Noesi Pummeled

On Saturday, Hector Noesi threw a gem, lasting 8 shutout innings.  Tonight, we wasn't able to make it out of the second as the Mariners lost 7-3 on Ichiro Bobblehead night.

White Sox (6-6)

De Aza CF

Morel 3B

Dunn DH

Konerko 1B

Pierzynski C

Rios RF

Ramirez SS

Viciedo LF

Beckham 2B

Sale (1-1, 3.09)

Mariners (7-7)

Figgins CF

Ackley 2B

Ichiro RF

Smoak 1B

Montero C

Olivo DH

Liddi 3B

Wells LF

Ryan SS

Noesi (1-1, 5.73)

Before the game started, we walked around the ballpark taking things in.  Looks like they fixed the grammatical error in the decorative "Grand Salami" quote near the Niehaus Statue.  They added an apostrophe so instead of saying "...Its Grand Salami Time" it now correctly states "It's Grand Salami Time.


We also went to Blazing Bagels near the left field entrance, I had never been there before but since it is attached to the outside the prices are much cheaper.  I got two bagels for $6.45 and my sister got a huge boxed lunch of a bagel sandwich, drink, pickle, chips, cookie, and coleslaw for $11.  I will definitely be going back there as I have been disappointed with the fare at Safeco this year.  They no longer make the garlic chicken & fries, you only receive chicken tenders and regular fries.  BOOOOOO.


Back to the game, Noesi didn't have it from the start.  Last week he was really quick between pitches, but he labored from the very first batter tonight.  It seemed like he and Montero were arguing.  I don't know what it was, but he didn't have anything!  De Aza lead off with a single, then stole a bases.  Morel walked, then Dunn hit a double to left driving in his first run of the game (he would have 5).  They loaded the bases on 1 out and got their second run via a sacrifice fly from Rios.  In the 2nd inning, he retired the first batter of the inning but then gave up 4 consecutive hits, a double, two singles, and a three run homer by Dunn to center.  Wedge yanked him after the home run.  It was disappointing as our offense was never really given a chance.  Noesi's final line:  1.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 K = 40.50ERA on 58 pitches!!!

One of the stories of the game is that the Mariners had runners in scoring position in each of the first four innings and could only manage one run.  Overall, we were 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position.  After opening up the 1st down 2-0, we roared right back by getting Figgins and Ackley on first and third.  Figgins had singled to shortstop, and made it all the way around to third on Ackley's single to center.  It was good base running by Figgins, once again.  But Ichiro struck out swinging and Smoak hit into a double play.  In the second inning we got runners on 2nd and 3rd with two outs but were unable to produce.  By that time we were down 6-0 and the ballgame was pretty much over.  We did squeak in a run in the third thanks to an RBI double by Ichiro.  Montero got us our second by LAUNCHING a solo homer to lead off the 6th, to dead center.  It travelled 417 feet and was his second of the year.  Ichiro picked up his second rbi of the game by driving in Ryan in the 7th.

Our Bullpen did a pretty decent job, allowing only 1 extra batter above minimum the whole rest of the game, but we were unable to overcome the damage of Noesi's ineffectiveness.  Iwakuma finally made is ML debut in the6th inning and finished off the game, allowing Dunn's second homer, a solo, to lead off the 8th inning.  There was a running joke on Twitter wondering if he even existed, since we hadn't seen a glimpse of him in the previous 14 games this season.  So there were some positives about the game, Ramirez and Iwakuma were good.  Unfortunately my optimism about the improvement in our offense this year is beginning to wane. We need to start producing!  Sure, a few of our guys had pretty decent nights at the plate but it is a team game and someone needs to step up and drive in guys when they are on base!

Montero threw out his first base runner tonight, an attempted steal by Beckham in the 7th.

An interesting note, the first 20,000 fans received an Ichiro Bobblehead.  Only 19,947 showed up to the ballgame.  My, how far we have fallen.  In the past the Bobbleheads have been gone by 5:30.   Even the classic marketing gimmicks can't drawn fans anymore!

The Mariners are now 2-3 when I attend, and 7-8 overall
Time of Game: 2:45