Mariners Struggle to Score Runs

The Seattle Mariners Monday afternoon against the Houston Astros had trouble scoring runs throughout the game though they had a few opportunities to do so. Once instance they had the bases loaded with no one out but Dae-Ho Lee hit the ball straight to pitcher McCullers who threw it home and got Lee without any problem at all. The Mariners still had two runners on base however Adam Lind was not able to drive them home either.

I expect the problem with the offense after having such a great game on Sunday against the Orioles was that they had to play a day game after flying all the way to Houston. You have to figure not only a flight that probably takes about four or five hours to get there the two hour time change makes a difference to.

Wade Miley had a really good outing Monday having a poor one previously after coming off the disabled list. He gave up a home run to George Springer in the first inning and did well until the fifth inning when the Astros scored another run.  Tom Wilhelmsen replaced him with one out in the seventh inning. He went a total of one inning giving up just one hit on sixteen pitches. Dave Rollins the lefty replaced him the eight with two men out.  He did walk two guys but was able to get out of the inning. This was unusual because Rollins only walked one batter while in Tacoma. It doesn’t really seem the Mariners use there lefties in situations like a lot of other teams do. Neither Montgomery nor Nuno seem really the type though Rollins is more the pitcher the Mariners can use in those situations. The Mariners should do more situational pitching especially in either the seventh or eighth inning.

We hope that Miley can pitch more like he did on Monday in the next couple starts around the all-star break and when Felix comes back. This would allow the Mariners to do a trade or two before the end of July. The Mariners need to look at picking up a talented and athletic outfield along with a solid relief pitcher or starting pitcher. Whatever the case the Mariners need to add a couple more pieces to this roster to make a good run to the playoffs;  they could trade one of the starters along with D.J. Peterson who just got elevated to triple A and doing a fine job. They could throw Aoki into the mix to if someone is looking for an extra outfielder. The Mariners do have a few other prospects down in the minors to trade as well. Peterson just doesn’t look to have a spot on the Mariners roster. Adam Lind will be a free agent at the end of the season and likely the Mariners will not resign him. Most likely Dae-Ho Lee will continue to be on the Mariner roster for another year at least. Peterson is a right handed hitter like Lee so the Mariners do not need both of them. The best would find another left handed first baseman during the off season. Of course the Mariners could look at trading Lind as well. Lee has shown that he can play almost every day and can hit right handers as well as lefties.  We will have to see what Dipoto has under his sleeves in the next few weeks. I am sure he will make a move and he has support of the ownership. Go M’s.