The Seattle Mariners beat the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday 6-4 to avoid
being swept. The Mariners have the best road record but they had some trouble
with the Rays though all three games they scored first early. This game was not
much different except this time the Mariners were able to hold them off.
Korean first baseman Dae-Ho Lee who started again on Thursday because
the Mariners were facing lefthander Blake Snell who was brought up again by the
Rays from Triple-A. He was nervous because he is native of the Seattle area and
has been a life-long Mariner fan. The Mariners were able to get to him in the
first for three runs that included a single from Lee that brought in two of
those runs. In the fourth inning Lee hit his first double of the season that
brought in another run. This was after the Rays scored two runs in the third
inning to make it 3-2.
The score was 5-4 to going into the ninth when Kyle Seager hit a solo
home run to give the Mariners a little cushion. Benoit struggled in the eighth
inning loading the bases however only gave up one run. This was the second game
that Benoit had pitched in a row. He threw thirty-six games in this game after
throwing thirty-five on Wednesday. Do not expect him to pitch on Friday night
against the Boston Red Sox.
Steve Cishek pitched the ninth inning because the Mariners were in a
save situation. I am sure he felt good because of the two run lead so he could
go right after the Ray hitters. Much different pitching with a two run lead
over a one run lead; he pitched to three batters not giving up a hit or walk on
sixteen pitches. He likely will not pitch against the Red Sox Friday either
unless the Mariners are in a saved situation once again. Though he has had four
blown saves I still like the way Cishek is pitching for the Mariners and
general manager Jerry Dipoto sees no reason to remove him out of the closer
role at this time.
The main concern Dipoto still has is the amount of innings the starters
are going in each outing. James Paxton gave up three runs with two walks and
five strike outs on one hundred and five pitches in six innings. Though the
amount of innings was OK I am sure Servais and Dipoto would have liked Paxton
to go at least seven innings. This was Paxton’s first of the season after two
losses. The second loss pitched well in it after having a bad outing in his
first one after replacing Felix Hernandez because of inning. Speaking of the
King the Mariners still do not expect Felix to return to the starting rotation
until August. The Mariners are in good hands if Paxton can continue to pitch
the way he has had in his last three outing. There is concern in the rotation
though if Walker continues having a problem after leaving his last outing
because of injury. Walker is expected to pitch against the Red Sox on Sunday.
Depending on the rotation the Mariners could go out and trade for another
starter before the trading deadline on where they are in the standings. If they
are still in second place or moved up to first another starter would be a need
for them.
Catcher Chris Iannetta helped again on Thursday in the offense as he had
three hits in the game. He drove in a run as well for the Mariners. Though he
could use a rest most likely he will be in the lineup again Friday night as the
Mariners face lefty and former Mariner Elias who is coming up from Triple-A. The
Mariners should start Lee again at first base with Franklin Gutierrez in right
field or designated hitter. I expect that Leonys Martin should be back in
center field after taking Thursday off.
The Red Sox are one game behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American
League East. Both teams just finished facing each other. The Mariners had a
good time when facing the Orioles in Baltimore so we can hope the same happens
in Boston against the Red Sox. While the Mariners are facing the Sox this
weekend the Texas Rangers will be facing the Cardinals in St. Louis. So we
should be rooting on the Cardinals this weekend. The Mariners will face the
Cardinals themselves on their next home stand. Go M’s.
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