Special thanks to former Mariner Nick Green for airmailing a throw to first base in the ninth inning, thus setting up the winning score.
Acknowledgements to Ronny Cedeno, for hustling around third base to score the final run, and Franklin Gutierrez, for delivering the game-winning RBI single.
Let’s go get the Angels! Go M’s!
The Rays have a new middle-of-the-order threat in Sonnanstine.
A lineup card blunder by Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon forced the team to insert starting pitcher Andy Sonnanstine into the third slot in the batting order during Sunday’s game against Cleveland.
Maddon composed a lineup featuring two third basemen and no designated hitter. The original plan was to have regular third baseman Evan Longoria as the DH, with utility man Ben Zobrist getting the start at third.
The goof created a pregame delay, with umpires deliberating over the correct ruling on the error.
Try to name the last true power hitter that the Mariners brought up through their farm system and utilized. A slugger that could be inserted into the middle of the lineup on a daily basis and forgotten about, entrusted to drive in runs with the best of his peers.
You could make the argument that Jose Lopez is a power hitter, but in reality he’s not.
You might state a case for Raul Ibanez or Bret Boone, two players who came up through the M’s system, at least initially. But they left via free agency and trade, respectively, before returning as free agent signees later in their career.
However, if your answer is Alex Rodriguez, then you’re absolutely correct.
A-Rod was the last farm system product to work his way into the middle of the M’s lineup and remain there. He made his debut fifteen years ago in 1994, and he hasn’t been with the team since 2000. All of which makes Wladimir Balentien that much more important to this franchise.
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