MARINERS: Mariners fall in extras to A's, as Snell shines in season debut

The Mariners struggled in their second game of the season Tuesday evening, as they lost to the Oakland Athletics 2-1 in ten innings. Base hits were tough to come by in this low scoring matchup, as premier pitching exceeded expectations throughout the night.

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The M’s only run was tallied in the fourth, as Franklin Gutierrez shot a double down the left field line. After a called balk by Oakland's Dallas Braden, Gutierrez advanced to third base and would score on a pitch in the dirt in the same at-bat. This proved to be crucial as Jose Lopez struck-out swinging to end the inning on the very next pitch.

Right –hander Ian Snell was on target right from the start, not allowing a hit in his first 3 1/3 innings of work. Snell’s biggest mistake was hanging an off-speed pitch to Oakland’s Kurt Suzuki in the bottom of the fourth, sending a monster shot up to the bleachers in left-center, and tying the game 1 run apiece.

Snell managed to get himself in and out of a jam concluding the fourth, allowing two hits after the Suzuki homer before an inning-ending tapper back to the mound. He finished the night with 6.0 IP, allowing just 1 ER on 3 hits.

Even more noticeable was the work of opposing starter Dallas Braden. Entering his fourth full season with the A’s, Braden shined on the mound Tuesday night against Seattle, pitching 7.0 innings and allowing only 1 ER off of 4 hits, including a remarkable 10 strikeouts.

The game was steadily moving along until the bottom of the 9th inning when reliever Kanekoa Texeira entered the game for his Mariner debut. After a long first out to center field, Texeira gave up back-to-back hits to Mark Ellis and Travis Buck.

After walking no. 9 hitter Cliff Pennington, the M’s were faced with the bases loaded and one out, with the A’s needing just one run to win.

Kaneoka bounced back by striking out Rajai Davis, earning the second out of the inning. Disaster was ultimately averted as Texeira forced Oakland’s Daric Barton to fly out to left and send the game into extra innings, leaving the bases loaded on a prime opportunity.

The tenth inning was not as kind for the Mariners, sending Texeira back to the mound. After one quick out, Texeira again allowed back-to-back base hits before giving up a two out, walk-off hit in the gap of right center courtesy of Mark Ellis, handing the 2-1 win to Oakland.

The M’s fall to 1-1 on this new season, as they head into their third game of the series against Oakland tomorrow night. Wednesday’s probables include Ryan Rowland-Smith for Seattle and left-hander Brett Anderson for Oakland, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.

Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SEAHAWKS: Sims: "In Seattle ... It's drinking coffee, sittin' down and chit-chatting."

Rob Sims

Rob Sims didn't waste anytime coming up with a few parting shots for the Seahawks. He didn't mind stereotyping Seattleites either.

From the Detroit News:

This here is what being in the NFL is supposed to be about, (standing) up here at the mic talking to reporters and stuff. In Seattle, it's not like that. It's drinking coffee, sittin' down and chit-chatting. This is a change, but it's a change that I've been looking forward to.

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Sims didn't stop there:

"Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit. I mean, that's football. Football and cars. This is more of what I'm accustomed to. Out there (in Seattle) the stars are Bill Gates and Paul Allen and the people that run Boeing."

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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MARINERS: M's beat Oakland 5-3 in roller coaster season opener

The Mariner’s season-opener certainly had its ups and downs. On a sunny, yet chilly evening in San Francisco, fans were on their toes 'til the very end as Seattle prevailed in the ninth, breaking a tie to win 5-3.

With plenty of speculation about the 2010 season, the M’s have something to prove to their critics about the new roster.

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However, in the first three innings it was the newcomers, second baseman Chone Figgins and first baseman Casey Kotchman, who really started the Mariners off on the right foot, proving they came to play for their new team.

Both former Anaheim Angels, Kotchman was the batter to watch this game, providing four RBI’s off of Oakland pitcher Ben Sheets, including Figgins’ score early in the first inning. In the second inning, catcher Rob Johnson fired a solo home run to bring the score to 2-0.

The energy carried over into the third inning as Kotchman achieved his second RBI of the evening after Figgins used his speed to steal both first and second base in a matter of minutes. It seems it is this aggressive, surprising style of play that the M’s intend to maintain throughout the season.

With a comfortable 3-0 lead, veteran pitcher Felix Hernandez did a stellar job holding the A’s to an almost scoreless game. Throwing nearly 90 pitches in seven innings, Hernandez proved why he deserves another five years with the Mariners. Unfortunately, it was the bottom of the sixth that caught the M’s unaware when Oakland center fielder Rajai Davis scored off an RBI after walking on and stealing second and third.

Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis scored off of short stop Cliff Pennington’s RBI in the seventh. Finally, the A’s ended their scoring streak with another hit off Hernandez to drive in Pennington, leaving the score 3-3.

In an attempt to break the tie, Kotchman fired a hit to center field where Davis made a dramatic sliding catch for the out. However, in the slow motion replay the ball clearly bounced off the grass first and into his glove. It was an unfortunate call that would never have flown at Safeco Field.

Luckily, Kotchman was able to redeem the lousy call in the ninth inning with a well-placed pop fly to the gap in center field, both Johnson and Ichiro were able to cross home plate bringing the score to the final 5-3.

Mariner’s pitcher Brandon League relieved Hernandez in the eighth, and although he did not allow any more runs, the A’s were able to get some close-call hits off of him. His time on the mound was short lived as reliever David Aardsma closed out the final inning with no hits.

Catch the next Mariner’s game on Tuesday, April 6, against the Oakland Athletics at 7:05 p.m.

Reach Andi Williamson at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SOUNDERS FC: Photos from the match

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Brad Evans takes on the Red Bull defense.

Red Bull's Goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul represents the team's strong defensive effort.

Zakuani drives up the left side, putting pressure on the defense.



Red Bull's goal sneaks by Keller.



Montero expresses his frustration after a missed shot on goal.


Reach Jane at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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MARINERS: Opening Night against Oakland brings concerns

Opening day has finally reached us, and tonight the Mariners kick off the 2010 season in Oakland. Much has been said about the Mariners this offseason, given the extremity of the moves and changes the front office has made for the squad.

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We lost Adrian Beltre and Russell Branyan; we gained Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman. We essentially gave up Brandon Morrow, struggling to find a role on this roster, for an injury-prone, Cy Young lefty in Cliff Lee.

We gave up Carlos Silva, one of the biggest busts in Mariners history, only to receive a potential all-star albeit dramatic clean-up hitter in Milton Bradley.

We locked up Felix Hernandez for five more years, and eventual Gold-Glover Franklin Gutierrez for four.

So why are so many fans putting up the hazard flags on this M’s team already?

For starters, Cliff Lee could not have had a worse spring. He had command issues in almost every appearance preceding a fourth-inning ejection leading him to a 5-game suspension to begin the season. Yesterday, Lee was placed on the 15-day DL for a lingering muscle strain in his right abdomen. Speculators are anticipating that Lee won’t be 100% until the end of April at best.

Milton Bradley couldn’t help himself by agreeing to an interview with ESPN explaining the struggles and tribulations he had while playing with the Cubs in 2009. He essentially blamed Chicago fans and media members for his futility, stating that he was run out of town.

Thankfully, this fiasco occurred during spring training and not at Safeco during the regular season. In order to have a successful year, the Mariners need to keep Bradley’s temper under control and do all they can to keep him from running his mouth.

Starting pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith showed signs of sensation in a number of starts, whereas an inexperienced Doug Fister showed signs of futility. The Mariners need all the help they can get from their rotation while Lee is inactive and healing for the next 2-4 weeks. Sadly, the beginning of the season and getting off to a strong start is crucial for any Major League team.

The M’s send ace Felix Hernandez out on the mound tonight, opposite of Ben Sheets for the Athletics. Oakland has struggled in recent years, finishing third and fourth in the division over the last two seasons respectively, and made minute improvements over the offseason to suggest finishing otherwise this year.

First pitch is scheduled tonight for 7:05pm on FSN. Celebrate tonight with friends and family, for this could be the beginning of an amazing summer with the best team the Mariners have put on the field in years.

Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SEAHAWKS: Sims traded to Lions for 5th; UPDATE: Seattle trades 7th to Lions for special teamer

Rob Sims

Seattle traded Rob Sims to the Detroit Lions for a 5th rounder, no. 133 overall, according to Adam Schefter. UPDATE: Schefter is reported that Seattle also traded their 7th to the Lions for DE Robert Henderson.

The Seahawks were originally hoping for a fourth round pick for Sims after tendering him at that level. Pick no. 133 lands second overall in the fifth round.

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Robert
Henderson

Henderson was drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 draft by the Giants. He suffered an injury that same year and was waived. The Lions acquired him the next season after he spent some time on Jacksonville's practice squad.

He hasn't played in a regular season game.

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SOUNDERS FC: Team outmatched, fall 1-0 to New York

Ljungberg gets in the face of New York's Mike Petke
after a foul. Jane Gershovich / NSS

At about this time last year the Sounders FC were mopping up a 3-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls in Seattle’s inaugural match. Oh, how the times have changed.

Seattle looked disjointed and unorganized early on and could not recover as the Red Bulls outplayed the Rave Green in a 1-0 loss Saturday night.

The lone goal came in the 21st minute off a corner kick that landed at the feet of Red Bull forward Macoumba Kandji who turned and fired a shot that bounced hard into the ground and past goal keeper Kasey Keller.

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The goal was a culmination of precise passing and extensive ball control by the visiting side, which largely controlled the first half. Conversely, Seattle came out looking sluggish, struggling to string passes together on the attacking end.

A perfect illustration of the poor communication and passing came in the 66th minute when Steve Zakuani, after having burned his man on a counter attack, fed a pass well behind Fredy Montero, who eventually gained possession only to feed it well behind Freddie Ljungberg.

Despite the often sloppy ball control the Sounders still managed to out-shoot the Red Bulls, who settled down after the goal, 17 to 10. Seattle locked five on goal to New York’s four.

But, as was often the case last season and this preseason, the Sounders struggled getting promising shots off during the shutout despite largely controlling the second half.

Although Seattle fired seven more on goal than New York, they had numerous additional chances to attack and press the Red Bulls. However, New York often thwarted a Seattle counter attack with what head coach Sigi Schmid deemed “tactical fouls.”

New York accumulated a staggering 22 fouls to Seattle’s nine, but that was nothing new to a team that was often out-fouled last season.

Keller did his part ensuring the Red Bulls wouldn’t find the net for the remainder of the game by making a few diving saves in the 12th and 53rd minute.

James Riley made his return after a red card suspension that carried over from last season. His defense appeared sharp at times, illustrated by a diving header in the box that sent him sliding on his chest with the ball bouncing out of bounds and out of danger.


Pat Noonan entered the game in the 56th
minute to provide a much needed boost over
Roger Levesque's uncharacteristically sloppy
play. Jane Gershovich / NSS

However, he did have a few critical giveaways, including bad ball handling in the 53rd minute that led to Keller having to make one of his two diving saves.

Roger Levesque may see his starting spot slip away after inaccurate passes that killed Seattle attacks and led to counter attacks by New York, including two giveaways in the 31st minute alone.

He was subbed out early in the second half as free agent acquisition Pat Noonan entered the game, who immediately showed a marked improvement over Levesque’s play by feeding a textbook give and go to Ljungberg.

Ljungberg played forward in the absence of Nate Jacqua, who is on injured reserve. Seattle’s forward didn’t make much of an impact in the game as most of the attack came from midfielder Steve Zakuani, who showed ample speed on the outside.

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SOUNDERS FC: Lineups, Ljungberg starting

James Riley is back on defense and it looks like Freddie Ljungberg will be playing despite a back injury suffered last week against the Union.

He will be starting at forward in Nate Jaqua's absence, who is on injured reserve for the first six games with a pubic symphysis injury.

For the Lineups...

Sounders FC
Kasey Keller GK
James Riley DEF
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado DEF
Tyrone Marshall DEF
Leo Gonzalez DEF
Roger Levesque MID
Brad Evans MID
Osvaldo Alonso MID
Steve Zakuani MID
Freddie Ljungberg FWD
Fredy Montero FWD

Red Bulls
Bouna Coundoul GK
Jeremy Hall DEF
Mike Petke DEF
Tim Ream DEF
Roy Miller DEF
Dane Richards MID
Seth Stammler MID
Joel Lindpere MID
Sinisa Ubiparipovic MID
Macoumba Kandji FWD
Juan Pablo Angel FWD

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SEAHAWKS: Sims signing tender

Rob Sims

Guard Rob Sims will sign a 1-year tender worth $1.1 million today, according to ESPN's John Clayton.

Sims has been on the trading block since free agency began, and Seattle has been actively shopping him around the league. The Lions appear to have the most interest, along with the Bears and the Eagles.

The fact that Sims has signed the tender indicates a trade is looming within the next few hours or days.

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Sims was deemed expendable after failing to fit into the zone blocking scheme last season.

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SEAHAWKS: Leroy Hill pleads guilty to marijuana possession

Leroy Hill was back in Atlanta today, the site of his 2009 arrest, where he pleaded guilty to marijuana possession.

The judge ordered Hill to serve one year probation, undergo outpatient drug alcohol abuse counseling, complete 30 hours of community service and pay a $500 fine. If he completes all the requirements in 12 months, he can petition the court to have the conviction expunged from his record.

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In the early morning hours on Saturday January 24, 2009, a passing motorist called 911 after noticing Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill asleep behind the wheel and parked in suburban Atlanta.

When the search of his vehicle turned up one seat-belt violation, a faulty tail lamp and less than an ounce of marijuana, Hill was arrested and later released on his own recognizance after posting $1,500 bail. The Seahawks 2009 franchise player later apologized, admitting his actions were embarrassing.

After the ‘Hawks placed the franchise tag on Hill last year, the third round pick from Clemson declined a $8.3 million offer, holding out for a six-year, $15.5 million contract that, with bonuses and incentives, could push $38 million.

Hill has started 61 of his 67 career games for Seattle. His career totals include 6 forced fumbles, 14.5 sacks and 375 total tackles.

Reach Galen Helmgren at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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SEAHAWKS: BREAKING: Team acquires Marshall for second rounder, Sims and conditional 2011 pick

Brandon Marshall

The Seahawks have been flirting with the prospect of acquiring Denver restricted free agent Brandon Marshall since free agency began last month and it looks like Pete Carroll and company have finally landed their man, according to numerous inside sources.

Marshall is a now Seahawk. Guard Rob Sims is now a Bronco. Seattle also shelled out its 2010 second-round pick and a conditional 2011 pick. The details of the 2011 pick are unknown at this point. UPDATE: The conditional pick could be as high as a first rounder and as low as a third.

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If you're still reading, be sure to check this link for additional details on the signing.

Some have labeled Marshall as one of the top five WRs in the league. However, those skills do come with some baggage.

He's been arrested numerous times, including for suspicion of DUI and domestic violence.

He was also suspended by his own team more than once last season for "detrimental conduct," as Broncos HC Josh McDaniels put it, which really amounted to Marshall's unhappiness with his current contract.

He's also been suspended by the league for those transgressions.

Marshall was drafted 119 overall in the 2006 draft and managed 308 yards and two touchdowns his rookie season. He exploded his sophomore year, with more than 1,300 yards and seven touchdowns.

UPDATE: In case you still have not figured it out by clicking on one of the numerous links in the first three paragraphs, yes, this is an April Fool's joke.

Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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