Joe “The Connector” Kennedy, blogging from the Mariners game tonight – post will be updated as it happens, so if you are following live, you might need to refresh.

Mariner’s ace pitcher Felix Hernandez got the start tonight, looking to improve on his 1-1 record after three starts in this young season.  To the delight of those sitting in King’s Court, King Felix struck out Cleveland lead offer batter Michael Brantley, got the 2nd batter, second baseman Jason Kipnis to fly to left and then Cleveland’s third batter Shin-Soo Choo, chopped weakly to Justin Smoak at first.

In the Mariner first, Chone Figgins struck out, Dustin Ackley worked a full count , but then took a called third strike and Ichiro hit a long fly ball out to center field on the first pitch from Cleveland hurler Josh Tomlin.

In the top half of the 2nd, Felix gets Tribe clean up hitter Carlos Santana to ground weakly to the right side.  Left handed hitting DH Travis Hafner steps up and works Felix for a one out walk.  Up comes another lefty, Casey Kotchman, who quickly gets two strikes, but hangs tough fouling off four more pitches before striking out swinging on an off speed breaking pitch.  Shelley Duncan, the Cleveland left fielder steps up and hits a one hopper to Smoak at first for the third out.

For the Mariners in the bottom half of the 2nd, first baseman Justin Smoak steps up and hits a one hopper to 2nd on the first pitch he sees.  Third baseman Kyle Seager rips the first pitch he sees for a hard hit double down the first baseline.  Next up is Michael Saunders, the Mariners’ center fielder.  Saunders smokes a liner out to right that drops in just before Choo could get it.  Now men on first and third with one out and Miguel Olivo at the plate.  Olivo hits a chopper to shortstop for a rally-killing double-play.

Leading off the Cleveland half of the third inning is Indian third baseman Jack Hannahan – batting left, which is a little unusual for a third baseman.  Hernandez got Hannahan swinging for the first out, bringing up the 9th Cleveland batter, shortstop Jason Donald.  Felix gets him swinging on the fourth pitch.  Leadoff hitter Brantley steps up to try his luck again, but again he is sent down swinging …

The Mariners send up tonight’s DH, John Jaso to start their half of the third inning.  Jaso chops out to second base.  Up steps the Mariners 9th hitter, Brandon Ryan, who is barely hitting his weight early this season.  Hopefully he can heat up tonight, but not in his first at bat, as he is caught looking at a called strike three.  Figgins steps up and fakes a bunt on the first pitch, bringing in the third baseman, but it doesn’t help as on the very next pitch he hits a lazy fly ball to left field to end the inning.

Felix strikes out Kipnis to start the fourth inning, the Choo grounds weekly to Smoak at first base – again.  That brings up Cleveland catcher and clean-up hitter who hits a 2-1 pitch to the wall in right center for a two out double.  Indian DH Hafner then grounds to first to end the inning.  Felix has six strikeouts through the first four frames.

Dustin Ackley starts off the fourth inning for the Mariners by stretching a hard hit single into right center into a double, sliding in hard to beat the throw into second.  Next up is Ichiro Suzuki who quickly falls into a 0-2 hole and eventually strikes out on a curve ball in the dirt, drawing a throw to first and enabling Ackley to reach third with only one out.  Smoak steps up and smokes the first pitch toward right field, but it is unfortunately right into the mitt of Triber first baseman Casey Kothchman.  Seager up with runner on third and two outs.  He’s hitting .295 coming into the game and nearly gets an rbi on a ground ball up the middle that turns into out number three.

Kotchman starts the fifth inning for the Indians by grounding out to second.  Hernandez then strikes out Duncan on a 2-2 pitch and get Hannahan to bounce to Ackley at second base.  Quick inning and Felix is looking good, but the Mariners need to get him some runs.

Justin Smoak leads off the Seattle fifth inning with a drive to the right center field wall on two hops and gets into second base with a double.  Olivo sacrifices him to third on his 2nd try.  John Jaso steps up with Saunders on third and just one out.  The Indians are playing with the infield in in an attempt to cut off the run at home.  Jaso quickly falls behind 0-2 and then hits a slow roller up the middle, causing Cleveland second bagger Kipnis to hesitate and then throw over the catcher’s head trying to get Saunders at home.  Saunders is safe at home and Jason move up to 2nd on the error.  Ryan then grounds out to the right side of the field, moving Jaso to third with two outs and Chone Figgins coming up.  Tomlin gets Figgins to an 0-2 , before Chone grounds out to second to end the inning.  Mariners up 1-0.

King Felix strikes out Jason Donald to start the 6th, Brantley lines to short for the 2nd out and then Kipnis hits a long warning track out to Figgins in left field.  Another quick inning.  If he keeps it up, Felix might just get to finish this one.

Ackley leads off again for the M’s, but this time is caught looking at strike three.  Ichiro steps up looking to redeem himself after a terrible last at bat.  Unfortunately this time around isn’t any better and Ichiro pops out to the third baseman in foul territory.  Smoak steps up with two outs and strikes out swinging on four pitches – and after a questionable strike call by the home plate umpire Dan Iassogna.  On to the seventh inning.

Choo steps up and hits a long fly ball out to Figgins on the first pitch he sees from Felix.  Indian clean-up batter Santana works Hernandez to a 3-1 count before hitting a one hopper back to the pitcher.  That brings up Travis Hafner with two outs.    Hafner drills a line drive to left center that gets past Figgins to the wall for a stand up double.  Kotchman comes up with a man at second and two outs, and King Felix sends him back to the Tribe bench after looking at strike three.

Kyle Seager leads off the seventh inning for the Mariners.  He hits the first pitch he sees to the warning track in right center, nearly 385 feet for an out.  Saunders steps up and hits his first pitch on the ground to Kotchman at first.    Olivo steps up and takes a couple of huge, hefty whiffs before dumping one into left center for a hard sliding double.  Jaso is up with two outs and man on second, but grounds weakly to second base on the first pitch.  Quick half for the M’s, but at this point that is a good thing.  Keep Felix warm and ready to finish it off.

Left fielder Duncan leads off the 8th for the Tribe with a .273 average.  Felix is working him hard low and outside and they get to a full count before Duncan fouls off another four pitches – and then Hernandez finally gets him swinging.  Hannahan steps up with one out and hits a soft liner over the head of M’s shortstop Ryan for a one out single.  Tribe shortstop Jason Donald steps up with one out and one on and grounds one back up the middle that Felix has trouble with and boots.  The official scorer gives Donald a base hit and Brantley comes up for the Tribe with one out and men on first and second.  He’s only hitting .190 on the season, but works the count to 3-2 before hitting a grounder just of the glove of diving second baseman Dustin Ackley.  Hernandez is left in the game with the bases loaded and only one out.  Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis steps up and strikes out swinging on four pitches and is Felix’s eleventh strikeout victim of the night.  Tribe right fielder Choo steps up with two outs and the bases still drunk.   Hernandez appears to turn it up a notch and strikes out Choo on a half swing to get out of a tough jam and preserve the 1-0 lead.  He is relieved after 8 strong innings – 5 hits, 1 walk, 12 strikeouts and no runs.

Brendan Ryan leads off the Mariner half of the 8th, with Cleveland started Tomlin still on the hill.  He pops out to the first baseman in foul territory for the first out, bringing up left fielder Chone Figgins, who lines the second pitch he sees to Duncan in left field.  Up comes Dustin Ackley with two outs and nobody on.  He strikes out quickly on three pitches – including the last one over his head.

Instead of letting the dominant King Felix stay on to finish up his gem, Mariners skipper Eric Wedge opts for the adventure that M’s closer Brandon League always brings with him.  Indians catcher Carlos Santana leads off the 9th for the Tribe against League and draws a lead off walk.  Hafner comes up and drives a hard hit ball that drops right in front of Ichiro in right field.  Now men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and Kotchman  comes up with a crucial sacrifice bunt to move the runners up to 2nd and 3rd.  Two men in scoring position , with one out for left fielder Duncan who is hitting .265.  After a 1-1 count, Cunningham is brought in to pinch run for Hafner at second.  League then walks Duncan to load the bases for Triber third sacker, Jack Hannahan.  Wedge sends the pitching coach out to try to calm down League., who gives up a two run single through the left side to Hannahan for what may turn out to be the game winner.  Indian shortstop strikes out to League – and then, get this, Wedge brings in a left hander (Luetge) to relieve League …

Bringing in the closer fails again.  How many times is Manager Eric Wedge going to make this same mistake?  Does he really think his closer is better than Felix?  PLEEEEASE.   How can he expect his players to work for him with crappy decisions like this?  There is no way Felix will want to stay here when his contract is up if he’s continually treated like this.  Mr. Wedge – that was a MAJOR FAIL.

12,142 Paid Attendance at tonight’s game.

Reminder:  Tomorrow, Friday April 20th, the Mariners celebrate their first 35 years as a franchise and their first ever draft pick – Mr. Ruppert Jones.  It also happens to be Ichiro bobblehead night ….  Tickets are still available.

The Mariners now at 36 and 35 hope for a win on Sunday to win the series with the Phillies and keep pace with Texas Rangers now at 38 and 34 1-1/2 games ahead of the Mariners.

In the top of the first, the Indians 2nd hitter, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, lined a solo homerun into the left field bleachers off Mariners starter Jason Vargas.  1-0 Cleveland

It is the bottom of the first inning and Ichiro is leading off for the M’s.  Groundball base hit up the middle.  Ichiro on first with no outs.

The pre-game ceremonies were really cool this year.  Franklin Gutierez is injured and not at the game, but both he and Ichiro were awarded gold gloves, keeping the Mariners active streak of gold glovers alive at 21 straight seasons.  What was really cool was to see Felix Hernandez be awarded his first (of many to come) Cy Young Award – and on his 25th birthday.

Chone Figgins lined to the third baseman, who easily doubles the breaking Ichiro off first.  Two out.  Milton Bradley goes down on strikes.  Three outs and end of the first.  Cleveland still up 1-0.

Travis Hafner leads off the 2nd for the Tribe and grounds weakly to 2nd.  Next up for the Indians is Orland Cabrera, a two time gold glove winner.  No gold glove would have caught that seeing eye single in shallow centerfield.  Cabrera on first, not out.  Left fielder Austin Kearns at the plate.  Grounds into a 6-4-3 double play.  Middle of the 2nd.

Mariner Designated Hitter, Jack Cust leads off the 2nd for the Mariners.  He strikes out with a big swing that might have made the flag in centerfield move a bit.  First baseman grounds weakly to 2nd on the first pitch he sees tonight.  Two out and up comes Mariner catcher Miguel Olivo.  Olivo works the count to 3-0 , now 3-1, now full count.  Olivo fouls off another pitch, then cannot reach a slider on the outside part of the plate.  Strike three, three outs.  End of two innings.

Cleveland first bagger, Matt LaPorta leads off the 3rd for the visiting Indians and works the count to 3-2 before lining one foul – very close to being another homerun off Vargas, but Jason comes back to strike him out.  Next up for the Indians in Jack Hannahan, their 3rd baseman.  He works Vargas to a 3-0 count, now 3-1, then 3-2, before lining a one hopper over Ichiro’s head and off the wall for a stand up double.  LaPorta on 2nd with one out and up comes Indian leadoff hitter, Michael Brantley, who, on the first pitch, moves LaPorta over to third with a groundout to the right side.

Now up comes Cabrera again, but this time up, he lines weakly to Ichiro in right field.

Now the top of the 4th with two singles, men on first and third with no out and DH Travis Hafner at the plate.  Hafner breaks his back on a bleeder up the middle, drives in a run and now men on first and second with no outs.  Orlando Cabrera is up and turns to bunt, fouling off the first offering from Vargas.  He lines the next pitch (meatball?) into left center for the Indians 4th straight single.   Another run scores and once again, men on first and second for Indian left fielder Austin Kearns.  Kearns looks at the first two pitches – both balls well out of the strike zone.    Third pitch is down in the dirt and it appears that Vargas may be losing it.  Comes back with a strike,  3-1.   Another strike.  Full count.  Kearns rips the full count pitch past the left fielder Bradley to the wall for a run scoring double.  Indians up 4-0 with men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs.  LaPorta is up for the Tribe.  He hits a sacrifice fly to Bradley in left, making the score 5-0 with only one out and a man on 2nd.   Number nine hitter Hannahn comes up for the Indians and lines the first pitch into left center to score another run.  Indians up 6-0 with one out and a man on first – still in the 4th.

It continues to get worse.  Cather Carlos Santana hits a bases loaded drive into right field scoring two more runs.  Now 8-0, with two outs and men on first and second with DH Travis Hafner back at the plate.  Long fly ball on an 2-0 pitch into the stands over Ichiro’s head.  Three runs socre on the homerun, now 11-0 with two outs and the bases cleared.

Orlando Cabrera steps up and lines the first pitch into left field.  Cabrera on first with two down after 10 hits and 10 runs for the Indians in the 4th.  Austin Kearns steps up to the plate and works a 2-2 count before a called third strike ends possibly the worst inning in Mariner history.

The PA announcer just said that the game is indeed a sell out, with paid attendance at 45, 272.

Top of the 5th, Cleveland up 11-0 with Matt LaPorta at the plate.  LaPorta walks.  Indians #9 hitter, third baseman Jack Hannahan is at the plate with LaPorta on first and no outs.  Hannahan is making Seattle reliever Tom Wilhelmsen work. and takes the count to 3-2 before softly lining to Mariner center fielder Ryan Langerhans.  One out, mnan on first and Brantley steps up and lines one behind the running into right field.  Men on first and second with one out.

Cabrera strikes out on a wild pitch in the dirt and Mariners catcher Olivo throws the ball into center field in an attempt to catch the runner off base.  Another run scores on the throwing error.  Cleveland now up 12-0.  Bottom of the 5th.

This game will be new Seattle manager Eric Wedge’s first game against the team he first managed in the major leagues.

During pre-game ceremonies, there will be a tribute to Hall of Fame Broadcaster Dave Niehaus.  Marilyn Niehaus, Dave’s wife, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Carlos Carrsco who is 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA after his first start will take the hill for Cleveland, while Jason Vargas will get his second start for the Mariners after getting a no-decision in a Mariner win on April 2nd against Oakland.

Get on out to Safeco Field and support the home team!  Hope to see you there!

Go Mariners!

Mariner third baseman Chone Figgins came up big and homered in the sixth, giving the M’s the lead for good at 3-2.  M’s all-star lead off man Ichiro Suzuki went 2 for 4 with a walk , rbi, run scored and two stolen bases.  Catcher Miguel Olivo caught a nice game and went 2-5 with a walk, rbi and scored a run.

Center fielder Ryan Langerhans and Milton Bradley both had tough openers.  Langerhans went 0-5 with 4 strikeouts and Milton went 0-4 with a walk.  Mariner fans are hoping they bounce back tomorrow and contribute to an offensive barrage.

Safeco Field, built in 1999 and located in Seattle, Washington, houses the world’s second largest open/close roof with natural grass, is the Seattle Mariners home field and hosts more than 2 million fans per year. The street display being installed in the field today is a combination of SANYO’s proprietary waterproofing, dust protection and cooling technology, which can be used outside even while weather happens. The display features high brightness and advanced cooling control mechanisms. Weatherproof monitors will allow the stadium to display contents for ads or public information with clarity and brightness even outdoors.

“This 82-inch LCD monitor will give us a new way to provide information to our fans at Safeco Field without having to worry about the effects of weather.  We are very happy that SANYO chose to make its entrance into the North American digital signage market here at our home ballpark,” said Bob Aylward, Executive Vice President Business Operations, Seattle Mariners.

The growing digital signage market allows additional streams of income from innovative advertising options, and the digital signs are often seen in areas where people gather, outdoors, outside a store, at street intersections, etc. The signage serves a dual purpose, providing pertinent information to customers and the general public, as well as conveying sponsor messaging. Digital signage is very big in North America and Europe. Along with the proliferation of digital signs, there is also a shift to network the devices, and it is estimated that the market for digital signage will continue to grow to a market scope of approximately $2 billion in North America, and is said that it will expand to about $10 billion by 2015 (according SANYO forecasts).

“It is our privilege on this occasion to have the Mariners install our first large 82-inch LCD Weatherproof Street Display,” commented Mitsuru Homma, Executive Vice President of SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. “With this prominent appeal to our latest innovation in digital signage, this type of large monitor has officially made our presence known in the North American digital signage market.”

SANYO, on this occasion, officially is bringing the product as a digital signage option to North America. While the product is developed and manufactured by SANYO Electric, the sales for the product and services will be handled by the regional sales headquarters, SANYO North America Corporation.

The Mariners are slated to purchase and install approximately 250 SANYO TVs in their stadium this fiscal year, and when combined with the TVs already installed, the number of SANYO TVs in Safeco Field will be 656 units.

Main Features of 82” LCD Weatherproof Display

1. Industry’s top class 82”, high brightness (1300 cd/m2) LCD panel, with flexibility to adjust brightness dependent on ambient lighting conditions (1300 cd/m2 to 280 cd/m2)
2. Waterproof, dust-proof design with reinforced glass to allow installation outdoors in a variety of environmental conditions
3. Built-in heat pipe and compressors to create a unique cooling system, allowing placement or installation even under sunlight conditions outdoors

Components of the multi-year sponsorship agreement include:

• Presenting sponsor of out of town scores on Safeco Field’s new LED Out of Town Scoreboard,
• Prime advertising signage on the Out of Town Scoreboard (12’ 2” x 11’ 8” lighted “Built Ford Tough” sign on the right side of the scoreboard),
• One half inning per game on the home plate rotational signage,
• Title sponsor of the popular Hat Trick video board feature,
• Presenting sponsor for two weekend homestands during the season,
• Ford vehicle on display at Section 142 of the Main Concourse.

The Northwest Ford Dealers agreement also contains the first social media components of a sponsorship package for the Seattle Mariners.  Mariners pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith and catcher Rob Johnson will drive various Ford vehicles over the course of the season.  Rowland-Smith, who has 5,215 followers on his Twitter feed http://twitter.com/hyphen18, will post comments about his driving experience.

“The Mariners and Ford have both been on a bit of a roll lately and this new partnership comes at a great time for both organizations.  We’re glad to welcome Ford to Safeco Field as one of our newest corporate sponsors,” said Bob Aylward, Executive Vice President Corporate Business, Seattle Mariners.

“As Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers I can say we are thrilled to be teamed with the Mariners.  It is a perfect union, the Mariners are coming off a great 2009, and have strengthened their lineup, as has Ford Motor Company.  We have quality that is second to none, and a lineup of vehicles that fit with the diversity of baseball fans.  From Hybrids, to family haulers, to work trucks, to horsepower, Ford has it all.  We are looking forward to a long partnership with the Mariners, and the first of many World Series crowns in 2010,” said D.J. Tapley, Skagit River Ford owner and Chairman of the Northwest Ford Dealers.

Fans will also get an up close experience with Ford products at 24 Mariners home games this season with the Street Team mobile multi-media exhibit.  The 40-foot long trailer, pulled by a Ford F-450, has computer kiosks with access to the Northwest Ford Stores website (www.compareford.com), two video gaming systems, flat-screen TV monitors and wheel and tire displays.  Each appearance by the Street Team will also feature 7-8 Ford vehicles all on display across from the Safeco Field Home Plate Gate for every Saturday and Sunday home game.

Fans at Seattle Mariners games at Safeco Field this season will find a new line-up at concessions stands.  In addition to long-time favorites, there will be an emphasis on fresh, local and healthy options, and a focus on affordability.

Not to worry, garlic fries, Ivar’s clam chowder and hot dogs are still available, but for the more adventuresome palate, Centerplate, the exclusive caterer for Safeco Field, offers fans a variety of new offerings.  Some of the highlights are:

• Philly cheese steaks with hand cut fries, beef and lamb gyros, Greek salad, prime rib nachos,
• Dungeness crab sandwich, blackened salmon sandwich, peel & eat shrimp bucket, gluten-free halibut & chips
• Seattle’s own all natural, handmade Cucina Fresca pasta,
• An expanded vegetarian menu, featuring whole fresh fruit, gluten-free, vegan and organic selections including fruit smoothies,
• Deli option to build your own meals with grab-n-go sandwiches and sides of pasta, potato or coleslaw salads and chips,
• Hope’s Country Fresh Cookies, house-made cupcakes and caramel apples, chocolate dipped Rice Krispies Treats.

Value Menu

A Value Menu will be available at all games and there will be rotating special offers throughout the season.  The value selections will be available at the concession stand near Section 105, which is located close to the Center Field Bleachers and the Family Section at 103.  The second location is near Section 319 on the Upper Concourse.  The items available at the value locations include:

• 12 oz soda for $2.50
• 12 oz Aquafina water for $2.75
• Small hot dog for $3.50
• 4 oz bag peanuts for $2.50
• Small Cracker Jack for $1.75
• Small Popcorn for $2.50
• 16 oz beer for $5.50
• 20 oz beer for $6.50
• 130 oz popcorn tub with one free refill at all Rolling Roof stands

In addition to the value menu locations, fans can also get $2 hot dogs at all 10 Value games during the season, which offer $5 ticket discounts.

Blazing Bagels

Also joining the Safeco Field lineup is Blazing Bagels, which will operate a street level store near the flag-ship Seattle Mariners Team Store near the Left Field Gate.  Blazing Bagels will offer a selection of deli sandwiches, bagel dogs, sides, assorted bagels and schmears.  The Safeco Field store will be open Monday-Friday from 7am-3pm, during all Mariners games and for major events in the stadium district.  Blazing Bagels, which bills itself as “The Best Bagels East of New York,” has two other locations in Redmond on 176^th Ave. Northeast and in Bellevue at 108^th Ave. Northeast.

Wonderful Pistachios

Grown in California, Wonderful Pistachios will be available at Rolling Roof stands and beverage portable stands throughout the ballpark.  Wonderful Pistachios are roasted and lightly salted for a delicious all-natural, healthy snack.

Organic

The concession stand at Section 132 on the Main Concourse is being re-branded “The Natural,” and will feature a full selection of organic and vegetarian items.  In addition to the Garden Burger and veggie dog, there will be a hummus platter, rotating vegan soup, fruit juice and whole fruit, gluten-free “Kind Plus” snack bars, organic gummy snacks, and organic smoothies in strawberry, Very Berry, mango and peach.

Local Connections

Seattle’s own Cucina Fresca pasta will be featured in four dishes at the Bistro stand at Section 216 of the Wells Fargo Terrace Club.  The pasta bowls will come with a choice of toppings including vegetarian.  Bread from Essential Baking Company will be featured in sandwiches such as the Dungeness crab sandwich, available at the Sound Seafood stand, which will be served on garlic artisan French bread.  Essential Baking is an organic, artisan bakery with locations in Madison Valley and Wallingford.

The hand-cut French fries, available at the Fielder’s Choice stand at Section 136, are made with Kennebec potatoes grown by Bud-Rich Potatoes of Hermiston, OR.  The potatoes have high starch content and are prized for their firm yet creamy consistency and slight nutty flavor.  Kennebecs are multi-purpose potatoes, but are becoming the top choice in culinary circles for French frying.

Another new potato treat is Skinny Skins, house-made rustic potato chips served with sour cream, chives, cheese sauce and bacon bits.  Skinny Skins will be available at the Bases Loaded concession stand at Section 212 in the Wells Fargo Terrace Club and at the Field Grill stand in the Bullpen Market.

New foods with a new look club and a winning attitude make Safeco Field the place to be this season.  Hope to see you at the Ballpark!

The Mariners kick off their spring season later today in Peoria, Arizona.  Here is the official press release:

The Seattle Mariners will officially open Cactus League play with a 1:05 p.m. MT/12:05 PT spring training game against the San Francisco Giants.

Right-handed pitcher Doug Fister (3-4, 4.13 with Seattle in 2009) will make the start for the Mariners. The Giants will counter with two-time reigning National League Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum (former University of Washington star).

Also scheduled to pitch in the Cactus League opener is Kanekoa Texeira (RHP), Ricky Orta (RHP), David Pauley (RHP), Mike Koplove (RHP), Jesús Colomé (RHP) and Chris Seddon (LHP).

The game will be carried live on the radio in the Seattle area on ESPN 710 Seattle and the Mariners Radio Network.

Manager Don Wakamatsu has announced the following starting lineup for the Cactus League opener: