Sweep Not In the Cards

Early in Sunday’s game the Mariners looked like they had the chance of sweeping the Cardinals but it was not in cards so to speak.

The Mariners got up early taking a 3-1 lead after three innings however the Cardinals hit several doubles plus a triple off of Karns to make it 5-3 for the Cardinals. I thought at the time here we go again especially when the Cardinals hit a home run in the sixth inning however Gutierrez hit a three run homer to tie the game to give us some hope tying the score 6-6. The tie did not last long because in the top of the seventh Nick Vincent gave up back to back home runs. It did not end there with three more solo home runs that ended the game 11-6. Rookie Diaz I let him slide because he throws the ball hard and is successful most of the time. When someone does get a hit off of him the chances it will be a home run though he has given up a few singles to; however, Vincent and Nuno seem to like giving up home runs.

The Mariners coaching staff needs to look into who they should be pitching in these close games. Home runs are giving up too many games. I think they may have to move the fences back out again. Not necessarily where they were before. David Rollins seems to be throwing strikes. He only gave up one walk in Tacoma so he may have to replace Nuno as the left specialist.

The Mariners starting rotation will be making changes this week because Miley is supposed to be coming off the disabled list on Wednesday and TaiJuan Walker is expected to pitch on Thursday. The Mariners will need to make a roster change on Wednesday so I am sure Roach will be sent back down.  I would move Karns to the bullpen when Miley is reinstated. So the new rotation would be Paxton, Iwakuma, Miley, Walker and LeBlanc. This would make the rotation going from one lefty when the season started now to three. Karns could be the first man out of the bullpen when Montgomery isn’t. We could find out this is a good role for Karns. Something happens with one of the other guys he can be added back in.

The Mariners take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday and Wednesday. They actually struggled to lose twenty out of twenty-six game recently. Iwakuma will start Tuesday’s game after the Mariners have Monday off followed by Miley.

The Mariners will face the Baltimore Orioles in a four game series over the weekend. TaiJuan Walker is expected to start that game. Friday’s game could be either LeBlanc or Karns starting the game. I would put into the hands of LeBlanc myself.  We will be seeing more changes this week especially in the pitching. So enjoy Monday off and get back to it on Tuesday. Go M’s.