It's Raining in Seattle (A Dual M's and Rainiers Franchise) MLB13 The Show

[Deuce2223]

TEAM REPORT

(Stats plus more)

Coming into the 2013 season, Mariners fans were hoping for atleast a .500 ball club wit high expectations of 85-90 wins. So far through April with a 13-15 record most are feeling okay about the team. Morse, Morales, Ibanez were brought in to provide some pop. Ackley, Seager, Smoak and Saunders/Gutierrez were expected to improve, and most were hoping Montero would just hit. So far we have seen a litte of all.

Morse has been the biggest surprise leading the team with a .368 BA well leading the team in HR (7) and RBI (20). Ibanez has been solid as well batting .289 with 4 HR and 17 RBI, and Morales playing just half the month with 39 AB's is batting .459 with 4 Solo HR's.

Well Saunders (.269 1 HR 6 RBI), Gutierrez (.232 1 HR 9 RBI) and Smoak (.259 1 HR 14 RBI) have continued to struggle. Ackley and Seager are showing signs of being All-Stars. Ackley is batting .277 with 5 HR and tied with Morse with 20 RBI and 4 SB's., and Seager is batting .296 with 6 HR and 10 RBI and 3 SB.

And Montero? Well he is batting .273 with 2 HR and 12 RBI.

On the Mound Felix has been the King going 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA. Throwing 2 complete game/shutouts and leads the team in innings pitched with 51 and K's with 47.

FA J. Saunders (3-2 2.68 ERA) and Fireballer B. Beavan (2-1 2.70 ERA) have also been solid, as has Rookie B. Maurer who is getting zero run support (0-2 but has a 2.80 ERA). After last season most assumed that H. Iwakuma would be a solid #2 but he has struggled (1-3 with a 6.75 ERA and only 1 quality start). Some wonder if maybe a trip to AAA Tacoma would help.

The bullpen was thought to be solid, but so far the only bright spots have been Carter Capps (1-2 3.38 ERA), D. Farquhar (0-2 2.76 ERA) and LHP . Furbush (1-1 3.46 ERA). Closer T. Wilhelmsen has a ERA over 5.00 but does have 7 saves well LHP O. Perez, LHP L. Lutege and RHP S. Pryor all have ERA's in the high 4's. Leaving most to assume moves to Tacoma will be happening very soon.

Things are exciting in Tacoma. A new GM in "The Deuce", a new manager in Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg, and a team that is playing solid baseball (16-10).

N. Franklin has been a team leader since Day 1 and it shows as he is batting .282 with 4 HR and 11 RBI. M Zunino also has shown was a Top-3 pick batting .312 with 3 HR and 14 RBI, B. Mills acquired in a trade is batting .292 with 4 HR and 11 RBI and FA signing C. Patterson is batting .355 with 1 HR and 4 RBI. However the biggest story might be OF J. Blash who after hitting over .400 and 8 HR's in AA has joined the Tacoma and in 36 AB's is batting .278 with 2 HR and 10 RBI.

On the mound D. Hultzen is pitching like a guy who wants to be in Seattle leading the team with 4 wins and a 2.55 ERA. H. Noesi (2.77 ERA) and E. Ramirez (2-1 3.57 ER) have been steady, but the biggest story has been SP J. Bonderman (2-1 1.57 ERA) and the bullpen. J. Kinney (2-1) with a
0.89 ERA in 20 innings, B. Lafromboise (2-0) with 18 scoreless innings and C. Smith 7/7 in Save opts.

The Generals are playing the best of the 3 teams gong 17-8 and are currently in 1st place in the Southern League.

Part of their success belongs to Blash and now Brad Miller in AAA, but that doesn't mean Jackson is void of talent. Here is a look at some of their top performers

OF L. Landry .345 3 HR 14 RBI 6 SB
1B J. Choi .341 3 HR 17 RBI
3B P. Kivlehan .424 4 HR 15 RBI (currently on 15 day DL)
C. M. Littlewood .396 in 48 AB's
1B/2B D. Paolini .313 4 HR 13 RBI

SP T. Walker 3 wins, 1.80 ERA in last 3 starts, 3-2 6.88 for the month
SP A. Carraway 2-0 2.11 ERA
CP L. Bawcom 11/11 saves 0.79 ERA

[Deuce2223]

Quote: Originally Posted by MLamm16

I really like the Amazing April idea. Mind if I incorporate the same idea in your last post in my chise? How do you plan on checking the stats for a month in the upcoming months?

Use anything you see that you like. Glad you enjoyed it and are following. As far as stats going forward, I typically either just take their totals at the end of May and subtract. Or for some guys you can go to the Who's Hot and just talk about stats over the Past 10 games.

[Deuce2223]

TACOMA FINDS SUCCESS AT STATESMAN PARK

The Rainiers opened the month of May finshing up their 4 game series with Tucson before hosting the league leading Reno Aces for a 4 game series.

There were a few rosters made at the end of April. LHP R. Elias was sent down to AA Jackson and LHP B. Moran (65 D) was called up to take his place in the bullpen.

Game 1 Recap (Loss 2-6) vs Tucson

Hultzen had his shortest outing of the season, going just 4 1/3 giving up 4 runs on 6 hits well walking 3 and striking out 4. Y. Medina didn't fair much better going 1 2/3 giving up 2 runs well walking 3. Then Brian Moran made his AAA debut and finished the game pitching 3 scoreless innings giving up 3 hits and striking out 4.

B. Mills hit his team leading 5th HR (2-run shot) going 2/4. Brad Miller wet 0/4 out of the leadoff spot and is batting .125 since being called up.

Game 2 Recap (Win 6-4) vs Tucson

It was actually 6-0 until the 9th when H. Kuo gave up 4 runs, leading to his demotion to AA Jackson. RHP C. Ruffin who started the year with Tacoma was called up to take his place.

SP J. Bonderman off to a terrific start had to leave the game after just 2 2/3 with a torn finger legment (out 2-3 weeks). No word on who will take his spot in the rotation. Y. Medina picked up the win (1-0) and C. Smith got his 8th save.

On Offense it was a pair of HR's doing the damage. J. Blash 2/5 with his 3rd AAA HR and 11th of the year and E. Chavez 1/4 with a 3 run HR.

Game 3 (Win 3-2) vs Reno

Backup catcher J. Sucre is starting to impress. Well he doesn't hit for power he all singles, he goes 3/4 with the game winning RBI and is now batting .433

E. Farris and J. Blash also add RBI's in the win.

On the mound H. Noesi went 6.0 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 runs well striking out 4. B. Lafromboise adds to his scoreless streak pitching 2 innings striking out 3 to get the "W".

Game 4 (Loss 5-6) vs Reno *11 Innings*

A. Fernandez struggled yet again in his 2nd start in AAA as Ryno continues to struggled finding a reliable #5 SP. Fernandez went 5 innings giving up 4 runs on 8 hits, but it was actually CP C. Smith who blew the save giving up 2 runs on 4 hits in 1 2/3 that took the loss as this game went into extra innings.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (Reno's parent club) signed former SF Giants closer Brian Wilson to a 2 yr deal to add depth behind struggling JJ Putz. Wilson made a appearance in the 11th and struck out 2 to get the save.

At the plate it was 1B B. Mills hitting his 6th HR of the year (a grand slam) B. Miller showing signs of life going 2/5 with a SB and N. Franklin going 2/5 with a Triple and a SB.

Game 5 (Win 12-5) vs Reno

B. Miller again came up big going 3/4 scoring 2 runs. M. Zunino went 3/5 scoring 3 and driving in 3. D. Almonte was 1/3 with a 2-run double. C. Patterson was 1/4 with a bases loaded double (3 RBI) and R. Poythress in a rare AB went 1/3 with a 2 run HR (#2 on the year).

On the mound injuries struck again as another SP goes down. E. Ramirez leaves after 3 1/3 giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, walking 3. (Extent and injury at this time were unavailable)

C. Ruffin making his AAA debut picks up the win (1-0) going 2 2/3 striking out 3. Medina,Kinney and Moran all pitch scoreless innings as well.

Game 6 (Win 3-1) vs Reno *10 Innings*

The 2nd extra innings game in 3 days, and the pitching staff is tired. 2 injuries and a depleted bullpen but the Rainiers hold on to get the W and move into a 1st Place tie for the division.

D. Hultzen looking for his 5th win was dominate going 7 innings giving up just 1 run on 4 hits well striking out 7, but would get the no-decision. Ruffin pitched 1/3 striking out his batter. Lafromboise pitched 2/3 adding to his streak and Y. Medina picked up he "W" (now 2-0) even after walking 3 in 2 innings of work.

For Reno their SP (Spruill) went 8 innings giving up 6 hits and 1 run, former CP A. Meo took the loss going 1 2/3 giving up the game winning HR.


The Game winning HR was off the bat of S. Romero 1/4 ( his 2nd of the season). M. Zunino was 1/4 with a RBI that tied the game in the 4th. C. Patterson was 2/4 and scored twice.

[Deuce2223]

RAINIERS PUT 2 ON THE DL, DEMOTE 2, CALL UP 3 AND TRADE FOR ANOTHER!!

GM Ryan "Deuce" Scott of the Tacoma Rainiers was a busy man today.. After putting 2 of his starting SP (J. Bonderman and E. Ramirez) on the 15-Day DL and demoting SP A. Fernandez back to AA Jackson. Deuce and manager Ryne Sandberg had some decisions to make.

The first was recalling 2 SP's who started the year in the rotation, LHP J. Paxton and RHP A. Callaway. The next was to promote the 3rd of the "Big 3" as #1 Prospect Tajuan Walker (77 A) is headed to Tacoma. Walker struggled starting the year in AA Jackson going 0-2 with a ERA over 6.00 but in his last 3 starts he is 3-0 with a ERA of 1.80.

Paxton was 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his 2 starts in Jackson well Carraway went 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA after being demoted because of his plus 6.00 ERA, so both are looking to put past struggles behind them and show they can be solid AAA pitchers and hopefully one day MLB pitchers.

In another move 1B R. Poythress was sent down to AA Jackson hoping to get some AB's. With the play of Beu Mills, Poythress (.244 3 HR 13 RBI) wasn't seeing much action.

Taking his spot at Tacoma is a player coming in via a Trade. With a tired bullpen and another 6 games before their next day off, Deuce and Ryno decided it was best to add another arm to the bullpen.

Deuce traded 2 promising prospects (20 yr old OF G. Pimentel (62C), 22 yr old 3B S. Proscia (66 C) and LHP RP J. Gillheeney (59 C) to the New York Mets. Pimentel and Proscia both will report to AAA, so chances are they will get to see their former club this season.

In exchange the Rainiers added the Mets #11 Prospect 21 yr old RHP Domingo Tapia (72 B). Tapia has a outstanding fastball and some feel if he can add another pitch or 2 he could be a pretty decent #3/#4 SP but it is believed Deuce and Sandberg will use him out of the bullpen and as a possible CP if Smith should falter or be called up. Tapia was 1-0 in 1 start in AA since being called up from Single A, earlier in the week.

[Deuce2223]

WALKER DOMINATES IN DEBUT!!

You couldn't have wrote a better story unless it was maybe in Hollywood. After starting the year in AA going 0-2 in his first starts, Walker rebounded to win 3 straight earning him a promotion to Tacoma.

Walker would face the Oklahoma City Redhawks in his debut and would shine, pitching the complete game well giving up just 5 hits as the Rainiers win 5-0. What was most impressive was Walker's 10 SO's to 1 BB ratio.

N. Franklin provided all the run support that Walker would need driving in 3 in the 3rd on a bases loaded double as he finished 2/5 on the night. S. Romero was 2/5 as well and scored twice. A. Liddi and D. Almonte added RBI's in the 4th. J. Sucre went 2/4 and is still batting .441 on the season leading to rumors he could be headed to Seattle.

[Deuce2223]

@

After watching Walker dominate in the complete game win in Game 1 of the Series, the Rainiers stayed hot wining the next 2 games as well before falling in Game 4. Here is a Recap of those 3 games.

Game 2 (Win 5-4)

Brad Miller struggled when he first got to Tacoma, but in the past week has caught fire and is hitting like he did in AA. Miller was 3/5 (all doubles) with 2 runs scored raising his Avg to .357. B. Mills hit HR #7 (2-run shot) and M. Zunino went 3/5 (batting .336).

On the mound H. Noesi went 5 1/3 giving up 4 runs on 7 hits well striking out 3. B. Lamfromboise pitched 2 2/3 giving up 1 hit and raising his scoreless inning streak to 23. He was also credited with the "W" (now 3-0). C. Smith pitched the 9th striking out 2 to earn his 9th save.

Game 3 (Win 5-3)

Zunino continues to swing a hot bat going 3/5 with 2 doubles driving in 2. Mills also was on fire going 3/3 with a run scored and RBI. (now batting .326).

J. Paxton picks up his first AAA "W" going 6.0 innings giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 7. B. Moran pitched 2 scoreless striking out 3 and Smith pitched the 9th for his 10th save.

Game 4 (Loss 0-5)

T. Blackley throws the complete game shutout giving up just 8 hits well walking 2 and striking out 3. LF Marc Krauss was the hero at the plate with a 3 run HR and 3B B. Laird added a 2 run shot.

For Tacoma. A. Carraway couldn't duplicate what Walker and Paxton did picking up a W and instead was handed his first loss of the year. Carraway went 5 giving up 3 runs (2ER) on 6 hits. Y. Medina relieved him in the 6th and gave up the Laird HR. Lafromboise and J. Kinney finished the game with scoreless innings.

[Deuce2223]

(23-13) @ (16-20)

The final 4 game series in the 19 game stretch and 8th straight on the road, gave the Rainiers some high's an low's. Here is a Recap of the 4 game series, starting with the High's in Game 1.


Game 1 (Win 10-0)

D. Hultzen would continue to pitch like he wants to be in the M's rotation as he throws the a no hitter!!. Hultzen did give up a walk in the 5th to lose the perfect game and walked 2 more to finish with 3 and 6 K's. With the win, Hultzen is now 5-2 with a 2.00 ERA.

Beau Mills also shined, showing why GM "The Deuce" traded for him at the beginning of the season. Mills went 3/5 with 3 runs scored his 8th HR of the season driving in 3. M. Zunino is finding hitting in front of Mills does him good too, as he goes 3/5 scoring 3 runs and driving in 1.

D. Almonte and A. Liddi both added 2 RBI's a piece.

Game 2 Recap (Loss 0-4)

Watching his teammate throw a no-hitter the night before, and thinking back to his own 10 K's shutout in his debut must of been to much pressure for T. Walker. Walker would hit back to back batters in the 4th then walk the next batter to load the bases. 1B C. Valaika would then unload those bases with a double.

Other then the 1 inning Walker actually pitched very good, going 5 innings giving up just 4 hits and striking out 6. (now 1-1). Y. Medina pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th and Domingo Tapia made his Tacoma debut pitching the 8th striking out the side.

Ryno

Quote:

"Tapia was just nasty tonight, hitting 99 mph with his fastball and his sinker was working really well as well"

For the Zephyrs it was T. Koehler pitching the complete game shutout giving up just 6 hits well striking out 4.

E. Chavez led the Rainiers going 2/3, and J. Sucre and E. Farris each went 1/3.

Game 3 Recap (Loss 1-3)

Again failure to score runs puts to much pressure on the Tacoma staff. S. Romero did hit his 2nd HR of the year (1/4 solo shot) and F. Martinez, J. Blash and B. Mills all went 2/4 but in the end they just couldn't get anyone across the plate.

H. Noesi took the loss (0-2) going 5 innings giving up 3 runs on 4 hits well walking 3 and striking out 3. B. Lafromboise pitched 2 scoreless innings striking out 3 and Moran pitched a scoreless 8th.

Ryno on Lafromboise

Quote:

I can't remember the last time I have seen a pitcher start the year with 25 scoreless innings of relief. This kid deserves to be in the show

Game 4 Recap (Loss 0-1)

Everyone needs a dayoff and luckily for the Rainiers it's tomorrow. Tacoma managed just 6 hits as E. Villanueva (7 innings 5 hits) and A. Caminero (2 inning 1 hit) combine on the shutout.

James Paxton took the loss (1-4) going 6 innings giving up the 1 run on 7 hits. He walked 4 and struckout 6.

Ryno-

Quote:

I thought Pax pitched great, we just didn't get it done at plate. Rumors are Deuce is working on some trades, so I guess we will see who is in the lineup on Thursday against Memphis

After the day off, Tacoma will host Memphis (28-12) for a 4 game series at home in Statesman Park, then host the (23-17) Nashville Sound in the start of a 20 game stretch.

[Deuce2223]

Seattle/Tacoma continues to be a hot spot when it comes to trades and trade rumors. First let's get to the trade. Tacoma GM "The Deuce" dealt OF E. Chavez (75 C) to the Cincinnati Reds for SP Andrew Cisco (62 C). The 22 yr old RHP was rated the #19 Top prospect and shows huge upside after being drafted in the 6th round out of high school.

The Reds had to land a OF after their top 3 CF all landed on the DL.. S. Choo is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a Torn Finger Lingament, well Y. Rodriguez and top prospect B. Hamilton are out 1-2 months with a torn calf and broken arm.

Chavez will report straight to Cincinnati well Cisco is headed to join the rotation at AA Jackson.

Deuce called up OF Leon Landry (acquired from the Dodgers in the B. League trade) to take Chavez's spot in Tacoma. Landry was originally a 3rd round draft pick and was batting .366 with 6 HR, 22 RBI's and 9 SB's in Jackson.

Ryno

Quote:

After the success that F. Martinez, J. Blash and B. Miller have had in moving up to Tacoma, we are excited to get Landry. Like Chavez he bats from the left sideso he could make a nice platoon partner in CF with Martinez

Rumors are this won't be the last deal by the Seattle organization as they are looking at making moves at the MLB level where the M's are currently 20-20 in 2nd place in the AL West, 3 games back of the Texas Rangers.

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times is reporting that the M's are looking at possible trades involving CF F. Gutierrez (.239 1 HR 9 RBI) to the Cub's who are without CF I. DeJeus and RF S. Hairston both on the DL or the Minnesota Twins who have a struggling A. Hicks in CF and J. Benson and top prospect B. Buxton both on the DL. As far as who them M's might be looking to add that is still a mystery. Chicago's farm system has a lot of above average arms, who the M' could continue to stock pile for future deals, well the Twins don't really have much of anything.


Even with 2 SP's (J. Bonderman and E. Ramirez) on the DL in AAA, rumors are the M's could deal RHP Blake Beavan (4-1 2.62) or LHP J. Saunders (5-2 2.08) both are in the last year of their contracts and the San Francisco Giants are without T. Lincecum (Fractured Wrist) or B. Zito (shoulder strain). Rumors are the M's are interested in Spokane native LHP RP Jeremy Affeldt who is 3-0 with a 0.76 ERA in 23 innings. Affeldt just signed a 3 year deal with the Giants which Seattle likes and with LHP L. Luetge on the DL and LHP O. Perez struggling, the M's could use another solid LHP out of the pen.