Mariners 6 ....
=== Ichiro ===
Two hits, two steals ... with the score 2-0 Oakland, scored the first run and drove in the tying run. Rickey once told a Mariner in the 1990's, "you guys always lose by one run and I always score two..."
Was picked off and grounded into a double play, so I'm sure he's clinically depressed after winning the game for the M's. The Japanese are into precision.
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=== Chone ===
Visibly more alert, visibly more aggressive, just visibly more into the ballgame. Chatted happily with bro' Milton and showed joyful body language.
Studied the pitches carefully and POUNCED when he got them -- a screaming meemie 1B from the left side, a solo HR from the right side.
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On the DP he threw away, we got our first look at the Figgins Ballet over at third. ... a tough, scooting shot down the line, he took four chop steps, and ...
You know how an umpire has his hands out for "safe," or how a 5-year-old plays airplane running around the house? Figgins had his arms splayed almost literally in a ballet finish-pose as hecomfortably welcomed the grounder into his mitt, stepped on third, and threw over...
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In 2009, Figgins was worth an amazing +61.2 runs above replacement, and only +16 of that was defense. That's OBP and speed for you at a glove spot.
He was the 12th-most valuable player in both leagues, per WAR, more valuable than Tulowitzki or Cabrera.
If the Mariners wind up contending in 2011, their calling card will be their twin All-Star leadoff hitters. Ichiro and Figgins are the (potential) star power on offense.
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=== Milton Bradley ===
His plate discipline was a big part of why an Opening Day starter had to be yanked with 4.2 IP in and the lead -- a terrible no-no for a manager.
Bradley's discipline, back-to-back with Figgins' and Cust's and everybody else's, produced a cumulative effect. I mean, do you remember all the Beltre and Lopez and Betancourt at bats? How's it feel to know that even if the M's lose to Brett Anderson Saturday, at least they'll be a very unpleasant evening for him?
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Shook his head angrily when called out in the first ... I told John, "if that's what he does every time, we're good."
Called out on strikes later... nodded his head vigorously, Yep, good call. :- O I'll take it.
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The jury's out on Bradley. SSI is cyber-worried about 'im. He swung through pitches.
Early line: 60-40 they'll have to replace Bradley in LF.
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Late in the game, with no hits yet but with the M's ahead, he was smiling broadly and chatting happily. MLB players will tell you that they watch for this. Some guys -- the club wins, but they're oh-fer? They're ticked off. Teammates don't appreciate it.
Sandy mentioned that Bradley's bipolar-type disorder --- > can be compared to his simply feeling emotions much more acutely than we do.
Word. His shenanigans don't mean that he's a cruel person. It's a problem of behaving like a very young person, as opposed to being a Jose Guillen-type agitator.
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