May 09, 2008
Frustrated Mariners
Evan Grant does a good job of promoting the games next week between Seattle and Texas:
A friendly community service reminder: The Rangers host Seattle for three games starting Monday. For those who can't land Stars tickets and want to see a fight, plenty of good seats are available in Arlington.
They could be three action-packed days.
Gabbard's leg is bruised, but the Rangers don't think the injury is serious. Sexson apologized for throwing his helmet at Gabbard, but I still think he should get a decent suspension out of the incident.
The frustration that led to the fight is more than just the hit batters in the game. Look at how the Mariners are hitting in May. In eight games, they've been held to two runs or less seven times, scoring just fourteen runs in total. As a team, they are hitting below the Mendoza line. They're hitting .137 with men in scoring position. They've only had three plate appearances with a man on third and less than two out! Their team OPS is .525! Take away Ichrio, and the rest of the team approaches the level of a National League pitcher.
It's a huge slump for a team that should really hit decently. What makes it worse is that they've been shutdown by New York and Texas, two teams that certainly had some pitching problems this season. Just to rub salt on the wound, they release Brad Wilkerson, who right now owns the highest OBA on the team. I'm not sure if the blame should go to the GM for putting the team together or the manger for not getting them to play up to their ability, but one of them should be on the hot seat right now.
I think it's funny that Sexson says Gabbard can "hit the corners at will" so it' obvious he was throwing at him. Gabbard walked 4 batters, and threw 33 strikes and 30 balls last night. Doesn't sound like a guy who was hitting anything at will. Really lame, Sexson, and the helmet throw was inexcusable.