Mariners Almost No-Hit

The Seattle Mariners were shut-out by the Miami Marlins in the second game of the series on Tuesday night. Lefthander Chen pitched seven innings giving up no runs however walked two batters. He left the game because he had thrown one hundred pitches. Later in the season he likely would have pitched a complete game unless he had given up the one hit.

Mitch Haniger who has lived up to his billing before spring training got the only hit of the game for the Mariners a double in the bottom of the ninth inning. Haniger has been the best player for the Mariners since Jean Segura went on the disabled list.

Gallardo who started for the Mariners gave up four runs in six innings including a two-run homer by Bourn in the third inning.  The Marlins got a run in both the first and second inning before Bourn’s homer. They scored their final run in the top of the ninth inning. It will be interesting to see how many more starts Gallardo will have for the Mariners before they bring in another starter to pitch. At least on the bright spot the other four starters have been pitching fairly well though Iwakuma had a bad outing on Sunday.

Ariel Miranda who pitched well against the Marlins in the Mariners win on Monday looks like he will be staying in the rotation for the time being. If he continues pitching the way he is when Drew Smyly returns sometime in June the Mariners may leave him in the rotations. A lot depends on Gallardo or who replaces him.  Having a third lefty in the starting rotation may be OK with the Mariners too. This could depend on who the Mariners face as well. For example if Miranda and Smyly were both in the rotation the Mariners most likely would not want both facing the same time. In that instance either Miranda or Smyly could go to the bullpen temporarily and a right hander replaces them.  We won’t worry about until the time comes.

According to manager Scott Servais when Segura returns from the disabled list at the end of the week that Taylor Motter will still see a lot of action for the Mariners. Most likely we will see him playing outfield and first base. He will face left handers in the outfield and could play first base against right handers. Valencia who has started most games has been having trouble hitting in April though he has been doing better lately. He has been a better hitter against left handers than right handers. Defensively I would say that Valencia and Motter are equal at first base. 

When Segura returns from the disabled list most likely Michael Freeman will be sent back to Tacoma unless Servais and Dipoto feel that they can go with seven pitchers in the bullpen.

The Mariners play an afternoon on Wednesday before going to Oakland to take on the A’s in a four game series. King Felix will be starting Wednesday’s game. Also nice that James Paxton will start the first game of the road trip on Thursday. He has been pitching so outstanding and was named American League player of the week. The last time a Mariner had a left handed pitcher being named player of the week was almost twenty years ago. Go M’s.

In other local sports news the Seattle Seahawks had voluntary work outs this week.  Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor were among the Seahawk’s top five defensive players who decided not attend. I am sure there will be more talk about Sherman whether he will be traded or not. Actually I am tired of the whole thing myself. In a couple weeks the Seahawks will have monitory work outs and we will have to see whether Sherman will attend them or not. Next week starting on April 27^th will be the college draft. Go Hawks!