Mariners Insider » Don Ruiz

Mariners losing streak grows to seven games

Don Ruiz — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:53:46 +0000

Texas wins, 9-5. The Mariners’ losing streak grows to a season-high seven games. Over the last three games, Seattle has been outscored 28-6.

Here’s some of the clubhouse reaction:

Manager ERIC WEDGE
On Joe Saunders: He struggled tonight. He still battled: got us through five innings. But he still threw a lot of pitches. He made some mistakes and they got to him. The two home run balls were big. But I was pleased with us offensively. A lot of at bats, a lot of hits, played all the way through. But it was tough to be down …

451-foot Peguero homer highlights 6-0 win

Don Ruiz — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:47:47 +0000

Tom Wilhelmsen closes it out with a 1-2-3 ninth. Mariners win, 6-0.

Some clubhouse reaction:

From ERIC WEDGE:
“Maurer really set the tone. He threw a great ball game. He did a great job of using all his pitches, of executing pitches. He was down when he wanted to be down and elevated when he wanted to elevate. He was on and off the plate when he wanted to be, too. He did a great job. … I think he’s really settled in. I think he learned a great

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Seattle beats Tigers, Verlander, 2-0

Don Ruiz — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:57:41 +0000

Seattle wins it, 2-0. First Major League win for Carter Capps, and save to Tom Wilhelmsen. Loss to Justin Verlander (2-2). Second shutout of the Tigers this season.

“It was great to come back today, especially after a long night last night,” manager Eric Wedge said. “(Iwakuma) had fantastic stuff. His finger, obviously that’s why we had to get him out of there. Carter Capps stepped up and (Wilhelmsen) finished it off. We played some great defense. Of course Seeger with the big knock was big for us. A lot of people contributed.

“It was a short night, and …

Mariners end 2012 season with 75th win

Don Ruiz — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 21:41:38 +0000

The 2012 season is over, 75 wins and 87 losses after it started.

That 75th win came today: a 12-0 mauling of the Los Angeles Angels before a crowd of 15,614 at Safeco Field. (Unofficially, 1,723,286 watched the Mariners at home this season.)

Blake Beaven went eight innings for his 11th win of the season. Casper Wells was the offensive hero with five RBI, including a three-run home run to left.

Manager Eric Wedge on the game: That’s a good strong way to finish the season. I think Blake threw the ball very well today. I thought he did a

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Wedge calls 2012 a success, looks to 2013 with eye to adding veteran bat for middle of lineup

Don Ruiz — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 21:24:06 +0000

Manager Eric Wedge has just concluded his final pregame media meeting of the season.

Some highlights:

* Considers 2012 a success “without a doubt.” Adding, “Ultimately it’s about the wins and losses, but I have a great deal of respect for what we’re building here. … Obviously we’re a better club this year, moving in the right direction.”

* Says team “is hoping to” contend in 2013, but says progress will be measured in a deeper way than simply aiming at a goal such as .500 record or better: “It may be a little bit quick, when it comes to …

Mariners announce minor league awards; former Rainier Carter Capps wins pitching honor

Don Ruiz — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:00:59 +0000

Here’s the release from the club

Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the Mariners Minor League Awards.

Infielder Stefen Romero (High Desert/Jackson) was named Player of the Year, while right-hander Carter Capps (Jackson/Tacoma/Seattle) was named the Pitcher of the Year. Infielder Brad Miller (High Desert/Jackson) received the Heart and Soul Award for his exemplary play and leadership and right-handed pitcher Brandon Maurer (Jackson) was named the Most Improved Player in the Mariners organization.

Romero, 23, hit .352 (167×474) with 85 runs scored, 64 extra-base (2B – 34, 3B – 7, HR

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Mariners lose game, and maybe Carp

Don Ruiz — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 02:02:05 +0000

Mariners open nine-game homestand with a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The teams meet again at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday.

After the game, manager Eric Wedge said that Mike Carp is likely bound for the disabled list. Wedge wasn’t immediately able to name the injury, but its affect would likely limit Carp’s ability to stretch, leading the the likelihood that he’ll be shut down for a while to recover. Carp had come out of the Sunday game at Anaheim with what had been called stiffness in his left hip.

Here’s more postgame reaction:

WEDGE
On the loss: It’s …

Mariners manager remembers Johnny Pesky

Don Ruiz — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 02:01:17 +0000

Mariners manager Eric Wedge began his playing career in the Boston Red Sox organization, where he developed a friendship with legendary shortstop Johnny Pesky, who died Monday at age 92.

“It’s a sad day for baseball, a sad day for the Pesky family and all of his friends and fans out there,” Wedge said. “I knew Johnny right up from the time I signed in 1989 and stayed in touch with him over the years. I learned a great deal from him, as have so many. It’s a sad day; but what a wonderful life he had: 92 years. …

Top pick Zunino promoted to AA Jackson

Don Ruiz — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 23:34:06 +0000

The Mariners have confirmed that catcher Mike Zunino has been promoted from Everett of rookie Northwest League directly to Class-AA Jackson.

At Everett, Zunino hit .373 of 29 games (41-for-110) with 10 home runs, 35 runs batted in nine doubles, a .474 on-base percentage, .736 slugging percentage and 1.210 OPS. Last week, he batted .500 (14-for-28) with three home runs, three doubles and 17 RBI and was named Northwest League player of the week for the third time since making his professional debut July 14.

Zunino had been the third overall pick in the recent amateur draft.

Tigers and Verlander beat Mariners, 6-4

Don Ruiz — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:41:36 +0000

Final: Detroit 6, Mariners 4.

Some of what manager Eric Wedge had to say afterward:

“It was a heck of a ball game. Our guys didn’t lay down. They battled their tails off. When you’re down early like that against one of the better pitchers in the league, our guys didn’t give in at all. I’m really pleased with the way they battled through at bats, and made their guy work, and got themselves back in the ball game.”

On Millwood, who went five innings, giving up five runs on eight hits and getting the loss: “Millwood struggled early and …