Iwakuma Good First Outing

I know that Iwakuma is very popular here since his no-hitter last year is the number story on this blog. If you like you can go ahead and reread again.

Anyway Iwakuma had a very good first out breezing through the two innings he pitched. He was really happy that most of batters for Texas hit the ball on the ground. Though he is the last of the pitchers in the rotations except Felix he is expected to pitch the second game of the regular season against the same Rangers. We can hope that game will start in the same fashion.

Again the Mariners offense had a good game winning 7-3 and giving the Rangers their first loss of the spring. The Rangers are now 3-1 in the spring training games.

What made the game really exciting was the stealing of bases by the three guys competing for the utility role on the team. Luis Sardinas who looks like he is the front runner for the utility role had a stolen base along with Sean O’Malley and Chris Taylor. The Mariners had a total of six stolen bases with center fielder Leonys Martin swiping two bases as well. One of the stolen bases was on the back end of a double steal with Chris Taylor stealing third. Unfortunately on a grounder Taylor was caught at home. He was told to run on contact so not his fault. When spring training began manager Scott Servais wanted those who can run go ahead and do so. Most likely we will not see the Mariners steal so many bases during the regular season however I am sure we will see more bases stolen than last year. Former Mariner Julio Cruz is in camp working with guys like Boog Powell on their running skills. You see Powell has the speed but has been caught stealing a lot during his minor league career so Cruz is working with him to become a better stealer of bases. Likely Powell will be starting the season in Tacoma so he will have the chance to see what he has learned from Cruz in stealing bases.

Manager Scott Servais says that hitting will be a priority for the player who makes the roster as the right handed hitting first baseman if thing are even than the one with the better defense will win the position. Lee and Montero are the leading candidates I have to say it may be hard to see who plays the better defense if it is down to the two of them. Though he isn’t known for his defense last season I did see Montero make a few outstanding plays at first base so I think he is adequate as long he can hit the ball. Being out of options he could be the leading candidate however we don’t know the thinking behind either Dipoto or Servais. I like the fact that Montero can hit the ball to the opposite field with power which works well in Safeco Field. So far several of his hits have been to the opposite field including a double on Sunday.

Today James Paxton makes his second turn starting for the Mariners against the Arizona Diamondbacks. I am not sure whether he will stay on pitching two innings or go three this time. I am sure a lot will depend on how many pitches he throws.  Nathan Karns again will pitch tomorrow. At this point the fifth starter seems to be the competition between Paxton and Karns. Last week general manager Dipoto hinted that both could be on the roster when the season begins with the loser for the fifth starter going to the bullpen. He still expects to have seven pitchers in the bullpen with five right handers and two lefties.

The starting infield will be in the lineup today for the Mariners while the outfield will be Navarro in left, Powell in center and Romero in right. Steve Clevenger will be catching today’s game. Nelson Cruz will be back in the game at designated hitter. Since he has had an injury likely he won’t be in the field for a little while. I am sure when he feel completely right the Mariners will play him out in right field.

The game again will start just after 12 pm and be on the radio. The first television game will take place on Wednesday at the same time. Go Mariners!