Mariners vs. Padres
February 28, 2008
San Diego Padres (0-0):
14 Jeff DaVanon CF
13 Oscar Robles 2B
5 Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B
23 Adrian Gonzalez 1B
28 Josh Bard C
33 Jody Gerut RF
16 Chase Headley LF
64 Chip Ambres DH
2 Luis Rodriguez SS
54 Tim Stauffer RHP
Other pitchers:
21 Heath Bell RHP
43 Cla Meredith RHP
51 Trevor Hoffman RHP
59 Jared Wells RHP
50 Joe Thatcher LHP
38 Glendon Rusch LHP
37 Mike Gardner RHP
Mariners (0-0):
51 Ichiro Suzuki CF
3 Jose Vidro DH
6 Brad Wilkerson RF
29 Adrian Beltre 3B
39 Bryan LaHair 1B
12 Mike Morse LF
4 Jose Lopez 2B
15 Jamie Burke C
16 Willie Bloomquist SS
56 Jarrod Washburn LHP
Other Pitchers:
43 Miguel Batista RHP
41 R.A. Dickey RHP
59 Eric O'Flaherty LHP
35 Brandon Morrow RHP
46 Sean White RHP
31 Ryan Feierabend LHP
"We just want to get our guys in shape,'' Mariners manager John McLaren said of his near-term goals these first couple of weeks.
OK, let's head off the first barrage of comments. Yes, the players are already in shape. He's talking game shape, not physical conditioning.
McLaren also said: "Wee want them to take chances on the bases.''
So, expect to see a bunch of guys thrown out right away. No, not everyone is going to be running amuck.
"I want to run,'' he said, "but we don't have an abundance of speed. What I want to do is maximize what we have.''
In other words, the guys with speed are being asked to be more aggressive. Jose Vidro and Jamie Burke are not going to be stealing bases.
I asked him about Kenji Johjima, since a few of you have asked me about any changes to what he's done in the past. The M's plan to work on various aspects of Johjima's game, like blocking the plate and some of the way he receives the ball.
As far as whether he'll set up sooner behind the plate, McLaren told me Johjima was already doing that more last season than he had been in 2006. I took this to mean he'll continue to look at progressing in that department, though he isn't necessarily umnder-the-gun to do so. To answer one email question, Johjima has absolutely no role in setting any defensive alignments. None. The most he'll do is yell out to the first or third baseman to be alert for potential bunts.
Richie Sexson is back. His 2-year-old son is apparently doing better than he was yesterday.
Jay Buhner arrives today to begin working with the outfielders. They'll work on alignments, routes to the ball, stuff like that.
Here's my thought for the day.
Joe Blanton will start the game for the A's and throw three innings -- the first of three openers he'll toss this year: Spring Training, Major League and Oakland home.
"It's more of an honor to open up the season in Japan and at home," Blanton said. "Spring Training is just Spring Training."
"It's more of an honor to open up the season in Japan and at home," Blanton said. "Spring Training is just Spring Training."
The A's lineup for the exhibition opener is expected to be: RF Travis Buck, 2B Mark Ellis, 1B Daric Barton, LF Jack Cust, DH Dan Johnson, SS Bobby Crosby, C Kurt Suzuki, 3B Jack Hannahan and CF Chris Denorfia.
Other than Blanton, other pitchers expected to make the trip and throw, either in the game or in the bullpen, are: Andrew Brown, Jeff Gray, Fernando Hernandez, Jay Marshall, Dan Meyer, Kirk Saarloos, Ryan Wing and Brad Ziegler.
Other than Blanton, other pitchers expected to make the trip and throw, either in the game or in the bullpen, are: Andrew Brown, Jeff Gray, Fernando Hernandez, Jay Marshall, Dan Meyer, Kirk Saarloos, Ryan Wing and Brad Ziegler.
you're a beast, Jake! Just checkin in, real busy. Hopped on the Tigers again today. Goin out of town for a week tomorrow night, too, so good to everyone.
If anyone is gonna be in Orlando next Thursday-Sunday, check in with me. I'm hitting up a 'Stros/Indians game, a Magic game, playing some golf, and going to sunday at the PODS Championship golf tournament.
If anyone is gonna be in Orlando next Thursday-Sunday, check in with me. I'm hitting up a 'Stros/Indians game, a Magic game, playing some golf, and going to sunday at the PODS Championship golf tournament.
here is what I do. This link has every paper in the country. I can get every teams starters and reports from the link.
http://www.hometownnews.com/
Rangers:
1. Ian Kinsler/German Duran
2. Josh Hamilton/Julio Borbon
3. Michael Young/Elvis Andrus
4. Hank Blalock/Travis Metcalf
5. Marlon Byrd/Brandon Boggs
6. Ben Broussard/Chris Davis
7. Frank Catalanotto/Joaquin Arias
8. David Murphy/John Mayberry
9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia/Aaron Melhuse
1. Ian Kinsler/German Duran
2. Josh Hamilton/Julio Borbon
3. Michael Young/Elvis Andrus
4. Hank Blalock/Travis Metcalf
5. Marlon Byrd/Brandon Boggs
6. Ben Broussard/Chris Davis
7. Frank Catalanotto/Joaquin Arias
8. David Murphy/John Mayberry
9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia/Aaron Melhuse
