Good One Walker

On Friday night May 29 TaiJuan Walker had his best game of his major league career pitching for the Seattle Mariners. He gave up only two hits, struck out eight batters, and no runners scored against the Cleveland Indians in eight innings. The Mariners won the game 2-1 with closer Fernando Rodney making it interesting once again in the top of the ninth. He not only gave up a run the Indians had the tying run at third base. Fortunately there were two outs, and Rodney was able to get the final out.

What made this game important for Walker to win was twofold. His previous outing he had to leave the game after a poor outing in the sixth inning. He actually pitched the first four inning very good without giving up a hit; however, things went bad after that. After the game fans wondered if this would be it for Walker would he have to gone back down to Triple A to straighten things out or sent to the bullpen. Neither happened he started this game.

It was not only important that he have a good game the Mariners lost James Paxton on Thursday night. He had to leave the game because of discom-fort on his middle finger of his left hand. Friday morning he was examined and put on the 15 day disabled list. This was the second reason the Mariners needed a good outing by Walker.

The Mariners now are at full strength in the bullpen with seven relievers; however, they will need to bring up a starter from Triple A next Tuesday to pitch in Paxton spot. The most likely candidate is left hander Mike Montgomery. He is having a solid season at Tacoma, and he is on the 40 man roster. At that point the Mariners will decide whether to go back to six relievers, trade, or release one of the extra outfielders.

The injury to Paxton though was a blow on the positive side has allowed the Mariners to wait on doing what they figured would be done on the weekend by releasing the extra outfielder. Of course, they could continue to postpone it depending how far the starters go and how much the relievers are actually used.

Right now the Mariners are on a unusual eleven game home stand. They are playing the Indians four games through Sunday followed by three games against the New York Yankees and ending with four against the Tampa Bay Rays. It would be nice to win three out four against either the Indians or the Rays and two out of the three against the Yankees. Of course, we would love to see the Mariners beat the Yankees all three times.

Speaking of the Yankees they are having a better season so far then I expected. They currently have a record of 25-24; however, they have lost the first two games in their four game series against the A’s in Oakland. Why I say they are doing better than expected is that they have an older team. Alex Rodriguez is having a good season so far after missing all of last season because of a suspension. With the retiring of Derek Jeter I expected them to be near the bottom of the American League East. Right now they are leading that division. I am sure if they continue leading the division before the end of July the will go out and get a proven player to help them out for the remaining of the season.

Actually I would not mind the Yankees to be in the playoffs if it means the Mariners would face them. It would be very nice for the Mariners to eliminate them.

Until next time Go Mariners!