San Diego What the Doctor Ordered

It is really nice to write something positive for a change concerning the Mariners. The Mariners rolled into San Diego and shut out the Padres in two games. We can wonder if this is what the doctor ordered and revive the Mariners.

The pitching in the series was outstanding with both Mike Montgomery and TaiJuan Walking giving up no runs. It was the second game in a row that Montgomery went the distance and had shut outs in both. What makes Montgomery special at least that we can see now is that when he struggles he finds a way to get out of the situation. He had several walks but only gave up one hit to the Padres. He had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning. Also, Walker continues having outstanding outings. He looks like the pitcher that came out of spring training.

Though the pitching was outstanding it is the hitting that makes us excited. The Mariners scored twelve runs in the two games. It looks like Cano is back into his groove especially hitting two home runs and a total of four hits in the second game of the series. Also, it is really nice to see that Mike Zunino is starting to hit under the teaching of Edgar Martinez.

 

 

What impresses me the most is what they are doing with situational hitting. They are moving runs along with good base running and bringing in runs with sacrifice flies. Other words they are doing the little things to win ball games which they have done very seldom this season. We can hope this will become a regular habit as the season moves forward. I don’t really want to write again what has happened before now.

The Mariners now go into Oakland having a winning record on the road trip. Not significant but gives us hope. The A’s are not far behind the Mariners but they have not fared will against our team so far this season so we can hope it continues.

The Mariners have called Chris Taylor back up to the club. He was pulled from Tacoma’s game on Wednesday. No announced who he will replace on the roster as of yet. I guess we will see. The play of Brad Miller I would not think that Taylor will resume his spot as the starting shortstop. Who he replaces we will see; I guess we can speculate but the answer will happen at least in a few hours. Most likely I see him replacing either Willie Bloomquist or Dustin Ackley.  In either case he would backup Miller at short and he when inserted in the lineup Miller would play another infield or outfield position on less there is an off day for Miller. The only other position I would see Taylor playing besides shortstop would be second base, however, I don’t see that happening unless Cano gets hurt or he is designated hitter sometimes.

Anyway the Mariners keep up the good work that you did against the Padres. Realize what you did the last two games you can do the rest of the season. We can hope for continue improvement. Go Mariners!