Nice Night at the Park

Saturday Night June 6 I made it to my first Mariner game of the season.  It was around 80 degrees; however, it was really nice because there was some sun out in the area of section 117 I was sitting in.

The sun lasted about the first couple innings and moved on though most of the park was out of it.

What I liked was the wind was blowing a little so it kept the temperature feeling cool. Though I like the sun I feel better when it is not direct in my eyes for very long.  Wearing my glasses helped out as well.

I entered Safeco Field on the right field side. Section 117 is really nice place to sit. I would recommend any around that section to have seats. You can see the action really well.

The early part of the game Felix Hernandez who was pitching for the Mariners was having some trouble; however, he was able to get out without Tampa Bay Rays scoring any runs. He threw about forty pitches in the first two innings. Unlike the previous game struggling with the pitches did not get to him. He was able to strike out batters and get some grounders in good fashion.

The Mariners won the game 2-1. Though a lot of runs were not scored at least the Mariners were able to get the victory, and end the seven game losing streak. We can only hope that they can start scoring more runs but at least the pitching has been real good.

The Mariners scored first, and the Rays tied the game when Felix threw a wild pitch. Zunino had trouble a few other times keeping the ball in front of him, and a few runners stole bases as well. Felix was good on his game after the second inning so he was able to get out any small skirmishes after that.

Willie Bloomquist had a good game playing at shortstop. Though he had not played a lot of games so far this season at shortstop he did a good job. It seemed under the circumstance of not playing a lot at short a lot of balls were hit to him. Also, he hit in the first run of the game.

The game was won in the bottom of the seventh when Austin Jackson hit a home run. He had another outstanding game. Also, he had a double earlier and got far as third base. His defense was solid as well. He has been playing well since he returned from his ankle injury. I told the gal next to me who is a big Austin Jackson fan and calls him AJ that maybe he should get hurt more often. Of course, I was just kidding.

Like I said Felix pitched an outstanding game overall though struggle early. He left the game after seven innings because he had thrown more than one hundred pitches. Mark Lowe pitched the eighth inning without a problem, and Carson Smith who received a standing ovation worked the ninth inning getting all three batters out. He received his first major league save.

The Mariners have decided to give Fernando Rodney a few days off from the closer role. According to Manager Lloyd McClendon that Carson Smith, Mark Lower, and Charlie Furbush will be three likely relievers to close for the Mariners until Rodney gets his mechanics fixed. Lloyd says that there is nothing wrong with Rodney physically just needs to work on his pitches. He should be back closing games in a few days.

We can hope that the Mariners can now start winning a few games in a row so they can get back into the race. Maybe today and the next road trip the Mariners can start scoring four runs and more. All these games on this home stand the Mariners have scored three runs or less.

I see the Mariners will do some winning as long as the pitching holds up, and get some timely hitting. It looks like they have a solid everyday lineup with getting Mark Trumbo from Arizona. It is a wonder what they will do with the bench but right now it the least of their problems. Go Mariners!