First Win Moore to Come

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Moore made his debut on Thursday Night for the Seattle Mariners against the Detroit Tigers. I know a lot of people have started using puns with his name so I couldn’t resist using in the title.

Moore pitched a good game especially for his debut. He looks like a guy with a lot of confidence in his pitching. I am sure he will have some games where he won’t look as good however we hope that he looks a lot like he did on Thursday Night. He was able to pitch seven innings where he gave up three runs on six hits and struck out four without giving up a walk.

The Tigers first run off of Moore came in the third inning when Ian Kinsler hit a solo home run the third game in a row that he hit a home run. The Tigers got to Moore again in the fifth inning giving up two runs however he was able to make it through the seven innings.

The Mariners started their scoring in the second inning when Robinson Cano hit a two-run homer and they scored another run to make it 3-0. The Mariners scored two more runs in the bottom of the third after Kinsler’s home run to make it 5-1. Cano had another home run in the seventh inning. It was a grand slam home run to make the score 9-3.

Moore was replaced in the eighth inning because of the large lead in the game by Max Povse who also made his major league debut. Unfortunately he didn’t fare as we as Moore did. He actually gave up a home run to Miguel Cabrera with a runner on base to make the score 9-5. I thought at the time Cabrera was not kind to Povse hitting the home run however I am sure he has done that to other pitchers in their major league debuts as well. Povse looked good to the first two batters easy getting outs. Besides the home run Povse gave up a couple doubles as well for the Tigers to score another run off of him. I am sure that he will learn from this experience. He pitched only two-thirds of the inning when he was relieved by Tony Zych in the eighth inning. Zych was able to get the last out of the eighth inning so the Tigers didn’t get more runs in the game.

Steve Cishek pitched the ninth inning for the Mariners giving up no hits and striking out two. It gave him the first save of the season. He looked much better than the game he pitched before against the Tigers.

Ben Gamel extended his hitting streak in the game driving in two runs on a double. He continues to look great with his batting average now at .352. He batted seventh in the batting order on Thursday since the Mariners were facing Norris a lefty for the Tigers. Mitch Haniger was more in his familiar spot of being second in the batting order. They will be switching off between second and seventh. Gamel will bat second against righties while Haniger will against lefties. Haniger had a hit in the game scoring twice and his batting average at .320.

Gamel continues to hit well while hustling either at the plate or in the field. Regardless who are in the lineup the outfielders are all doing well. Facing Norris we saw Heredia playing in center field. He we will be at that position most of the time against lefties while Dyson will be against righties.  Heredia will face righties on occasion when Haniger or Gamel need a rest. Since the Mariners have a day off next Monday and Thursday giving those two a rest won’t happen for probably a couple weeks.

Felix Hernandez makes his return to pitching Friday Night against division rival and leader the Houston Astros. It would be nice if the Mariners could win at least two of the three games against the Astros. The Mariners face Joe Musgrove who will go for the Astros. He has a record of 4-6 with an era of 5.09 in twelve starts. Hard to know how Felix will go Friday night however the Mariners do look like a good shot to win the game and go two games above .500. Go M’s.