5 Random Thoughts About the Game Last Night

Here's a handful of random thoughts and observations from last night's 6-5 loss to the Rangers. Enjoy.

1. Has anyone sat out of a game before due to an "inflamed colon?"

Here's Griffey's explanation:

"I know exactly what it is -- inflamed colon. It can range from things you eat, to mood swings, loss of a little puppy. It is just sore. It will be all right. It just comes on when it wants to. It started this morning."

2. I almost spit up my chicken BBQ sandwich in the 9th inning when Yuni walked for the first time in 97 at bats. People in the crowd were actually chanting, "Don't swing!"

3. Franklin Gutierrez is a player. It is time for Wak to think about putting Guti back in the two hole and switching Chavez into the 8 or 9 spot in the lineup.

4. Is Beltre ever going to go deep again? Clean-up hitters should NOT have zero homers in 106 at bats. I realize the guy is gritty, plays injured and mans the hot corner without a cup but enough already! Let's go Adrian!!

5. Branyon is a stud. They don't call him "Russell the muscle" for no reason. The guy is hitting a cool .320 with 7 HR's and 15 RBIs in only 75 at bats. He is the only person in our lineup opposing teams are pitching around.

Griffey's Golden Eye

Can Griffey contribute to the 2009 Mariner ballclub? This was the question on everyone's mind when Griffey was given a contract offer. There were a lot of doubters and naysayers that said no. They felt Griffey is too old, too fat, too slow.

The naive baseball fan would agree. To start the season Griffey is batting 182 with 1 HR and only 1 RBI. This is not what you want from a bat in the meat of your lineup.

Is Griffey hurting the team by taking away at bats from the younger guys on the team?

Let's dive a little deeper into Griffey's return to the Emerald City. The Mariners are 4-2. No, that is not a typo! Griffey's presence has caused a visible difference in the clubhouse, and the players are finally meshing. He has taught his teammates the importance of patience and good pitch selection.

Griffey has a golden eye. In 17 total at bats this season he has walked 6 times. His on base percentage is a staggering 471. To put this in perspective, Betancourt has come to the dish 18 times this year. He has a 333 batting average, 6 hits, 3 runs, and 2 doubles. Most people would say Yuni is hot, but I beg to differ. Betancourt has zero walks this year and a subpar 333 on base percentage.

Griffey adds more than just a presence in the clubhouse and a veteran in your lineup. He gets on base! His stats help the team win.

Has the Griffey experiment paid off? Look at the AL West standings and decide for yourself.