0-2 pitch

Boy those mariners have ben doing well lately. We've had some real sweet pitching, even striking out that Rob Johnson a few times (coincidentially, he used to play for the marners, go figure). Now we're @ minnesota, Vargas is pitching, and I predict we'll win. Now that Guitierrez is back I think our bats are going to start becoming a fire. Let's put our prayers out there for Guitie's stomach to heal up nicely (Guitie if you're reading this I recommend oatmeal).

Brendan Ryan was 5 for 10 in the last series so I'm expecting a lot out of him this series. Here's to hoping he isn't fooled by those curveballs on the corners.  Jack wilson back in the lineup, he played on saturday night. Adam kennedy and jack wilson competing for playing time at second base, let's see who can impress the coaches. If jack can steal second base today I think it will be important for his prospects.

Go M's!

Jeppers

thats my new nick name for Jeff Parke. Way to go Jeppers. Great to get the win, only 2 shots on goal, how? Why? Kansas City looked to be playing for the draw, their defensive mindset was obvious. I don't remember Seattle having a chance when those Sporting Kansases didn't have defenders already in position in the box, waiting to knock a cross away to midfield.

The Sounders should have played better, a win from a header off of a corner kick in the 93rd minute against a team that hasn't won a match since week 1. But whatever, it doesn't matter. Oops, wrong blog. Anyways, hmmm. What was I gonna say? Oh yeah, those boys from Seattle won, so who cares.

Surprise.

The Mariners couldn't score runs, Felix pitches 8 innings of 2 run ball and they still lose... Then the offense starts scoring some runs, not a lot, but some. Every pitcher in the rotation has been lasted at least 7 innings and gave up no more than 1 run... Felix starts tomorrow. Day game. Win more.

Mariners: trying to fill that hole

It's been a long time since I felt good about those mariners, but this year I'm feeling really optimistic. I'm seeing some great plays in the infield, especially from that Brendan Ryan. Also our bats are starting to get really hot. Some areas that we ought to work on are Chone Figgins' great steals and maybe trying to make him a little more aggresive at the bag. 

Loving that .236 win percentage and, coincidentally, Chone Figgins batting average. If Pineda can get that throwing arm and the curveball working, I think we might have a good shot at the pennant. Go M"'s!

Dumber Coach

Our coach may be fat, but at least he's not a...

TIme To Establish Dominance(?)

Unbeaten in their last 6 games. 2 shutouts in a row, which are also the only shutouts that the Sounders have recorded so far this season. The team has been playing well despite losing 2 of their biggest scoring threats in Steve Zakuani and O'brian White. The wins haven't necessarily surprised me as I expected the Sounders depth to shine, but the consecutive shut outs have. Lineup shuffles that haven't been made due to injury are Patrick Ianni replacing Jeff Parke at center back and Tyson Wahl replacing foul machine Leo Gonzalez. Ianni is a solid defender and proved it while starting the majority of last season in place of injured Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, but I was/am skeptical that he is better than Jeff Parke. Tyson Wahl, or WAHHHHHHHHHH(L), as I said out loud when I realized that he was starting by coaches decision and not forced into action by an injury. I thought Wahl's playing style was too soft to stop any aggressive forward, but ummm. He starts 2 games and the Sounders record their only clean sheets of the season, so sorry Tyson Wahl.

The Sounders play DC United on the road tomorrow(May 4th). Just like Toronto FC on Saturday, DC United is a weak team. They have been outscored 8-1 in their last 2 games, and have given up 4 goals in a single game 3 times already. Seattle has won every time they have traveled to DC, 2 wins in regular season play and US Open Cup Championship victory in 2009. I am intrigued at the lineup possibilities for this game, as we will likely see many changes from Saturday in an attempt to run out as many fresh legs as possible against the Columbus Crew this coming Saturday. Yes, 3 games in 7 days. I expect a win against DC but not a shut out, I look for Charlie Davies to add to his league leading 5 goals against a Sounders team that has traveled across the entire country on a short week. As for the upcoming Columbus Crew on Saturday... Time to establish dominance.