M’s losing streak reaches seven: The highlight of Mariners’ opening day was the pre-game ceremony. The highlight of the Mariners’ season may end up being that pre-game ceremony if the M’s keep playing like this. Anemic offense, bookended by substandard pitching from Vargas and Bedard, led to a second consecutive series sweep. Horrifying, as it looks like we may be headed toward another 100-loss season. At least today is King Felix Day. Mariners 2-7, 4th place, 6 GB. Next game today vs. Toronto.
Wilson/Wedge controversy: Turns out that Wedge didn’t pull Jack Wilson from Wednesday’s game, Wilson took himself out. Wedge called the action “unspeakable” before Friday’s game, and Wilson didn’t play the whole series. However, Wedge said before Sunday’s game that “Jack’s our second baseman,” and Wilson will likely be back in today. In the list of problems the Mariners have, Jack Wilson and Eric Wedge not being on the same page is about 8,947th.
Sounders get first win: New striker O’Brian White picked up the slack in Fredy Montero’s absence, scoring on an incredible header off of a Mauro Rosales cross. Steve Zakuani added the other goal on a nice run into the box, and Kasey Keller once again made some tremendous second-half saves to preserve the Sounders first win. Sounders 1-2-2, 5 pts, T4th in Western Conf. Next game Saturday @ Philadelphia.
Top 5 longest April Mariner losing streaks…
1) 11 games, April 1979
2) 8 games, April 1985
3) 7 games, April 2011
4) 7 games, April 1998
5) 6 games, April 2006
What they’re saying…
“You have to stay confident. You have to be confident that the things you worked on in spring training will stay with you.” — Eric Wedge
“No one in here is going to panic. Weve got to do better.” — Mariners home run leader Ryan Langerhans.
“Hes a quiet dude. But on the field he fights for the ball. Thats two unbelievable headers hes scored for us. Thats pure battling.” — Brad Evans on O’Brian White
In other news…
The producer of Sonicsgate was thrown out of Howard Schultz’ book signing Friday merely for wearing a Sonics hat. Here’s video.
The Mariners brought up Chris Gimenez to replace injured backup catcher Adam Moore.
UW recruit Tony Wroten had a game-high five assists in the prestigious Nike Hoop Summit international all-star game in Portland Saturday.
The Seahawks blog Field Gulls is maintaining this unofficial tracker of Seahawks draft workouts/visits.
Seven days closer to a championship…
Monday, April 11
Mariners vs. Toronto @ Safeco, 7:10 p.m. King Felix Day! (ROOT)
Tuesday, April 12
Mariners vs. Toronto @ Safeco, 7:10 p.m. Pineda Day! (ROOT)
Wednesday, April 13
Mariners vs. Toronto @ Safeco, 12:40 p.m. Mariners calendar! (ROOT)
Thursday, April 14
Mariners @ Kansas City, 5:10 p.m. (ROOT)
Friday, April 15
Mariners @ Kansas City, 5:10 p.m. (ROOT)
Saturday, April 16
Mariners @ Kansas City, 10:10 a.m. (ROOT)
Sounders @ Philadelphia Union, 1 p.m. (KONG)
Sunday, April 17
Mariners @ Kansas City, 11:10 a.m. (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 furniture deliveries during a big game.