then the offense happened; or rather, didn’t happen.

I realize that it’s a tired bit. The Mariners’ offense has been lackluster at best, spreading 20 hits and 5 runs over 39 innings. Still, with the 7 walks graciously handed to the team tonight, it’s not unreasonable to believe they could have made more of their opportunities. In 30 at-bats, they hacked at first pitches 10 times for 5 outs. Jesus Montero stranded 6 runners and induced the last out in 4 separate innings. With a mere one-run deficit to overcome, the Mariners saw just 5 pitches from Alfredo Aceves in the 10th.

Tomorrow, the Orioles arrive to close out the last homestand before the All-Star break. Because I can’t think of anything positive to say about that match-up, I’ll end this wrap with a hearty congratulations to Felix Hernandez, who was named an American League All-Star this morning and has announced his intention of appearing in the game next Tuesday.

Next game: vs. Orioles | July 2 | 7:10pm

Final score: Mariners 3, Athletics 2

What a difference an offense makes.

More specifically, what a difference the Mariners offense makes, when it shows up.

Jason Vargas crafted his sharpest performance of the season, lasting 6.2 innings with 3 hits, 2 walks, 2 earned runs, and 10 strikeouts. He fanned 5 of the first 6 batters, holding the A’s scoreless through 6.1 IP and relinquishing just one run to Yoenis Cespedes on a 88 MPH four-seamer that sailed 424 feet into the left field bullpen.

Brandon League, being Brandon League, collected his fourth blown save of the year. He arrived with 2 outs in the 7th, handed back-to-back singles to Jonny Gomes and Derek Norris, and exited with a no-decision for Vargas and the jeers of the 12,411 fans in attendance.

Still, I said I would talk about offense, so let’s talk about offense. As they did on Monday, the Mariners managed 7 hits, putting 4 men in scoring position and driving in 2 runs. Franklin Gutierrez lined a 92 MPH fastball that landed just short of the left field fence for an RBI double. Ichiro, last night’s leadoff-hitting DH, went 3-for-4 with a pair of base hits and a walk.

The real heroes of the game were Brendan Ryan and Tom Wilhelmsen, who chased off extra innings with a line drive RBI single and a smooth three outs in the 9th. With last night’s outing, Wilhelmsen has extended his scoreless streak to 16.1 consecutive innings in 14 appearances.

After a minor heart attack from Brandon League, I can appreciate this game for representing all the best bits of the 2012 Mariners. They showcased dominant pitching, sharp relief, and clutch hits. The green hydro won. I counted no more than seven A’s fans in attendance.

If today promises more of the same, we may see the M’s shed a few games in their bid for the division the second wild card third place.

Next game: vs. A’s | June 27 | 12:40pm

Final score: Mariners 12, Diamondbacks 9

I could spend this entire wrap discussing the ball of pure energy and happiness that is Munenori Kawasaki. The man bounced around the infield so much that he distracted J.J. Putz from Dustin Ackley’s at-bat. He started stretching and sprinting during Arizona’s pitching change. He bowed to the umpire—who bowed back.

Of course, in a game that ended in the 10th inning with a score of 12-9, there are many players to credit. The Mariners picked themselves up after Monday’s loss with a 6-run inning in the 5th, three home runs (courtesy of Justin Smoak, Brendan Ryan, and Kyle Seager), and a solid outing from the ‘pen.

On a grander scale, Ichiro hit the 2,500th mark with a leadoff single, becoming the fifth fastest MLB player to reach 2,500 career hits. Leadoff treated him kindly during the rest of the game, as he drove in 2 runs and reached base 4 times in 5 PA.

Even more welcome, at least to this Mariners fan, was the performance from Brendan Ryan. After 9 games without a hit, Ryan has sparked something of a hitting streak, extending it to 4 games yesterday with a single and home run.

Overall, this was a game where everything worked flawlessly. Seattle held on until the end, and we caught a glimpse of the well-oiled machine the Mariners could become. From the 7th inning until the final strikeout of the 10th, the bullpen pitched scoreless inning after scoreless inning. In the 7th, Brandon League induced three groundouts. In the 8th and 9th, Charlie Furbush racked up 4 strikeouts in 6 batters faced. In the 10th, Tom Wilhelmsen retired the side with 14 pitches.

This afternoon, the Mariners will take on the D-backs for the final game of this series. Whether we’ll get the exciting, dominant Mariners of the future or an overeager adolescent team is yet to be determined.

Next game: @ D-backs | June 20 | 12:40pm