Griffey returns; Mariners check out early

Ken Griffey, Jr. returned to Seattle for the first time since he was traded after the 1999 season to the Cincinnati Reds. Blame it on the scheduling folks for denying this exciting (and for some emotional) reunion, or give them props for waiting eight years to build the hype and anticipation.

I showed up late to the game to see one of my favorite players of all time - hell, probably my favorite - talking to the crowd before the game. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear anything where I was standing, as the sound system sucks when not in your seats. It didn't help that a bunch of drunk guys kept talking to the point where some little midget guy (not really, but he was small) was on the verge of going ape shit on them.

Anyway, the game starts, and Safeco Field is a powder keg waiting to blow. The first sold out crowd in a long time (I went on Wednesday to Weaver's 7-0 win, and there were 20,000+ fans there - this time there was 45,000+) was waiting for two things: the Mariners to kick some Cincinnati ass, and for Griffey to hit some home runs.

Instead, the game turned out to be the worst in Safeco Field history. Griffey started off in the first with a single and later scored, but followed it up with three strikeouts. As for the Mariners, neither the offense, pitching or defense realized they were supposed to play tonight, as they were held to two hits and the pitchers gave up an amazing 16 runs - and not a single RBI was attributed to The Kid.

Our starting pitcher, whose name I wouldn't even bother to attempt to spell, lasted not three innings and gave up a sickening nine runs, which completely took any energy out of the crowd. His replacement, Davis, looked good for a couple innings, until he ended up handing out seven more, mainly on home runs. One home run ball landed right next to me, but I didn't have the heart to elbow that little kid in the face to get his ball.

All in all, it was the worst Mariners game I have ever been to.

It was still cool to see Griffey, and to hear his name announced on the loudspeakers, and to see 40,000+ people standing and watching the video screen diligently as he talked - this really reminded me of the old days when people really cared about the Mariners (a.k.a. when the Mariners were really good). But to lose 16-1 is just embarrassing and a huge disappointment to the fans, who paid money to see an exciting game. After a while, when it was clear the Mariners were checked out earlier, I was completely okay with seeing Griffey hit a bunch of home runs, but it became such a one-sided game that he was removed in the sixth inning. At least put him in DH!

Seattle Mariners: In second place?

Wow, after a six game losing streak, the Seattle Mariners are back in second place thanks to a great star by Cha Seung Baek and a lucky (and smart) call by an umpire. While Oakland lost, Baek took the Mariners into the 6th inning with a no-hitter, and left with a 1-1 no decision. Then Bloomquist struck out with two men on... wait, he didn't! He swung, foul-tipped it to the catcher, and the catcher caught it - but he didn't actually caught it. He trapped it, so it wasn't a clean catch, and thus the strikeout that was not to be a strikeout gave Willie one more chance to get his second hit of the season. And he hit a double, to seal the deal for the Mariners.

Needless to say, I will be surprised if Baek is sent back down to the minors next week when Felix returns... after all, the Mariners can't possibly allow Jeff Weaver to embarrass himself again, can he?

Anyway, I'm now 2-0 on the season for games I've gone to, and both games have had fabulous, sunny, T-shirt weather.

Mariners clobber the Texas Rangers!

I just went to my first Seattle Mariners game of the year at wonderful Safeco Field, and in addition to beautiful, warm weather (for April), the Mariners made a laughing stock of the Rangers, going 14-6. The Rangers took an early 2-0 lead off Ramirez, who looked shaky in his first start (which didn't count due to snow) and looked shaky here. However, Ichiro hit a homer to lead off for the Mariners, and Vidro followed up with his first of two home runs of the day. Beltre rocketed a homer off the left field foul pole later in the day.

Ramirez escaped with only one earned run, but five runs were scored while he was on the mound. His command wasn't great, but he got the job done, I suppose. What really won it for the Mariners, other than some timely hitting, was the God-awful fielding and defense from the Rangers. The MLB is very lenient on handing out errors these days, so the Rangers only had three errors on the day, but there were three or four other misplays that ended up costing the team big. Some of the plays were harder than others, but at the pro level they should have made them, not botched them.

Anyway, I'm not complaining, but I almost - note, almost - felt sorry for the Rangers' defense. Their mamas must be so ashamed.

Seattle Mariners Undefeated!

The Seattle Mariners are undefeated! Who could believe it? Felix Hernandez does what only Pedro Martinez has done once and Randy Johnson has done twice: struck out 12 batters on opening day! Richie Sexson gets only one hit - but it's a hit that cost the A's three runs. The Seattle Mariners, projected to be a fourth place team, are in first place, and undefeated!

Okay, so the Mariners have only played one game this season, but I have to be excited! I mean, how can I not? How many more days will be the Mariners go undefeated? Go Mariners!