Mariners Score 21 Runs in Philly

 

It is hard to know whether it is the Mariners hitting or the Phillies pitching however the Mariners did score 21 runs in two games in Philadelphia.

Tuesday night game in Philadelphia the Mariners won only by one run 10-9. Twice they had to come from behind to win the game. Robinson Cano started the game by hitting a home run however he had to leave the game early and was replaced by Taylor Motter who later on helped the Mariners win. In fact he hit in the winning run in the top of the ninth inning.

It was announced after the game that Cano was day to day however he did play in Wednesday day game. Again he played a part in the Mariners win 11-6. He had four hits and got on base five times.

How the players are falling for the Mariners it would not be a surprised if Cano had been put on the disabled list however he was able to play though he does run carefully. Nelson Cruz had one at bat in each game because the Mariners decided to keep him out of the game because of his hamstring since there was no designated hitter. He will be back in the lineup Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays.  

The Mariners are now back to even with a record of 17-17 and is in second place behind the red hot Houston Astros. The Blue Jays have been struggling and the Mariners hope that they continue that way as long as the Mariners are in Toronto.

It was announced on Wednesday that Iwakuma was placed on the ten day disabled list so he now makes the fourth starter in the original rotation in spring training to go on the list. Only Yovani Gallardo is the soul survivor. In fact Gallardo pitched Wednesday game for the Mariners in Philly. He had a descent game once again.  He went five innings giving up four hits however one was a home run with two runs on base in the 3^rd inning. It seems like most of his starts he has one bad inning and this time it was the third inning. At that point it tied the game 3-3. The Mariners then scored eight runs five coming in the seventh and three more in the eighth to put the game out of reach.

The Phillies hit two home runs off of Dillon Overton in the ninth inning after getting a single run off of Dan Altavilla in the eighth inning.  Tony Zych got the victory after pitching the sixth inning giving up one hit and a walk. No Philly player scored a run that inning.

The big blow in the seventh inning was when former Philly and current Mariner catcher Carlos Ruiz hit a double with the bases loaded to bring all three runners. Ruiz is a hero in Philly so the fans had a hard time deciding whether to clap for him or not. Some of them did along with the Mariner fans that were at the game.

Ben Gamel played a big part in the series getting on base nine times including a home run and a double in Tuesday night’s game.  He has been hitting .373 since coming up in replacement of Mitch Haniger when he went on the disabled list. Haniger is expected to return next week along with Felix. I am sure the Mariners will have a four player rotation in the outfield when Haniger returns. Depending on who is hot and whether they are facing a righty or a lefty. Haniger and Heredia will both are in the lineup against lefties while Gamel and Dyson against righties. Deciding who plays the most is a good dilemma. I am sure that Haniger will play a lot in right field when he returns since he was playing so well before going on disabled list. Heredia will play center against most lefties while Gamel be in left field. Whoever isn’t starting will likely pinch hit for the catcher who is starting in the game.

Chase De Jong is expected to pitch Thursday’s game for the Mariners. After that the Mariners brass will have to decide who goes until Ariel Miranda and Yovani Gallardo have their next starts. The Mariners brought up Sam Gaviglio to take Iwakuma spot on the roster however he is expected to pitch long relief however he could get into the starting rotation mix with Christian Bergman and Dillon Overton for two of the starting spots. Right now De Jong, Miranda and Gallardo are three of the starters. Felix is expected to return next week and James Paxton could about the same time. Felix has already started throwing and Paxton today or tomorrow. Look forward to a healthy club coming up in the meantime everything looks on the upside. Go M’s.