Texas 7, Mariners 3: Both the offense and the defense let Felix Hernandez down in the M’s fourth consecutive loss. Jack Wilson botched two double plays in the same inning, the M’s recorded just six hits, and the bullpen let the game get out of hand. Hernandez’ seven inning, two earned run outing got him a loss. Unfair. Here’s John’s story. Mariners 2-4, 3rd place, 4 GB. Next game Friday (opening day!) vs. Cleveland.
Moore injured: Backup catcher Adam Moore injured his knee chasing after a ball in the dirt. He was walking with a heavy limp after the game, and will almost assuredly go on the DL today, with the M’s making some sort of roster move.
Wilson benched: After dropping a relay throw on one double play, and throwing wildly to first on another, Jack Wilson was replaced by utility man Luis Rodriguez. Despite Wilson’s highlight-reel-level defensive play earlier in the week, the experiment of putting him at second is not working out.
Top five things Mariners need to do to compete in AL West…
1) Hit better
2) Field better
3) Get a new bullpen
4 and 5) Get Texas disqualified from league
What they’re saying…
“That right there is unacceptable to have that happen with the game we were getting from Felix (Hernandez). There was no excuse for it at all. Not catching a ball thrown to you is ridiculous. That’s all on me. Today’s whole loss is on that second inning and what I wasn’t able to do” — Jack Wilson
“We didn’t play very well today.” — Eric Wedge
“Weve got to get ourselves out of where were at right now.” — Sounders technical director Chris Henderson
In other news…
The M’s seem to be striving for mediocrity, writes Art. (And they’re not even managing that.)
Sounders striker Fredy Montero could still play Saturday vs. Chicago Fire. He’s recovering from a slight wrist fracture. In that story by Stanley he talks to Sounders’ technical director Chris Henderson about the possibility of adding international players.
The Tacoma Rainiers and Dustin Ackley start their season tonight in Sacramento. You can watch the game on MiLB.tv.
USS Mariner’s Jay Yencich previews the M’s farm clubs at AAA Tacoma and AA Jackson (formerly West Tennessee).
Neat piece from Todd: With Isaiah Thomas gone, who’s the Huskies leader?
Now ex-Huskies Matthew Bryan-Amaning and Justin Holiday are playing in the pre-NBA-draft Portsmouth Invitational. (Other players of note: Luke Sikma, Adrian Oliver, Stephen Gray.) Amaning had 16 points and 8 boards in a game yesterday. Holiday’s team plays today.
Check out the Huskies’ Holiday Bowl rings, which they got yesterday.
Seven days closer to a championship…
Today, April 7
NADA
Friday, April 8
M’s Opening Night vs. Cleveland @ Safeco, 7:10 p.m. Magnetic Schedules! (ROOT)
Saturday, April 9
Sounders vs. Chicago @ Qwest, 1 p.m. (KING-5)
Mariners vs. Cleveland @ Safeco, 6:10 p.m. Felix Bobblehead! (ROOT)
Sunday, April 10
Mariners vs. Cleveland @ Safeco, 1:10 p.m. Ichiro T-shirt! (ROOT)
Monday, April 11
Mariners vs. Toronto @ Safeco, 7:10 p.m. Half-price family night! (ROOT)
Tuesday, April 12
Mariners vs. Toronto @ Safeco, 7:10 p.m. (ROOT)
Wednesday, April 13
Mariners vs. Toronto @ Safeco, 12:40 p.m. Mariners calendar! (ROOT)
Check out my Seattle sports calendar, currently listing all M’s, Sounders, Storm and Husky football games. I use it in conjunction with my Google calendar to make sure I don’t schedule my hikes up Mt. Si during a big game.