Mariners At Rangers Series

The Seattle Mariners are a half game 

behind the Texas Rangers heading into

the four game series beginning Friday.

It is important series for both teams.

Either the Rangers extend their lead,

the Mariners go ahead into first place 

or stays the same if they split the series.

It is an odd series since most series don't 

end on Monday. Next Tuesday the Mariners 

begin a three game in Los Angeles against

the Dodgers. They end July by coming home

to play the Minnesota Twins that goes into

August.  I find interesting the final game 

against the Dodgers next Thursday is at

night then fly back to Seattle to take on

the Twins Friday night.  I would have thought

they would have made that a day game. 

The seven game road trip it would be nice

for the Mariners to go 4-3 or 3-4 at worst.

The road trips in July have not been kind

to the Mariners  so nothing should surprise 

us unless a very good trip. 

July has not been good as far as hitting has

been for the Mariners. We hope to see at

least a small improvement on this trip.

At least not mentioned yet no moves to

the roster heading into this road trip. The 

Mariners did make a move on Thursday to

the coaching staff firing the assistant 

hitting coach. They promote the head of

the Mariners minor league hitting coaches.

Not quite the shake up I was thinking anyway.

Both Brendan Donovan and Rob Refsynder 

are still on rehab assignment. Donovan

could be activated during this road trip but

more likely when they get home against the

Twins. Refsynder on the other hand might

be activated or released  this coming week 

depending on whether the Mariners are able 

to make a trade for a right handed bat or not.

We hope something that might shake up the

offense if not now.  

Last year on this date was when the Mariners 

acquired Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks.  It would be nice if something 

like that will happen while in Texas. Stay tune

go M's. 

Promotions Of Mariners Top Prospects

The Seattle Mariners have Thursday off 

as they go to Texas to start a four game 

series against the Rangers. This is important 

series sfter struggling at home  going 3-3

against the San Francisco Giants and 

Cincinnati Reds eho they should have done 

better against.

The Seattle Mariners promoted both

Michael Arroyo and Lazaro Montes 

from double A Arkansas to triple A 

Tacoma. Arroyo is off hitting well

Tacoma hitting .367. A lot of fans especially 

would like to see him when the roster 

expands in September to Seattle. The

Mariners are looking to acquire a right

handed bat before the trading deadline.

It won't be easy ss many feel that a righ

handed bat maybe hard  to find and could 

be costly.   In that case Arroyo could be

a prospect that is traded although they

will try not to. 

Montes on the other hand is struggling at

Tacoma. A power hitter that is understandable 

that it could take longer to get used to hitting 

triple A pitching. He hsd been the Mariners 

minor league home run king the last  couple 

seasons. Being a left handed power hitting

player T-Mobile Park would be attractive to

the Mariners even if he never has a high

batting average. With the Mariners he would 

likely be a dh and occasion in left or right

field. 

There is speculation that  Mariners all-star 

left fielder Randy Arozarena who will be

a free agent at the end of the season won't 

resign or be traded in the next week or so

before the deadline. If that is the case  Montes

and Arroyo could share left field whether this

season or next. Arroyo has spent most of his

minor league career playing the infield however

this year has played some left field. He could 

play some along with Brendan Donovan as well.

They could be the right and left handed utility 

players keeping the regulars refreshed.  Arroyo 

could play second base against a tough lefty 

to give Cole Young a day off on occasion.

JP Crawford who has now played third base

Brendan Donovan csn give him a day off on

occasion though they both hit lefthanded.

Not sure when Donovan will be activated as

be is doing a rehab assignment at the moment.

This week Mariners have all the signed draft

picks down in Arizona and soon they will be

put on minor league teams. Let you know how 

that goes.

Two of the Mariners top prospects at Everett 

single A were promoted to double A Arkansas.

Shortstop Felinin Celesten and Jonny Farmelo 

outfielder were among the group.  Felinin had

a great May going 25 game hitting streak. He

is known as a good defensive shortstop. With

the Mariners he could be the future third baseman 

we will see.  Farmelo a good center fielder 

with the Mariners will have to be moved to a 

corner outfield.  Both coukd be traded if a big

trade comes about.  Celesten the Mariners won't 

trade unless something like that happens. 

Since the Mariners have some surplus minor 

leaguers someone will go if they are able to 

pull off a trade or two. The Mariners are looking 

acquiring a bigh leverage reliever. Besides the

trouble with hitting since Matt Brash has gone

down and having to rely  on seven relievers 

and they are going with six starters it has been 

difficult to say the least. Brash isn't expected 

back until mid August and the Mariners really

can't go much longer if at all without another 

right handed high leverage reliever.  

More updates coming. Go M's.   

 

Reds Take Mariners Wednesday Afternoon

Thr Seattle Mariners this first homestand

out of the all-star break was a disappointment.

They  beat the Giants two out of three then

winning the furst game against the Reds.

The Reds won 5-3 Wednesday to take the

series and the homestand evened at 3-3.

Again the offense was so so. 

The Mariners scored a run in the second.

Trouble they have had in the last two months.

 In the 4th the Reds scored two in the 4th

inning. The Mariners responded with two

more runs for a one run lead. 

Emerson Hancock went six innings giving

up the two runs.  Unfortunately the Mariners 

didn't score again. All season having problems 

adding on.   Eduardo Bazardo came in the 

seventh inning. He has an era of 2.84 so 

doing well. He ended up  giving up a three run 

homer. Colt Welcox pitched the 8th snd 9th.

He gave up one hits and no walks. 

Now the Mariners go to Texas to take on the

Rangers. They play four games Friday thru

Monday.  Important to do well. Right now the 

White Sox are beating the Rangers 4-2 in the

8th inning. 

The Mariners have a record of 12-8  in the

last 20 times playing one another. Both

teams have gone streaks against each other.

The Mariners are on a two game winning 

streak so a good trend. The whole  AL West

has been struggling this season. If the M's 

were doing better  they would have a good lead.

Donovan out for a while along with Julio

Rodriguez hasn't helped.   Go M's. 

 

Nick Emmanwori Placed On PUP List

The Seahawks players recently had 

physicals head into training camp.

Three players were put on the pup

list where they can't take in practice. 

They can join practice anytime during

training camp. If any player  is put

on the list when rosters are cut down

to 52 players to begin the season they 

will miss the first four games automatically.

News came out that safety Nick Emmanwori 

was placed on the pup list. It was a surprise 

to many as he took place in all the off-season 

workouts.  It is possible that he had to have 

minor surgery. No report was mentioned why.

Thiugh listed as a safety last season Emmanwori 

as a rookie played seven different positions.

This helped out the defense since they didn't 

have to make adjustments during the downs

the opponents had the offense on the field. 

Whatever time he misses in camp various 

players will have to take his spot.  Not all

bad news as long as he is on the opening 

roster at the begin of season. 

Running back Ken McIntosh was another

one put on the pup list. He was out all

last season as he was on the injured reserve

list. Hopefully he to is be able to join in at

some point. With Zach Charbonnett won't 

be able to participate at the beginning of 

the beginning of the season for depth 

it would be good to have Ken around.

We will bring anymore news during camp. 

The Seahawks first preseason game

will be at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

Let you know how that game goes.

Most likely won't see any starters.  Game 

two would likely see any starters play

if at all before the season starts. I know

they want keep players healthy but often

the offense starts slow at the beginning 

of the season. Go Hawks!

The Reds Even the Series

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Mariners 

Tuesday night 4-2.  The Mariners had 

six hits while the Reds had five. The

Reds counted for more.

The Red had three home runs and a

sacrifice fly while the Mariners had two

home runs. Eugenio Suarez had the Reds

second home run.  Julio Rodriguez who 

didn't start came in and pinch hit for

Luke Raley later in the game hsd a home 

in run in the 8th inning. Weston Wilson 

who started again for JP Crawford hit

a home run in the 7th for the first. Wasn't 

sure if the Mariners were going to score

at all. I wonder why Julio didn't start

since he came in later.

Luis Castillo went seven innings giving

up the first three runs. Jose Ferrer pitched 

the 8th. For some reason the Mariners used

Michael Rucker in the 9th inning being

down by one run. I am not sure why the

Mariners keep using low leverage pitchers 

in close games. He gave up the third home

run and 4th run of the game. The Mariners 

went down one, two, three with Canzone 

striking out to rnd the game. I am not sure

the Mariners lack confidence hitting or

consentration. 

The Mariners and Reds play a day game

for the final of the series. I may wait 90

minutes to watch. Go M's.

Mariners Make Three In Row

Monday night  the Seattle Mariners beat

the Cincinnati Reds 8-0 in another important 

game and beginning of the series. 

Mariners didn't score until the 5th inning

when Julio Rodriguez was able to make 

it to first base on an infield hit and Victor 

Robles scored. Robles had a perfect game

going four for four.  

George Kirby pitched a good game giving

up only three hits leaving after the 6th

inning.  George Kirby could have stayed

in but with the all star break and he hadn't 

pitched in a while leading by one was that 

the right move.  

Nick Navila who gave up that grand slam

on Friday pitched a perfect 7th inning. In

the bottom of the inning Colt Emerson 

who turned 21 on Monday came in with

the bases loaded hit a sacrifice fly giving

the Mariners a second run.  

Weston Wilson had come in for Julio 

in the top of the 7th inning and Robles

moved to center field.  Luke Raley pinch

hit for Buddy Kennedy who played in

llace of JP Crawford who had been

scratched.  Luke Raley scored on 

Wilson's double. Canzone was walked

intentionally to face Cal Raleigh even

though the Reds had lefty Caleb Ferguson 

who played for Mariners last year after

being acquired at the trading deadline .

Cal though on the very first pitch hit

a grand slam home run to make it

7-0. Serves the Reds right.

In the 8th  Cal was up again and end 

in a force iut however Colt Emerson 

scored. Wilcoc pitched the  8th

followed by Rucker in the 9th. None

of the three low leverage pifchers 

gave up a hit.  Rucker in fact struck

out all three batters he faced. Now we

see what relievers go tomorrow. 

The Texas Rangers lost so the Mariners 

are back in first place by a half a game.  

Luis Castillo will start Tuesday.. The

Astros beat the Marlins so they are

three and a half behind the Mariners. 

The A's and Angels won too . Go M's. 

 

Seattle Mariners Took Series With Win Sunday

The San Francisco Giants scored two runs

in the first inning off Logan Gilbert. Home run 

and  a single.  

The thought was not again.  With offense 

still hard to get back.  In the 4th inning

Josh Naylor and Weston Wilson who 

started in right field with Robbie Ray

on the mound hit singles to tie the game.

In the top of the 5th the Giants scored

another run. Logan was doing well despite 

giving up three runs.  In the bottom of the

5th the Mariners tied it again. Cal Raleigh 

grounded out with Cole Young scoring.

It was the Mariners the rest of the way.

Luke Raley ended up pinch hitting for 

Weston Wilson as Ray was taken out of 

the  game hit a solo home run in the 6th.

In the 7th Cole Young who was moved

to the third spot in the order even though

the Mariners were starting a lefty hit 

a two run homer with Julio Rodriguez on 

base.  No more scoring after 

that by either team. .

Cole Young with his second in as many 

games was the Mariners player of the

series.  Without his play the Mariners 

might have been swept and changes 

happening going into series against

the Reds on Monday.

Bazardo pitched the 7th giving up one

hit and struck out three which was 

fabulous. Speier pitched the 8th 

and Munoz the 9th. Neither gave up a 

hit.

All three pitched Saturday and Sunday 

so likely won't be available on Monday.

Jose Ferrer will be the only high leverage 

reliever available. George Kirby will start

for the Mariners. We hope that he will

be able to go seven to help out the

bullpen.  Though a slow start to the

game this is the kind of game the

Mariners need to win.

 

The Rangers lost to the Braves 8-5

so the Mariners are a half game back

now. The Rangers are home against 

the White Sox for three games. The

White Sox lead the central division.

Although they haven't played well

on the road this season they did

win the first and third against the 

Blue  Jays in Toronto so that would 

be nice again.

The Astros were swept by the Baltimore 

Orioles over the weekend at home so they 

are four back. They take on the Miami 

Marlins for three next up at home but

as we know the Marlins are good. The

A's who have really struggled lately are

8 games back and the Angels 11.5 back.

They have a tough schedule in  August

against teams trying to make the

playoffs. The could lose a player or

more during the trade deadline.

So hopefully the Mariners can play

more like Sunday they have a good 

shot for playoffs.  Next weekend 

against the Rangers so we will see.

Go M's..