Mariners Insider » Todd Dybas

Wilhelmsen talks about Rivera, the king of closers

Todd Dybas — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:56:17 +0000

Tom Wilhelmsen continues to make the case for himself as one of the best closers in the American League. He’s probably among six closers — Mariano Rivera (a lock because of sentiment and skill), Baltimore’s Jim Johnson, Chicago’s Addison Reed, Texas’ Joe Nathan and Toronto’s Casey Janssen — who have a shot at the All-Star game. Had a quick chat with him in Yankee Stadium about Mariano Rivera:

You are around 600 saves behind Mariano Rivera. Your thoughts?) (Laughs) “Cool.”

When you look at Mariano as a fellow closer, what do you think?) “I’ve …

Zduriencik: ‘We just want to continue to get better. Who knows what will happen?’

Todd Dybas — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:29:44 +0000

Had a chance to chat with Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik on a sun-splashed field at Yankee Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Here’s our Q&A:

We’re about at the quarter pole of the season. What are you thoughts up to this point?) “So much of what happens depends on health. You start out a year where some guys are hurt, some guys struggle early on, you have other parts of the year suddenly guys get hot, the weather starts warming up … to me, (health is) the biggest thing. With our young guys, still fairly young, …

Mariners abuzz with energy following tight win over Yankees

Todd Dybas — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:03:59 +0000

Rarely has a group been so happy to go to Cleveland.

The Mariners head down to Ohio worked up about Thursday night’s strenuous 3-2 win in New York which led them to taking the series from the first-place Yankees.

Thursday night brought down the most pressure Tom Wilhelmsen — and many Mariners relievers — have seen this season. Brett Gardner was on third base with one out after stealing twice, the Mariners leading 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth. He’s plenty fast to score on any shallow fly ball, especially with Michael Morse and Jason Bay as …

Harang scratched, plus lineups and notes

Todd Dybas — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:29:45 +0000

Aaron Harang was scratched from today’s start because of a stiff lower back. Hector Noesi will take his place.

Harang said he’s had back problems in the past and most often manages it with a chiropractor. He said he twisted his back Wednesday and it flared up on him Thursday. He told manager Eric Wedge on Wednesday that he was having some back issues.

Noesi will step in for him. Wedge said Noesi knows each time he pitches now, he’s pitching for his spot on the team. Wedge also said he didn’t think it was “fair” to move …

Unlike Tuesday, Mariners put away Yankees starter

Todd Dybas — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:32:21 +0000

Raul Ibanez swears it’s not the park.

Just about any answer from Ibanez will contain some form of the phrase “keeping it simple.” He’s 40, still works hard, and had plenty to work at after an abysmal April. Through two weeks in May — a small sample — it has worked. Ibanez hit two more homers Wednesday night in Yankee Stadium during the Mariners’ 12-2 drubbing of the Yankees. He has three home runs in two days and nine home runs in his last 11 games at Yankee Stadium.

Unlike the prior night when the Mariners could not …

Hernandez will be fine, Wedge says, plus lineups and notes

Todd Dybas — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:00:37 +0000

Felix Hernandez was his usual bouncy self today in the clubhouse. Mariners manager Eric Wedge said he fully expects Hernandez to make his next start after tweaking his back in the sixth inning of Tuesday night’s loss.

“He said he was pretty sore still this morning,” Wedge said. “He feels good. (Trainer) Rick (Griffin) felt like he got him in a good place last night after the game and it’s going good today, so we should be fine.”

Wedge said he doesn’t think there will be any alteration in preparation or routine for Hernandez. The lower back has …

Felix tweaks his back, Mariners blow the lead

Todd Dybas — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:59:47 +0000

Felix Hernandez turned and threw to second in the sixth inning Tuesday night. What seemed innocuous turned a tight game in Yankee Stadium on its head during the Mariners’ 4-3 loss.

Hernandez did not return for the seventh, and, according to manager Eric Wedge, that “pinch” Hernandez felt in his lower back was the lone reason why.

“I’m hoping that he’s fine, and I think he will be fine,” Wedge said. “When you tweak something like that on a play … what you don’t want to have happen is send him back out there (and) he starts compromising …

Umpires explanation for the “obstruction” call

Todd Dybas — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:54:22 +0000

Here is the full explanation on the “obstruction” call against Felix Hernandez in the fourth inning:

Jerry Layne (HP Umpire and Crew Chief) and Hunter Wendelstedt (3B Umpire):

Q: Can you comment on the play?

Layne: Any time you have an obstruction before first base, you have a rule.

Wendelstedt: It’s 7.06a

Layne: Any time the runner is obstructed before first base, the ball is dead. He’s awarded first base, and any runner that could be forced is awarded [his base]. That’s why [Wells] was given second base. What had happened was when they went …

Mariners vs. Yankees lineups and notes

Todd Dybas — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:42:23 +0000

I have duty for multiple beats today, so we’ll be brief here. Lineups and notes. Notice Curtis Granderson in there for the Yankees. He’ll be making his season debut. Also notice Ibanez and Andino in there for the Mariners. Manager Eric Wedge said those two are playing because of decent past numbers against CC Sabathia.

Safeco Joe does it again in Mariners’ 6-1 win

Todd Dybas — Mon, 13 May 2013 02:12:08 +0000

Joe Saunders’ home ERA: 0.94. Road ERA: 12.54. He can’t explain it.

“As much as it’s killing everybody in here, it’s killing me the most,” Saunders said. “I don’t like to go out and do that on the road. I consider myself a pretty good road pitcher and it just hasn’t happened yet. As much as it’s probably eating Carl (Willis) and (Eric Wedge), it’s eating me more. Just going to have to deal with it and go get them.”

Saunders threw 6 1/3 in Sunday’s 6-1 win. Several balls were hit hard, but he …