The error was "eh" but he was rushing to get a runner. He played a couple of funky hops fine, like the bounced throw from Olivo. There's not a lot of astroturf around to play on anymore, so it's not an experience our young kids tend to be familiar with.
But he's pretty brilliant with a bat. I agree with you, ditch Figgins and that timid swing ASAP. Especially with the aggressive intent that Seager shows at the plate. Saunders looked good at the plate, even with the bonehead baserunning move. We should have won easily against a good pitcher, but I'm glad we fought it out.
Already I feel like our MOTO could take some pressure off other folks in the lineup. Montero had an off-the-label fly out that was "shortened wrists" from being crushed, Smoak looked good even if the results weren't there, and the Ackley/Ichiro duo performed perfectly. And I was happy to see Smoak as our cleanup guy. I didn't want to see Montero there yet - he's got enough pressure.
Carp was pressing. He swung at some stuff that he really should not have. A breaking ball in off the plate that wasn't CLOSE and he whiffed a foot over the top of it.
But he should settle down nicely. Olivo getting an infield base hit was pretty funny.
After Day One the only batter I hate is Figgins. If we went to war with the other 8 positions filled as-is the rest of the year I'd feel pretty good about it.
Not playoffs-good but certainly competitive-good.
Playoffs-good would require more TOR pitchers in the lineup. I'm waiting to see how Noesi does, and Erasmo from the pen.
And whether we'll add one TOR arm or two as the season goes on. But for now? Mariner baseball looks interesting again.
Even if we couldn't get Felix a win, which raised echoes of the last couple of years. That'll change - hopefully as soon as game 3.
~G
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