MVN: Most Valuable Network

Portland 7 (SD - 3), Tacoma 1
The Rainiers scored a run off of the immortal Cha Seung Baek. But before that, RHP Andy Baldwin (4.93) gave up five on eight hits (2 HR!), a walk, and five Ks in six innings. LHP Cesar Jimenez (6.75) struck out one in the seventh, returning to triple-A action, and in the final two, RHP Jesus Delgado (7.24) let two score on two hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter, a walk, and a K.
CF Jerry Owens (3B, R, .297) had three hits leading off and 2B Yuniesky Betancourt (2B, RBI, .500), DH Chris Shelton (2B, .319), and PH-DH Prentice Redman (2B, .288) all had doubles.

Shelton is reportedly on his way up with Sweeney injured and the M's not really needing a fifth starter for a while. Also, Geoff Baker reports on Yuni's performance in the game. It lacks kind words. Divish also reports on the more interesting Adam Moore.

Mobile 2 (ARI + 2), West Tenn 3
RHP Kyle Parker (3.56, PO, W) had one of his starts, going seven innings and allowing just the six hits and a walk despite striking out only three. RHP Ricky Orta (2.08) had two hits, a walk, and a K in the next inning, but RHP Phillippe Aumont (3.24, S) let two (one earned) score on two hits, a wild pitch, and a hit batter against three Ks in the ninth.
DH Johan Limonta (2B, R, .272), 2B David Espinosa (3B, RBI, .226), C Guillermo Quiroz (3B, R, .275), and SS Jimmy Mojica (2B, R, .244) all had extra-base hits. I rather like the symmetry of the five through nine hitters going double triple single triple double. LF Ezequiel Carrera (CS, .322) had a hit and a walk leading off.

High Desert 2, San Jose 6 (SF + 8)
RHP Nathan Adcock (4.39, L) could also stand a little consistency. He gave up six runs (four earned) through five innings on six hits, a hit batter, four walks, and four Ks. RHP Natividad Dilone (5.87) allowed one hit, a wild pitch, a balk, and four Ks over the last three innings. It's either him or Zapata that's been pitching well of late.
LF James McOwen (.355), headliner, had two hits and a walk. CF Tyson Gillies (A, .325), RF Carlos Peguero (E, .282), 3B Alex Liddi (2B, R, RBI, .356), and 1B Ian Bladergroen (.276) all had two hits, with Peguero adding two walks, and Gillies adding one. I wonder how many more articles can be written about McOwen.

An odd segue, but Churchill is reporting that Pineda should miss the rest of the season, and on top of that, Cleto is out in Clinton after a back strain. He'll be replaced by Andres Esquibel, who is the Kevin Reynolds of pitchers.

Dayton 6 (CIN - 3), Clinton 1
RHP Alfredo Venegas (4.59, 2 E, L) got through five innings giving up four runs (three earned) on nine hits, a walk, and two Ks. RHP Ryan Moorer (3.44) let another run score in the next two on three hits and a wild pitch and LHP Greg Moviel (2.86) managed the same in his two frames of work, though it was only two hits and he struck out three.
The offense was better, but not much better, as C Blake Ochoa (.264) and LF Jake Shaffer (.264) both had two hits and 3B Nate Tenbrink (.277) had a single and a walk.

Yakima 2 (ARI - 5), Everett 4
More wins! Sweep, even. RHP Chris Kirkland (2.86, W) didn't have any runs score against him despite five hits, a wild pitch, a hit batter, three walks, and six Ks in six innings. RHP Christian Stahely (6.48) hit one and struck out one in the seventh, and then LHP Brandon Pullen (1.08) substituted the hit batter for a walk in the eighth. RHP Daniel Cooper (3.38) had a rare bit of trouble in the ninth as he let two runs score on four hits, a wild pitch, and a walk against one K.
SS Anthony Phillips (HR, .227) hit a home run (again?) and DH Ryan Royster (2B, R, .354) and CF Jose Rivero (2B, 2 RBI, .235) both had doubles.

Pulaski 3, Princeton 0 (TB 0)
The M's finally got another win, and RHP Nolan Diaz (3.91, W) earned it, going seven innings and giving up six hits while striking out five and recording two groundballs for every fly. RHP Brandon Josselyn (3.18, S) walked one and struck out a pair in the last two innings.
C Emmanuel Familia (PO, .111) and LF Jarrett Burgess (R, SB, .283) both had two hits in the game, with Familia drawing a walk. It was the first time he had even gotten on base this season. DH Tim Morris (.300) and 1B Jharmidy de Jesus (3B, .235) both had hit and a walk.

DSL Athletics 15, Yamasa Mariners 3
Sometimes this happens. RHP Gregorio Aquino (6.46, L) had five runs (four earned) score against him on six hits, a hit batter, and a walk in an inning and a third, and then LHP Henry Perez (4.45) let three more plate on seven hits, a walk, and four Ks in the three and two-thirds innings that followed. Henry has not been up to par this season. LHP Oscar Bravo (11.88) pitched the next three and two-thirds and had six runs score against him on six hits (HR), two wild pitches, a hit batter, and three Ks, RHP Rey Lebron (6.75) let one final run score on a hit, a hit batter, and a walk in the last third.
3B Luis Matias (2B, R, SB, E, .152) had a couple of hits leading off, 1B Hector Mercedes (.268) had a single and a walk, and SS Bertin Sanon (.190) walked twice.

Friday's Starters:
Tacoma: LHP Chris Seddon, in Tacoma, @ 7:05 pm PDT
West Tenn: RHP Luis Munoz, in Jackson, @ 5:05 pm PDT
High Desert: RHP Jake Wild, at San Jose, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Clinton: RHP Andres Esquibel, in Clinton, @ 5:05 pm PDT
Everett: RHP Taylor Stanton, at Tri-Cities, @ 7:05 pm PDT
Pulaski: RHP Brandon Maurer, at Princeton, @ 4:00 pm PDT
Peoria: TBA, in Peoria, @ 7:00 pm PDT
Aguirre: TBA, at Tigers
Yamasa: TBA, in Yamasa

Tacoma Rainiers: 40-45, .471, 9 GB in PCL North
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx: 12-5 (39-48), .706 (.448), 1st in SL North
High Desert Mavericks: 8-6 (51-33), .571 (.607), 1 GB in CAL South
Clinton Lumberkings: 5-8 (45-38), .385 (.542), 5 GB in MWL Western
Everett Aquasox: 13-6, .684, 1 GB in NOR West
Pulaski Mariners: 4-12, .250, 6 GB in APL East
Peoria Mariners: 9-5, .643, 1st in AZL West
Aguirre Mariners: 22-20, .524, 9 GB in VSL
Yamasa Mariners: 23-11, .676, 1st in Santo Domingo Norte
Organizational Record: 245-221, .524

Tacoma 7, Salt Lake 6 (ANA + 2) LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (5.31, PO, W) had himself a pretty good outing, giving up two runs on seven hits, a hit batter, and seven Ks in seven and a third innings. RHP Eric Hull (5.15) gave up a solo home run and one other hit while striking out two in an inning of work. Two unearned runners would score against him after RHP Randy Messenger (2.87, S) came in, as Messenger let an unearned run of his own score on a hit, a walk, and a K. Closer than it needed to be. CF Jerry Owens (3B, R, RBI, .288) had three hits leading off, LF (yeah, LF) Mike Carp (3 R, .288) drew two walks, and DH Jeff Clement (2B, HR, 4 RBI, .283), 1B Brad Nelson (RBI, .264), and RF Bryan LaHair (HR, 2 R, .289) all had two... Read more

Greg Halman and James McOwen are hitters of the week (called it), and, as Lailoken notes, the two Indian (the country, not the team) pitchers have debuted for the Pirates. Tacoma 4, Salt Lake 5 (ANA + 3) Also, a slight disappointment. RHP Doug Fister (4.52, E, L) is still working on earning his exclamation point back, giving up five runs through five innings on eleven hits, a walk and five Ks. RHP Denny Stark (3.74) allowed a hit and struck out one, and then LHP Justin Thomas (5.61) gave up two hits through the final two and two-thirds innings. 3B Chris Shelton (R, RBI, .320) had three singles. Yep. A bit more productive were the two hits apiece by C Adam Moored (2B, R, .307), LF Bryan LaHair (2B, R, RBI, .285), and 2B Callix Crabbe (RBI, .195), but LaHair also walked twice, so. DH Jeff Clement (.281)... Read more

I am pimping my stuff on time this week. Also, RHP Anthony Varvaro is an injury replacement all-star. Tacoma 2, Salt Lake 6 (ANA + 2) Nuts. RHP Steven Shell (8.20, E, L), replacing Gaby Hernandez (there's a comment here, but I won't), pitched five innings and gave up the same number of runs on eight hits (HR) and two walks against three Ks. RHP Joey Newby (1.42) let another urn score on three hits, two walks, and two Ks in the last three innings. 3B Chris Shelton (R, .315) and C Adam Moore (2B, HR, 2 RBI, .302) both had three hits and CF Jerry Owens (.286) and RF Bryan LaHair (.281) both had a pair of singles. There were some walks from others in the lineup, but no other hits. West Tenn 11, Huntsville 8 (MIL 0) Okay. Maybe these D-Jaxx are capable of something. They will... Read more

America! And the stateside affiliates nearly swept! Tacoma 7, Salt Lake 5 (ANA + 1) (twelve innings) LHP Chris Seddon (4.60) pitched five decent innings, giving up two on seven hits, a balk, two walks, and six Ks. RPH Jesus Delgado (7.15, BS) blew it by letting three more (two earned) score on five hits and two Ks in two and two-thirds inning. RHP Denny Stark (3.80) forced one of those in on a hit and two walks, pitching a third of an inning before both he and Brown were ejected. I'm guessing it was the walks. RHP Randy Messenger (2.92) didn't have any of those, allowing a hit and striking out a pair, and neither did RHP Eric Hull (5.07, W), who allowed two hit and struck out three. 2B Callix Crabbe (HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, .191), who has been decent of late, hit his first home... Read more

Portland 8 (SD - 6), Tacoma 4 RHP Andy Baldwin (4.78, L) got eight innings in, with five runs (three earned) scoring on six hits and a walk against six Ks. RHP Brodie Downs (6.75) pitched the last frame and gave up three runs on three hits and a walk against a K. 1B Brad Nelson (2B, HR, 2 RBI, .270) had two hits and a walk in the game, another of which left the park. Perhaps he's getting back into the swing of things, so to speak. Well, it will be back to the old outfield shenanigans as soon as Carp gets back. RF Bryan LaHair (HR, .283), well-acquainted at this point with aforementioned shenanigans, hit his fifteenth home run. Mississippi 3 (ATL - 1), West Tenn 4 RHP Kyle Parker (3.83) got through seven innings, giving up three runs on nine hits, two wild pitches, a pair... Read more

The Mariners have signed one of the top players on the international market, Dominican OF Guillermo Pimentel, who has plus power and is a left-handed hitter. You heard it hear in whatever order you heard it here. Portland 3 (SD - 7), Tacoma 5 LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (5.91, W) pitched five and a third innings, giving up a run on eight hits, a walk, and three Ks. I have heard that his velocity is improving, but performances such as this one do not inspire a great deal of confidence in me. RHP Eric Hull (5.29) gave up two more on a hit, a wild pitch, and two walks against one K in the next inning, scoring RR-S' run, and RHP Denny Stark (3.86) scored both of Hull's runs on a hit and a walk in an inning of work. LHP Justin Thomas (6.10) had a hit, a wild pitch,... Read more

Well, that's that. We should be back to a somewhat normal update schedule for a while, but if there are games that don't finish before 1-2 am EDT, don't expect anything until the following morning. I don't know about tonight either, as I plan to go to a bar to watch the Mariners-Yankees game. Other news! The M's have nearly signed 3rd-round pick Kyle Seager and it's INTERNATIONAL SIGNING DAY. Portland 1 (SD - 6), Tacoma 4 RHP Doug Fister (4.20) possibly earned back his exclamation point, going seven innings and allowing one run to score on six hits, a wild pitch, balk, and five Ks. Following him, RHP Shawn Kelley (0.00), whose return would deserve many exclamation points, turned in a perfect inning of one groundout and two flies. RHP Randy Messenger (3.21, S) allowed two hits and struck out one in the ninth. CF Jerry Owens (R,... Read more

Hey, look, there was a wrap two days ago. I'm still awful at self-promotion. Tacoma 6, Reno 12 (ARI + 3) Kind of a miserable series. RHP Jesus Delgado (7.18, L) spotted and gave up seven runs on four hits (HR) and six walks through two and two-thirds innings and RHP Brodie Downs (6.21) scored three of those along with five (three earned) of his own on four hits (2 HR!), a wild pitch, a hit batter, and four walks through three innings. RHP Joey Newby (0.00) gave up a hit and a walk in the next inning and a third and then emergency reliever RHP Andres Esquibel (0.00) struck out one in the ninth. Blackley did not win, but he did relieve. For the offense, LF Bryan LaHair (2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI, .283) had three hits, including his thirteenth home run. Next, I'll go with the... Read more

Recaps for the week will be late, incoherent, or non-existent. It can't be helped unless there are an additional four hours in the day. Hubbard and Carrera were named to the Southern League Northern Division All-Star Team! Hooray! Tacoma 7, Reno 8 (ARI + 2) (eleven innings) A long-ish game to lose. LHP Chris Seddon (4.67) let three score on seven hits, three walks, and five Ks through six and two-thirds innings. RHP Brodie Downs (5.97) scored one of those on a hit and a walk while wrapping up the seventh. RHP Randy Messenger (3.31, BS) then gave up four runs on six hits, a walk, and a K in an inning and two-thirds, because putting the ball in play is not a sound operating method, and LHP Justin Thomas (6.16, L) let the final run score on two hits, two hit batsmen, three walks, and two Ks in... Read more

Um. Scroll down to the Mavericks game. No questions. Just do it. Tacoma 3, Reno 4 (TOR + 1) No RR-S, RHP Eric Hull (5.01) instead got the start, giving up three runs on six hits (2 HR!), a walk, and four Ks through four innings, then RHP Joey Newby (0.00), who is all over the place these days, walked two and struck out two in the next two. RHP Denny Stark (4.05, L) gave up the deciding run in the last two innings on two hits, two walks, and a K. Good news? LF Michael Saunders (2B, HR, .294) had another couple of extra-base hits, and three total, and is now at ten each of doubles and home runs. 1B Brad Nelson (HR, 2 RBI, .258) also had three hits, and CF Prentice Redman (2B, .289) doubled. Mississippi 6 (ATL + 2), West Tenn 3 RHP Kyle Parker... Read more