Next game: vs. Padres | February 24 | 12:05pm

Projected pitchers: Erasmo Ramirez receives the nod for starter today, with the following mix of pitchers—James Paxton, Tom Wilhelmsen, Charlie Furbush, Stephen Pryor, Carter Capps, Josh Kinney, and Lucas Luetge. [h/t Greg Johns]

And you get a home run! And you get a home run! Over two tumultuous match-ups with their Peoria Sports Complex rivals, the San Diego Padres, the Mariners have managed 15 hits, 11 runs and 4 homers. In order of appearance: Casper Wells, Jason Bay, Justin Smoak, and Mike Jacobs.

Catch ‘em all: Wondering when you can catch the next Mariners game on your radio and TV? Check out the official broadcast schedule here.

Best shape of their lives? Well, this isn’t good:

Looking for something to do between now and February 12? Not only do the Mariners broadcast highlights from the 2012 season on ROOT Sports every Monday night, but the 710 ESPN Seattle crew hosts their Hot Stove League show throughout the offseason. Tune in from 7-9pm tonight to hear interviews with Shawn Kelley, Mike Zunino, Mike Brumley, Dave Hansen, and Larry LaRue.

• Kevin Millwood has announced his intention to retire from Major League Baseball. MLB.com’s Zack Meisel reported the following:

“Millwood reportedly told his agent, Scott Boras, that he only wanted to pitch if he could do so for the Braves or Rays, two teams closest to his home in Gainesville, Ga. Neither team expressed interest.

“I feel like I can still throw it well, and going out on a high note is a big deal,” Millwood told the newspaper. “I just felt it was time to be closer to home and be around the kids more often.”

Millwood finished his career with the Mariners, posting a 4.25 ERA and 4.42 xFIP in 28 starts and 161 IP. He made two especially memorable appearances during his time in Seattle, kickstarting a 6-man no-hitter in June and commanding a 2-hit complete game shutout in Colorado just a month prior.

• This week, ESPN’s Keith Law ranked the top 100 prospects in MLB, as well as the farm systems of each team. Here’s how things shook out for the Mariners:

Top prospects: Taijuan Walker (#4), Mike Zunino (#15), Danny Hultzen (#66), Nick Franklin (#69).

Organizational ranking: #8. With their promising band of starting pitchers, the Mariners fell just behind the Cardinals, Twins, Rays, Astros, Cubs, Padres, and Pirates.

Honorable top prospect mention was given to RHP Brandon Maurer.

• According to Corey Brock, the Mariners are making progress with their 40-man roster, having signed over half to contracts for the upcoming season. Last week, ten players signed deals: Blake Beavan, Lucas Luetge, Francisco Martinez, Julio Morban, Carlos Peguero, Chance Ruffin, Kyle Seager, Justin Smoak, Eric Thames, and Casper Wells.
• Interested in working with the Mariners? The club has opened up several job openings for the 2013 season. You can find descriptions and applications for their full-time and part-time positions by clicking on the links below:

Game Day Staff
Navigators Team Member
Team Store Sales Associate
Sales Account Manager
Finance Intern
Aramark Cleaning Crew

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″

Join the conversation: tweet #EdgarHOF and tell us why you think Edgar Martínez deserves a spot in Cooperstown.

With just 11 days until Christmas, Jack Zduriencik is back in the hunt for a pretty free agent signing to give Mariners fans this year. Here’s the latest from the hot stove circuit:

• Yesterday, the Angels swooped into the Hamilton-fest and signed the coveted, controversial outfielder to a 5-year, $125M contract. According to Greg Johns, the Mariners had aggressively, though unsuccessfully, pursued Hamilton:

“Though Jack Zduriencik suggested last month that Seattle wouldn’t likely be in position to pursue Hamilton at his original seven-year, $175 million target, the Mariners indeed were willing to go after him full bore on a shorter deal.

[...] it is interesting that they were in the hunt to the end, which was not the case last year with Prince Fielder when the Tigers went with more years and dollars than anybody else was willing to stomach.”

• Several less-shiny outfielders remain on the table, including Brennan Boesch, who talked with the Mariners on Wednesday. In 2012, Boesch hit .240/.286/.372 over 132 games with the Tigers. Jon Morosi suggests Charlie Furbush, Oliver Perez, and Lucas Luetge as potential trade chips, as Detroit is thought to have interest in left-handed relievers.
• In their second social media sweepstakes of the holiday season, the Mariners are encouraging fans to use Pinterest to win free team gear. To enter, follow the team’s official account on Pinterest, re-pin four of the given images, and fill out this form to get your name in the running.
• Franklin Gutierrez, Erasmo Ramirez, Oliver Perez, and Carlos Peguero are a few Mariners currently performing in MLB’s various offseason leagues. You can find a complete list of players and their respective statistics here.

Final score: Rangers 3, Mariners 2.

There is just one thing you need to know about this game.

It’s not that Jason Vargas managed to strike out two Rangers while issuing eight hits, two home runs, three earned runs, and two walks—by far his least effective outing this month.

It’s not that the Mariners’ lineup, headed by Michael Saunders and sporting both Carlos Triunfel and Luis Jimenez, struck out eight times against Ryan Dempster and four times against Robbie Ross, Mike Adams, and Joe Nathan.

It’s not that Seattle turned down the chance to sweep Texas for the third time this season.

It’s not even that Shawn Kelley and Lucas Luetge wriggled out of an inning started by a Craig Gentry leadoff triple.

No, the one thing you need to know about this game cannot be prefaced with all the #cantpredictball hashtags in the world: Brendan Ryan hit a home run. Eric Thames had just ended the Rangers’ shutout with a blast to right field, and Ryan arrived in the 7th with two outs and no runners on. Expecting a walk, perhaps a second base hit, the crowd watched as he chased Dempster’s 85 MPH slider into the Mariners’ bullpen, accounting for Seattle’s second and final home run of both the inning and the game.

Even more surprisingly, this marked Brendan’s third home run of the season, his first since a 12-9 victory over the Diamondbacks in June. It also made Dempster the first pitcher to surrender multiple home runs to Ryan, who first hit a tie-breaking shot off the former Cub back in September 2009.

Tomorrow, the Mariners take the day off before hitting the road for a six-game stretch in Anaheim and Oakland.

Next game: @ Angels | September 25 | 7:10pm

Final score: Orioles 4, Mariners 2

When the Mariners began this game, I was still 21.

Nine hours ago, I arrived at Safeco for batting practice, eager to soak up the last little bit of baseball the Mariners have to offer this season. If only I had had an inkling of what was to come.

Through the first eight innings—the first game of the night, really—Erasmo Ramirez shut out the Orioles on two hits and six strikeouts. He returned in the ninth to a standing ovation, then surrendered back-to-back singles to Ryan Flaherty and Nate McLouth. Tom Wilhelmsen blew his fourth save of the year on the third single of the inning, an RBI from Chris Davis that tied the game.

I’m not going to lie: there’s little that excites me more than the prospect of extra innings. In 38 games this year, I had yet to see bonus baseball. So, although I probably should’ve been as sad as Steven was when Wilhelmsen allowed the tying run to score, I was practically bouncing up and down in my seat instead.

I still didn’t know what I was in for.

Over the final nine innings of the game, the crowd of 12,608 dwindled to a few hundred (pictured in the above photo). Eric Wedge brought in John Jaso. Buck Showalter countered with lefty reliever Brian Matusz. Wedge then changed his mind, forfeiting the chance to use his best offensive player, and opted for Alex Liddi.

The 14th stretch came and went. By the 15th inning, even the flocks of seagulls had vanished from the outfield. The field became so quiet that, aside from a few raucous cheers by the seven remaining Orioles fans, you could hear the game broadcast echoing on the main concourse.

It finally ended in the 18th. Lucas Luetge opened the inning with a walk, followed by a pair of base hits and an RBI groundout to give the Orioles a two-run lead. The bottom half of the inning went quickly, without so much as a baserunner for the Mariners.

When this game finally, mercifully finished, I was no longer 21. And although a walk-off would’ve made for an even sweeter story, I couldn’t be happier spending the first part of my birthday at the ballpark. See you tonight, Mariners fans.

Next game: vs. Orioles | September 19 | 7:10pm

Final score: Twins 10, Mariners 0

I want to spare you the details of this game. It wasn’t pretty. If you did anything else tonight, like bowling or knitting or watching reruns of The Office seasons 1-4, I can’t blame you for escaping the bloodbath that was smeared all over Target Field.

In fact, you should probably return to whatever distraction prevented you from turning on the TV in the first place. Re-read Fifty Shades of Grey or YouTube college athletes lip-synching “Call Me Maybe.” Scan the rest of the recap and then try to forget this game ever happened.

• Jason Vargas delivered his third shortest, third worst start of the season: 8 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 2 walks, 2 home runs in 4.2 IP.
• Sam Deduno pitched the best start of his career, with 2 hits and 9 strikeouts over 6 IP. After retiring 18 consecutive batters, Deduno’s K/BB rate reached an all-time high at 11.57.
• Trevor Plouffe collected 4 RBIs in 4 AB, doing the most damage with a 2-run shot to left center field that bounced a few feet over Chone Figgins’ head—even after he scaled the bullpen wall.
• In his seventh MLB appearance, Carter Capps broke a scoreless streak of five appearances, giving up 4 hits and 3 runs over 10 plate appearances. Lucas Luetge fared little better, icing the Twins’ lead with 4 more hits and an extra run in 1.1 innings of relief.
• Although Deduno’s perfect game was spoiled by the second batter, the Mariners hardly posed a threat on the basepaths. Between productive outs and a stolen base, Trayvon Robinson and Kyle Seager snared five bases, both stranded with swinging strikeouts from John Jaso and Justin Smoak.

Tomorrow, the Mariners will make one final push to clinch the series before heading back to Seattle for a 9-game homestand. While I’m not anticipating another blowout from Minnesota, I have the latest episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians DVR’d and ready to go.

Next game: @ Twins | August 30 | 10:10am

Final score: Rays 4, Mariners 1

No one said this game would be easy. In fact, some people said this game wouldn’t be easy. And they were right.

This game lasted two innings before Blake Beavan broke it with 5 consecutive hits and 4 runs over 43 pitches. Although he coasted through the next three innings, the Mariners struggled to close the gap, catching a break on the efforts of Trayvon Robinson and Eric Thames with a triple and RBI single.

From there, the carousel of relievers spun out Carter Capps (in his Safeco Field debut), Lucas Luetge, and Shawn Kelley. Capps tossed two 100-MPH heaters, averaged 95.8 MPH in 26 pitches, struck out one of 5 batters, and issued 3 walks in 1.0 IP.

Tomorrow, Kevin Millwood takes on Matt Moore. Actually, forget that. On Wednesday, King Felix faces Jeremy Hellickson. Now there’s something you can feel good about.

Next game: vs. Rays | August 14 | 7:10pm

Final score: Orioles 8, Mariners 7

There are some Mariners’ games where, as a fan, the end leaves you disappointed. Actually, let’s be honest. Over the past 10 years, there have been many of these sorts of games. You know that your team could’ve won the game if a player came through in the clutch. They could’ve won if only the outfielder reached that line drive in time or if his throw to the plate was a bit more accurate. The talent on the team, that night, just wasn’t up to snuff and their opponent emerged the victor.

Tonight was not one of those nights.

Tonight’s contest against the Orioles was one of those that, somehow, bring out emotions that generally are reserved for areas of life other than sport. After tonight’s loss, I felt cheated. I felt anger, but not at the Mariners’ players. Tonight just didn’t feel right.

I’m going to spare you the details of the first thirteen innings of this game and give you the gist of them: The Mariners were up by a lot and then the Orioles came back and tied it. After the seventh inning, the game was tied 7-7. Sure, sometimes pitchers can collapse, and neither Blake Beavan nor Lucas Luetge had their best nights tonight. Things like that can be overlooked – not each player on your team is going to perform like an MVP every single night.

» Continue reading “Mariners Postgame Recap: Orioles ‘Win’”

Final score: Yankees 6, Mariners 2

No one expected Hisashi Iwakuma to repeat his 13-strikeout performance when he took the mound in New York today. Still, it wouldn’t have hurt.

In this weekend’s rubber match, the Mariners took their second loss in ten games on five hits and two runs. Excepting Trayvon Robinson and Eric Thames, each player managed to reach base, while the bulk of the offense was fueled by a pair of RBI singles from Jesus Montero. While the team saw over 44% of outs on ground balls and over 14% of outs on the first pitch, they also recorded just 3 strikeouts, their lowest strikeout total since a 5-0 shutout by Boston on June 29, 2012.

Iwakuma, looking more like the spot starter we saw last month and less like the powerhouse that showed up against the Blue Jays, lasted just 5 innings, allowing 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and a moonshot to center field by Raul Ibanez. Josh Kinney broke a scoreless streak of 3 appearances, padding the Yankees’ lead by 2 runs, while Oliver Perez, Shawn Kelley, and Lucas Luetge polished off the last 3 innings with 3 hits and a walk.

Tomorrow, the Mariners head to Baltimore for their second series of this 9-game road trip. Both Brendan Ryan and Mike Carp, who sat out with elbow soreness and paternity leave, respectively, are scheduled to return in the next day or so.

Next game: @ Orioles | August 6 | 4:05pm