This Mariners Suckfest Brought to You By Ambien
It's been a bit more than 24 hours since the News Tribune's Larry LaRue revealed that during a crucial pinch-hit situation in which he could've been used, on one of the worst homestands in team history, Ken Griffey Jr., former Mariners' panacea, was sound asleep in the clubhouse. Varying degrees of outrage have ensued.
When Will the Mariners and Ken Griffey Jr. Have "The Talk"?
If Griffey isn't coming back, will we have a "Griffey Day" to celebrate his career? A final goodbye for all the fans who grew up with The Kid?
Griffey's Walk-Off Single
Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1190th RBI as a Mariner was a special one--a game-winning hit in the bottom of the 14th inning. Watch the highlight here. Junior's major league career may be winding down, but he's still giving us some memorable moments. The M's play the Yankees tonight in the first game of a four-game series.
Mariners 3, Toronto 2
Ryan Rowland-Smith lost a no-hitter bid in the seventh inning, and also a slim 1-0 lead when Aaron Hill hit a two-run homer. But Ken Griffey Jr. delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the inning (matching his previous RBI total for the entire month of July) and the bullpen held on. Ichiro had two more hits, his 149th and 150th of the year, raising his average to a ridiculous .368. M's 53-48, 7.5 GB. Box score. Next game Thu @ TEX, 5:05 p.m.; Olson vs. Holland.
Tuesday Sportsball: Sounders and Storm Win, M's Lose
Phew! What a day!
Yankees 4, Mariners 2
A-Rod's second homer in as many nights sinks the Good Ship Mariner, as Andy Pettitte outduels Jarrod Washburn. Half of the M's offense was a solo homer by Griffey, his first in New Yankee Stadium. That's 44 major league parks Junior's homered in, one short of Sammy Sosa's record. M's 39-38, 3.5 GB. Box score. Next game Thu @ NYY, 4:05 p.m.; Vargas vs. Sabathia.
The Weekend in Sports
M's Serve Baseball's Best Team; Lose Beltre: The Mariners started their road trip with a surprising 2-1 series win over the Dodgers, who have baseball's best record. The highlight was Felix Hernandez's nine-K performance on Saturday night, with homers by Griffey and Branyan providing the offense. Bad news came that night as well: Adrian Beltre will miss 6-8 weeks, he's getting surgery to remove painful bone spurs in his shoulder.
San Diego 9, Mariners 7
After putting on one of the worst offensive performances we've ever seen through the first seven innings, striking out 11 times vs. 5.98-ERA-having Chad Gaudin, the M's stormed back in the final two innings, getting the winning run to the plate with one out in the ninth. T'wasn't to be, as Griffey and Gooters both made outs. M's 35-35, 2.5 GB. Box score. Next game Wed vs. SD, 7:10 p.m.; Morrow vs. Geer.
Mariners 4, Arizona 3
One of Ken Griffey Jr.'s most dramatic homers -- a pinch-hit, two-run blast to right-center on a 97 mph Tony Pena fastball -- tied this game in the eighth inning, and sent an already standing crowd into hysterics. (Who says Griffey can't get around on a heater?) After recent callup Chris Woodward singled and stole second, Rob Johnson tripled him home to put the M's ahead. Batista gets the win, though Washburn deserved it after throwing 7 innings of 3-hit ball. Aardsma struck out the side in the ninth for his 13th save. M's 33-34, 4.5 GB. Box score. Next game Sat. vs. ARI, 7:10 p.m.; Vargas vs. Buckner.
Mariners 4, Padres 3
Garrett Olson gives the M's six strong innings, and the bullpen throws scoreless relief -- in all, the Padres had just five hits. Half the offense came on Jose Lopez' 10th homer of the year. Griffey had a RBI double. The go-ahead run scored on a Padres' error, a wild pickoff throw to third by catcher Nick Hundley. Mike Carp walked in his first MLB at bat. M's 32-33, 5.5 GB. Box score. Next game Thursday @ SD., 12:35 p.m.; Morrow vs. Geer.
Mariners 5, San Diego 0
King Felix was amazing, throwing a two-hitter for his third career shutout. Sure, it's San Diego, but this is still the major leagues, folks. Padres starter Kevin Correia wasn't much worse, allowing two hits over eight innings -- but those hits were homers, to Gooters and Beltre. The M's tacked on three more in the ninth, two on a Griffey single. M's 31-33, 5.5 GB. Box score. Next game Weds. @ SD, 7:05 p.m.; Olson vs. Gaudin.
This Weekend in Sportsball
Trying something new this week--a little preview of the weekend in sports action, to help you not get sucked into brunch when there's a game to watch. (Or, allow you to get sucked into brunch so you can beg off later to watch a game.)
Marineros 2, Twins 1
Playing as the "Marineros" on "Salute to Latin American Baseball Day," the M's had their own "Salute to Elderly Ballplayers." Ichiro drove in the first run and scored the other on a Griffey opposite-field double. Jarrod Washburn allowed just one run in six innings, but Chris Jakubauskas poached the win in relief, his fourth (Wash only has three wins). Box score. Next game Sun. vs. MIN, 1:10 p.m.; Bedard vs. Kevin Slowey.
Mariners 8, Baltimore 2
Blah, blah, M's win, but what we really care about is...Griffey homered! A one-handed line drive that barely cleared the right-field wall, in a game that was pretty much over, but we will take it! The four-bagger was one of three extra-base hits for Junior, his most in a game since June '06. Erik Bedard pitched into the seventh, then turned the game over to Sean White, who escaped an icky jam. R. Branyan, in his first game as the #2 hitter, was 2-4 with 2 R and 2 RBI. And, last but not least, Ichiro extended his hitting streak to 26 with an infield hit in the first, breaking his own franchise record. Box score. Next game Wednesday vs. BAL, 7:10 p.m.; Vargas vs. Brad Bergesen.
Ichiro and Griffey Neck-and-Neck in All-Star Balloting
Two Mariners are virtually tied in fan voting for the third starting outfield spot on the American League All-Star team. Ichiro, who's on a 25-game hitting streak (a hit tonight would break his own franchise record), has 481,263 votes. Ken Griffey Jr. has 452,849. Both men have won All-Star Game MVP awards. You can vote online or at the park. Voting ends July 2, the game is July 14.
Ken Griffey Jr. in "The Nickels Dilemma"
Ken Griffey Jr. remains the Mariners' designated hitter, despite being one of the ten worst hitters in the major leagues. Why isn't Junior's job in jeopardy? Primarily because the M's don't have anyone better. Ken Griffey Jr. is the Greg Nickels of Seattle sports.
Last Chance to See Big Unit
Tonight, Randy Johnson will make his final pitching appearance at Safeco Field. Considering that without Randy Safeco Field may never have been built, it’s probably also Nick Licata's last chance to enact his revenge.
Mariners 5, Minnesota 3
Memories of the '90s: Griffey hits a clutch homer, and a frightening bullpen nearly gives the lead over. Four in the eighth--two on Griffey's blast--led the M's back, and Morrow held the Twins off though his control was real whack. Box score. Next game Tuesday @ Texas, 5:05 p.m., Jason Vargas vs. Scott Feldman.
The Reign of Prince Wlad Has Begun. Whither Griffey?
You may soon have to catch your Ken Griffey, Jr., highlights on ESPN Classic, because young slugger Wladimir Balentien is the team's best choice to play left field.
Our Ichiro's Back--Is There Gonna Be Trouble?
Should you choose to believe the baseball reportage of the Seattle Times' Geoff Baker--and you don't really have a choice, since he's the only Seattle reporter covering the team full-time--you'll accept that "team chemistry" is a critical facet of baseball success.
Mariners Open Season, Can't Get Much Worse
Erik Bedard and Adrian Beltre will probably be traded by July 31. Hopefully, Jarrod Washburn will go as well. They don’t even have to trade him; they can just leave him behind the counter at a Panda Express, or pretend to throw a tennis ball and drive off when he tries to find it.
Ken Griffey, Jr., Is Seattle's Again
A generation ago, Seattle's most famous person was a fictional clown who lived in the city dump.
There He Goes, See You Later, Griffey Is [Not Yet] a Brave.
[UPDATE: We have never been this excited to be so wrong. Griffey is coming to Seattle, and we have a smile from ear to ear!]
Mariners Strasburg Number at Two
1986 is probably the most overlooked Mariner season of all time. They were able to turn the league's worst record into number one pick Ken Griffey Jr. Their bottom of the barrel effort in 1992 led to Alex Rodriguez.
All Aboard the White Sox (Griffey) Bandwagon
With the Mariners taking the rest of the summer off, Seattlest (along with some other local rag) is adopting the Chicago White Sox as our fake team for the rest of the season.
Griffey Hits Home Run Number 600
Last night the clouds parted and for a moment the sun shone down on Seattle as Ken Griffey Jr. became the sixth player in baseball history to hit home run number 600.
Reaction to Hall of Famer Dave Niehaus
Mariner fans spent last night drinking champagne, and toasting Dave Niehaus’ selection to the Hall of Fame.
City Council Primary Preview: Position 3
Position 3 is the most anticipated city council race. It's an open seat, and that seems to be the only way to get new blood on the council.

