Posted by M's Defender at 6/16/06 1:34 p.m.

I will say for once a SP(Washburn) accepted fault for a "mistake" pitch instead trying to saddle the catcher(Johjima)with the fault.
I find it very refreshing indeed considering the ultimate decision on pitch is the PITCHERS call not the CATCHER'S.The catcher calls the game but the pitcher's the boss period.
Johjima is doing his best and is learning the different method here namely fastball first and breaking stuff(changeups,curves etc...) second the opposite of Japan.
He has adapted fantasticly to the MLB level of baseball both offensively/defensively and will finally recongize the individual "STUFF" each M's SP needs to succeed.
IN the meantime if Johjima calls a pitch that the SP DOESN'T want throw that SP has shake him off til he understands more fully that SP's situational thinking.

Posted by JJRacoon at 6/16/06 5:00 p.m.

It still makes me wonder when the Mariner pitchers make what seems to be MORE mistakes than other pitchers. How does guys like Blanton manage to avoid making mistakes against us but other teams get a lot of them??? We may have an occasional pitcher like Washburn say it was his fault but wouldnt it just be nice if the whole offense said our pitchers are struggling because we dont have a clue on how to hit the other pitcher!!!!!!

Posted by Sherdogg21 at 6/16/06 6:23 p.m.

Unless you are a rookie, you should have an idea how to pitch without the catcher holding your hand. Johjima was brought over here because he can hit, something a Mariner catcher hasn't done since Dan Wilson was having good years in the Kingdome. Kenji's defense of course is a huge plus, and I'm willing to bet what he has going on in between the ears is more than most baseball players. Privatley grumbling about him shows you the make-up of this staff.
At any point ANY of these pitchers blaming Johjima is absurd. They all sucked last year and Moyer is pitching lights out, Meche is improved and Pinero hasn't been good in a long and I don't think the catching is his problem. It wouldn't matter if he had Yogi Berra catching for him.

I hope next year after every decent free-agent is gone and the Mariners are stuck looking where to blow their next 40 million dollars in a forced market (ala Washburn), they just stick it in there pocket so they can give a decent player $80 million in 2008.

Posted by Sherdogg21 at 6/16/06 6:27 p.m.

Really though, if these pitchers are using the -Johjima lost in translation- thing as a crutch, then seriously, what a bunch of whiny bit**S.

Posted by Sowulo at 6/16/06 7:58 p.m.

Felix is back to falling badly toward 1st.....3 dingers so far.....

Posted by Idaho M at 6/17/06 8:45 a.m.

Jojima called for a split finger, Putz shook him off. Joh still put the split finger sign down, Putz shook it off again. Joh put it down a third time and Putz agreed. Bonds struck out looking and later said that when someone is throwing 99 and then drops a split on you all you can do is say "see ya, have a nice day!" Nice call Joh!

Hey, last night was probably the best M's moment I've seen this year thanks to Hargrove having the guts to let his closer pitch to Bonds instead of walking him.

Posted by Sowulo at 6/19/06 9:21 p.m.

FINALLY! Oakland loses.....

Posted by M's Defender at 6/20/06 12:26 p.m.

AMEN TO THAT Sowulo and here's the real kicker to the lowly Colorado Rockies in Coors Field the best HR park in the NLs and it was a SHUT OUT !!!!!!!! 7-0.

Posted by JJRacoon at 6/20/06 12:33 p.m.

It isnt so much that our pitchers are real bad as they are trying to make too many perfect pitches. Johjima just tells them where to throw it but they got to put it where he says. Sure helped them to have a little run support though!!!Time to gear up for next year by sending Joel, Carl, Jeremy and a couple minors leaguers to Tampa Bay to get Carl Crawford and pickup Aubrey Huff. Oh yeah, Get me Willis from the Marlines too (okay so I got a little crazy). You know I am shocked that Appier never pitched for us!!!!

Posted by Sowulo at 6/20/06 9:12 p.m.

Oakland gets shut out at Coors two nights in a row?????

Posted by M's Defender at 6/21/06 12:00 p.m.

OOOH YEAH that's no a typo Sowulo the Rockies DID shut out the A's for the second game in a row.Their SP Jennings not only shut them out but 1 hit them to boot!!!!!.
AT Coors Field no bloody less a field where the ball just flys out over the fences.Coors Field where any hitters #'s get padded just walking tothe plate by at least 30 avg points,10 HRs etc.....
Here's hoping Colorado makes THREE in row and with Texas losing to the Padres and Angels continuing to slide againist the Giants.
The M's winning and getting closer and closer to .500 mark and at present by virtue of the tie at the top bettween Oakland and Texas in second place and 3 1/2 GB.
The remaining games til the All Star break should be interesting which way it flys.

Posted by Sherdogg21 at 6/21/06 2:52 p.m.

Starting to remind me of 1994 when the entire division sucked., Only the strike prevented a team 10 games under .500 from winning a division. If Oakland doesn't get it together under .500 might take this division.