We just needed a new article, as the previous one was getting too bloated, and Vegas has not written a Pokémon article yet. And let me take this opportunity to say that Vegas is rude and ornery when it comes to the Mariners.
The Updates!
Melania’s Mariners Update of the Day – 7/20/2016
Sadly the Mariners broke their one game winning streak last night, losing 6-1 against the White Sox. Fortunately the Rangers and Astros were taken down by the mighty A’s and Angels. (Quick side note, I said that I doubt the Rangers go over .250 in the second half, and they are currently sitting at .200) The Mariners are still sitting at 7.5 games down in the AL West, and 5.5 games down in the Wild Card Standing. In 5 short hours, Felix will take the mound for the first time in what seems like 3 months. I doubt he will come right back as the Felix we know and love, but just getting him on the mound should light a spark in the whole organization.
Melania’s Mariners Update of the Day: (Part one – The Good) – 7/21/2016
King Felix returned yesterday after 2 months off to a rather shaky start. With one man on and two outs in the first inning, Felix stuck out Morneau for the 3rd out, but unfortunately the umpire instead called ball 4 to walk Morneau. Felix was obviously upset, and was not thinking straight when he faced Frazier, which then turned into a 3 run homerun. Felix did calm down after that, only allowing 2 more runs. In the bottom of the 2nd, the White Sox smartly walked Kyle Seager, but this backfired as Martin brought him in with a 2 run homerun. Fast forward to the bottom of the 7th, and Zunino does what he does, a 2 run homerun. (Side note, Zumino is still a +1 slugger at 1.091 slugging percent.) In the 8th Lind got into the homerun party with a one run blast. Extra innings followed until the bottom of the 11th, when Martin decided he was done playing for the day. Nothing says I am ready to go home like a 378 foot walk off homerun. I have been thinking for a while now, just having Felix back makes the whole team better. Yesterday showed this.
Melania’s Mariners Update of the Day: (Part two – The Bad) – 7/21/2016
The Mariners traded away my favorite young pitcher, Mike Montgomery to the Cubs. This year Mike was in the bullpen (outside of one start for Walker) instead of a starter like last year. Despite being demoted this year, Mike was having a good year. His ERA is at 2.34, he struck out 54 and only walked 18. What did we get in return? A white Dae Ho Lee (Nav’s words, I do not know much about him yet) and a pitcher, Blackburn. Vogelbach plays 1st base, and it appears the Mariners are looking to replace Lind (from what I have read.) “Vogelbach is like a Travis Hafner type w/ feel to hit, power and patience… without being a big strikeouts type.” “Blackburn is 22, former comp pick…has been a consistent performer at every level…heavy groundball type w/ 90-93 FB, avg breaker and a solid avg CH…plus strike thrower w/ plus command” I am not sure, maybe we came up on top here, but I really hate to see Mike go. *Quotes taken from Jim Browden – ESPN Senior Writer.
Melania’s Mariners Update of the Day: (Part three – The Ugly) – 7/21/2016
Kyle Lewis, our first round 5 tool player, injured himself yesterday on a collision at home plate. From the reports, he tore his ACL as well as medial and lateral meniscus in his right knee. This is a big setback for Kyle as he was having a good year, and promised to move quickly up in the ranks. From what I am reading, he will be out recovering/rehabbing for the rest of the year.
Melania’s Mariners Update of the Day – 7/22/2016
The Mariners are heading (actually they are likely already there) to Toronto to sweep the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are currently 5.5 games ahead of the Mariners in the Wild Card standing, so this will help the Mariners out quite a bit. Astros are about to get swept by the Angels, and the Rangers are about to get swept by the Royals, so it should be a good Mariners weekend.
Melania’s Rainiers Update of the Day – 7/26/2016
The Tacoma Rainiers won last night 6-4 against Salt Lake. The Rainiers are sitting at 59-42, or 17 over 500. This puts Tacoma 3.5 games ahead of the Northern Pacific Coast League. Our boy Mike Zunino is near the top in most batting stats. 3rd in average (.286), 2nd in runs (47), 1st in homeruns (17), and 2nd in RBIs (57) His slugging percentage in AAA is only .521 however. I would say he needs to work on this, but he really needs to continue helping the Mariners instead.
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