Series Thread: Four games in KC before ASB, 7/7-10

[SeattleCoug]

Other teams would have demoted Cishek and let someone else take over the closer role or let Cishek work his way back to it. The Mariners? Whatever. He's a warm body and that's good enough.

They don't really have another option unfortunately. If you move Diaz there you are basically robbing Peter to pay Paul. Using Diaz multiple innings the other night shows the way they feel about Benoit. The pitching staff just has too many holes.

 

[JMR]

Way to blow a great game for Paxton, Cishek...

Good grief... Feel bad for Pax...

Cishek didn't close the deal for sure, but give the assist to Paxton in the 8th for conceding the double play on the ball that was hit right back to him and just taking the easy 1 at first. I just don't think you can risk putting 2 runners in scoring position that late in a fairly close game. If you cannot make a throw from the vicinity of the pitcher's mound to 2nd base with a high degree of accuracy, it makes me start to question if you should be out there.

 

[EVille3]

Cishek didn't close the deal for sure, but give the assist to Paxton in the 8th for conceding the double play on the ball that was hit right back to him and just taking the easy 1 at first. I just don't think you can risk putting 2 runners in scoring position that late in a fairly close game. If you cannot make a throw from the vicinity of the pitcher's mound to 2nd base with a high degree of accuracy, it makes me start to question if you should be out there.

Paxton has about 3 throwing errors I can remember from this season. Given his track record, making sure you get 1 out was important rather than loading the bases

 

[Msfann]

What was the point in bringing the bartender back if they are going to bury him in AAA?

 

[NWinAZ]

What was the point in bringing the bartender back if they are going to bury him in AAA?

He is up with the team, but they just haven't used him much.

 

[NWinAZ]

Paxton has about 3 throwing errors I can remember from this season. Given his track record, making sure you get 1 out was important rather than loading the bases

That more than anything just illustrates that he is a mental midget. My bigger issue with the game was in the 9th allowing the leadoff double. We are a team that plays more shifts than almost anyone, but when it comes to old logic baseball we refuse to use those methods like taking away the lines late in games. I see so many teams use that because a single doesn't hurt you, but a double changes everything...and it did.

 

[Anointed One]

Hitting the next batter after the lead off double didn't help matters either... Pax gave up only 2 runs in 8 innings, not going to fault him for that... Cishek's job is to come in and shut the door... He's 2-5 on the season as a closer... The M's are the 3rd worst team in baseball for blown saves... Hopefully Diaz can be that closer we groom ourselves for the future... Tired of these retreads...

 

[Msfann]

He is up with the team, but they just haven't used him much.

Ahh OK, I thought he was sent down.

 

[NWinAZ]

Ahh OK, I thought he was sent down.

He was then brought back up a few days ago. Your point is still valid since they haven't pitched him as much as some losers in the pen have.

 

[NWinAZ]

Heyman

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners look like a balanced, very solid team. But some with Mariners connections say they could see an effort to upgrade at closer. Steve Cishek has done a solid job, kid Edwin Diaz (29 strikeouts in 15.1 innings) has been superb and they hope Nate Karns will improve the late-inning mix, but Joaquin Benoit has struggled, and this looks like one way to enhance their chances. GM Jerry Dipoto downplayed the need, saying, “One more could never hurt … but right now we’re in decent shape.” … Two interesting names that could help them are Joe Smith and Huston Street, two pitchers Dipoto extended for the Angels. Word is, Dipoto especially loves Smith. But here’s a question: Would the Angels be big enough to help Dipoto after he resigned as their GM, then later joined a rival? They should if they get the right deal, but personalities sometimes intercede … One other question: Do the Mariners have the money? Dipoto already convinced ownership to go $15 million beyond last year’s payroll and also $15 million beyond the budget. If the M’s are in the race, the guess here is they might find a little extra spending money … The pick of Mercer outfielder Kyle Lewis at No. 11 has been widely praised. But how happy were the Mariners? Well, they had him No. 2 on their board, believed only behind University of Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel, who went No. 2 to the Reds … Dae-Ho Lee has been a very pleasant surprise. Good job by honcho Tommy Allison and scout Tim Kissner. Lee’s jovial personality also has been a clubhouse plus.

 

[unlvmariners]

Mariners baseball true to the fuck you.

 

[NWinAZ]

Mariners baseball true to the fuck you.

That might be one of my all-time favorites.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Mariners baseball true to the fuck you.

I'm dying. Thanks for making my day better

 

[PolarVortex]

Easy to get mad at Cishek for the loss last night. But, Paxton has to turn the double play in the 8th inning. That was the turning point in the game, right there. If he turns that double play, he gets a complete game shutout or maybe a complete one-run game. The DP was right there just waiting for him. He had plenty of time to wait for Marte to get to the bag. The runner was only half way to 2nd base at that point. But Paxton had no confidence in his ability to defend his position whatsoever. Instead of throwing to second, he makes a girly underhand toss to first, leaving two runners in scoring position with just one out. Then he throws a 94 mph fastball right over the heart of the plate on the very next pitch. This loss is on Paxton as much as it is on Cishek.

 

[WizardHawk]

Easy to get mad at Cishek for the loss last night. But, Paxton has to turn the double play in the 8th inning. That was the turning point in the game, right there. If he turns that double play, he gets a complete game shutout or maybe a complete one-run game. The DP was right there just waiting for him. He had plenty of time to wait for Marte to get to the bag. The runner was only half way to 2nd base at that point. But Paxton had no confidence in his ability to defend his position whatsoever. Instead of throwing to second, he makes a girly underhand toss to first, leaving two runners in scoring position with just one out. Then he throws a 94 mph fastball right over the heart of the plate on the very next pitch. This loss is on Paxton as much as it is on Cishek.

Disagree.

A closers job is to close out games. Period. Cishek should be able to come in with a one run game and shut the door. That's what they are paid to do. He gives up a double and then plunks a guy in his back foot and that guy ends up being the winning run. That's entirely inexcusable. Blown saves happen, but this one was served up on a platter with special sauce all over it.

 

[PolarVortex]

Disagree.

A closers job is to close out games. Period. Cishek should be able to come in with a one run game and shut the door. That's what they are paid to do. He gives up a double and then plunks a guy in his back foot and that guy ends up being the winning run. That's entirely inexcusable. Blown saves happen, but this one was served up on a platter with special sauce all over it.

If Paxton executes simple fundamental baseball skills in the 8th inning, Cishek never would have been in the game. The loss is equally on Paxton.

 

[WizardHawk]

He gave up two runs over 7+ innings. That's the most you ask of any starter. That the two came on boneheaded plays doesn't change that.

Closers close games. Ours did not. And it wasn't just giving up hits to good hitters. He plunked a guy in his back foot to put the winning run on base and then gave up the hit that killed us. You can't have that from a closer.

 

[AceKeptic]

Heyman

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners look like a balanced, very solid team. But some with Mariners connections say they could see an effort to upgrade at closer. Steve Cishek has done a solid job, kid Edwin Diaz (29 strikeouts in 15.1 innings) has been superb and they hope Nate Karns will improve the late-inning mix, but Joaquin Benoit has struggled, and this looks like one way to enhance their chances. GM Jerry Dipoto downplayed the need, saying, “One more could never hurt … but right now we’re in decent shape.” … Two interesting names that could help them are Joe Smith and Huston Street, two pitchers Dipoto extended for the Angels. Word is, Dipoto especially loves Smith. But here’s a question: Would the Angels be big enough to help Dipoto after he resigned as their GM, then later joined a rival? They should if they get the right deal, but personalities sometimes intercede … One other question: Do the Mariners have the money? Dipoto already convinced ownership to go $15 million beyond last year’s payroll and also $15 million beyond the budget. If the M’s are in the race, the guess here is they might find a little extra spending money … The pick of Mercer outfielder Kyle Lewis at No. 11 has been widely praised. But how happy were the Mariners? Well, they had him No. 2 on their board, believed only behind University of Tennessee third baseman Nick Senzel, who went No. 2 to the Reds … Dae-Ho Lee has been a very pleasant surprise. Good job by honcho Tommy Allison and scout Tim Kissner. Lee’s jovial personality also has been a clubhouse plus.

Define "solid." Does that constitute blowing the occasional lead like certain bullpen pitchers we had in the past?

 

[NWinAZ]

Define "solid." Does that constitute blowing the occasional lead like certain bullpen pitchers we had in the past?

I think this was based on Mariners standards so ya, solid.

 

[Anointed One]

Easy to get mad at Cishek for the loss last night. But, Paxton has to turn the double play in the 8th inning. That was the turning point in the game, right there. If he turns that double play, he gets a complete game shutout or maybe a complete one-run game. The DP was right there just waiting for him. He had plenty of time to wait for Marte to get to the bag. The runner was only half way to 2nd base at that point. But Paxton had no confidence in his ability to defend his position whatsoever. Instead of throwing to second, he makes a girly underhand toss to first, leaving two runners in scoring position with just one out. Then he throws a 94 mph fastball right over the heart of the plate on the very next pitch. This loss is on Paxton as much as it is on Cishek.

I don't get that personally. Paxton pitched eight Innings give up only two runs Cishek pitched .1 Innings and gave up two runs. How can you blame Paxton. He's not the one that gave up the lead