Michael Pineda dominates: If you don’t know the name Michael Pineda yet, time to learn. The fireballing Venezuelan beast (he’s 6’5″, 225) began his bid to make the Mariner’s starting rotation on a high note. Pineda threw two perfect innings against the Diamondbacks, allowing only one ball to be hit out of the infield. The M’s 5-3 loss is of far less consequence.
State hoops extravaganza starts today: The WIAA’s new format for state hoops gives us a cavalcade of boys quarterfinal games today at the Tacoma Dome — eight in a row, beginning at 9 a.m. The Tacoma News-Tribune has a nice preview of each 3A boys and girls team, and each 4A boys and girls team.
Pac-10 fires 11 football referees: New head of officiating Mike Pereira is shaking up the monolith of incompetence that was Pac-10 football officiating, firing 11 referees and hiring 16 from other conferences.
Mariners add mediocre lefty: The Mariners traded for Cleveland’s Aaron Laffey, a sinkerballing lefty. Laffey has started and relieved in a sporadic MLB career. The Mariners gave up utility infielder prospect Matt Lawson and cash.
What they’re saying…
“I’m not saying (Pac-10 football officiating) was horrible, but it was not at the level that it deserved to be and that this conference deserves to have.” — Mike Pereira
“I don’t think Husky nation should be worried. We’re going to take care of business.” — Justin Holiday
In other news..
M’s catcher Miguel Olivo will call the pitches this year, not the dugout.
Husky guard Isaiah Thomas has the best GPA on the team.
Former Mariner Carlos Silva got into a fight with Cubs teammate Aramis Ramirez.
Some guy wants to make Sir-Mix-a-Lot’s Sonics’ playoff anthem “Not in Our House” the new state song?
The Sounders signed two new players including Lamar Neagle from Federal Way.
The next seven days in Seattle sports…
Today
State hoops quarterfinals at the Tacoma Dome, first game at 9 a.m., last game at 9 p.m.
Hoops: Washington vs. UCLA at Hec Ed, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Friday, March 4
Baseball: Mariners vs. Cincinnati, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
State hoops semifinals at the Tacoma Dome, first game at 3:45 p.m., last game at 9 p.m.
Cascadia Summit soccer: Sounders vs. Portland at Starfire Sports Complex, 7:30 p.m. (SoundersFC.com video)
Saturday, March 5
Baseball: Mariners vs. Cleveland, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
Hoops: Seattle U at Idaho, 7 p.m. (710-AM)
Hoops: USC at Washington, 7:30 p.m. (FSN)
State 3A Girls Hoops Championship Game at Tacoma Dome, 3 p.m. (US-joined in progress)
State 4A Girls Hoops Championship Game at Tacoma Dome, 5 p.m. (FSN)
State 3A Boys Hoops Championship Game at Tacoma Dome, 7 p.m. (US)
State 4A Boys Hoops Championship Game at Tacoma Dome, 9 p.m. (FSN)
Sunday, March 6
Baseball: Mariners at San Francisco, 12:05 p.m. (710-AM)
Cascadia Summit Soccer: Sounders vs. Vancouver at Starfire Sports Complex, 3 p.m. (SoundersFC.com video)
Monday, March 7
Baseball: Mariners at Oakland, 12:05 p.m. (No radio)
Tuesday, March 8
Baseball: Mariners at San Francisco, 12:05 p.m. (No radio)
Wednesday, March 9
Baseball: Mariners at Dodgers, 12:05 p.m. (MLB Network)
Soccer: Sounders vs. Colorado at Qwest, Community Shield Charity Match, 7 p.m.
3 Comments
People keep saying that they had 2 bad losses at the end but were one of the hottest teams prior to losing these 2 games. Also, if you look at most of the losses prior to UCLA and Ore. St. all the losses were to good teams ( Nevada #2, St. Louis #2, Duke #2, Marquette #2 or #3, S. Dakota St. and Colardo conference tournament winner.) they had a tougher non-conference schedule than both Cal and Col w/ Cal getting blown out by Missouri but beating a bottom SEC team in Georgia. Colarado’s toughest non-conference sched was either Colorado St. or Air force – they also played Georgia and beat bottom SEC team. My problem is when people say UW has no non-conference wins but they forget to leave out that most of these losses were on the road (travels to NY to play 2 East Coast teams). If they played lesser competition like Cal or Colarado, their non-conference record would be better. Plus, I feel it takes away from them being a consistent team in conference play as they had the best record prior to the tournament. Colarado earned at berth in the Big Dance but to say that Cal should go over UW is questionable. Cal may have beat UW but it was on game and was decided on last second shot w/ no chance for UW for rematch d/t conference scheduling. Also, if the Dawgs played in another West Coast Conference they would do just as well as St. Mary’s or Gonzaga (I have also looked up their non-conference and conference schedule – no as grueling as UW) and it is also not that great. I have also watched both of these teams play on tv and they do not jump out as so much better or no better than the UW and believe they would have a worse record if they played in the PAC 12 but due to name or weak scheduling they happen to be ranked. The selections to the Big Dance is really subjective with the Dawgs having chances to control their own destiny but please stop saying that other teams are more deserving when taking into consideration other factors. RPI is BS as Arizona and Oregon have higher RPI’s than UW but UW sweeped UA and 1-1 vs Ore w/ UW winning regular season conference title.
Drexler’s record may be better but they play in weaker conference. Experts are saying they deserve to go, but remember they didn’t win their conference tournament either.
Remember Cal lost to both WSU and Oregon State during the regular season.
I think they dererve to be in one of the play-in games. Bad precedent to set to fully deny an outright major conference champ.