We knew going into Sunday’s game that the Mariners had a good
chance in winning the game and the series against the Mets however they decided
to make it no doubt at all with the final score being 9-1.
James Paxton who has had a great month of July on the mound
was going to pitch on Sunday so we had a pretty good idea that the Mariners may
win however the offense decided they would make it no question at all. Since
the beginning of July Paxton now is 6-0 and we hope that continues into August.
Also in July he got a nickname in the Big Maple and a cheering session called “the
Maple Grove”. You know that you have made it when this happens in one month.
On the offense side of the ball Nelson Cruz started off
hitting a home run in the first inning with two runners on base to take a 3-0
lead. In the second inning the Mariners scored another two runs including a
solo homer by Leonys Martin who was recalled from Tacoma to take the place of
injured outfielder Mitch Haniger. He was inserted in right field and at ninth
in the batting order. Although I am glad that he played in the game the first
day back I hope that Guillermo Heredia gets to play a lot beyond
platooning. He will be in the lineup
Monday Night in Texas as lefty Cole Hamels will be going for the Rangers. Whether it will be Dyson or Martin in the
lineup is anyone’s guess at this time.
It was nice to see that Robinson Cano came out of his July
slump getting a couple hits along with Cruz three-run homer in the first inning.
The Mariners will need both of their bats to have a successful August when they
will be on the road most of the month. They have only one week at home during
August.
It was interesting to see that manager Scott Servais decided
to change Ben Gamel and Jean Segura spots in the lineup for Sunday. Ben Gamel
continued his hot hitting getting a couple hits leading off while Segura did
get one hit himself. Playing against Hamel I expect that Segura will be back at
leading off of on Monday night. It will be interesting to see if Servais
decides to keep Gamel in the leadoff spot when facing righties.
When the Mariners brought Leonys Martin to take the spot of
Mitch Haniger on the roster they had to dfa a player on the 40-man roster
because Martin was no longer on that roster when he was sent down to Tacoma in
late April. The Mariners announced that they had designated for assignment
former first round pick DJ Peterson. It will be interesting whether they will
have him part of a trade or that they will have him picked up by another team. A
few days ago Tyler Smith was dfa’d by the Mariners and he was picked up by the
Rangers. Cody Martin who was brought up the same day as Smith dfa was sent back
down with adding Erasmo Ramirez to the roster. Ramirez was traded back to the
Mariners for Steve Cishek last week from the Tampa Bay Rays. Ramirez is
expected to start on Tuesday for the Mariners. With Monday being the trading
deadline the Rangers are expected to trade Yu Darvish however if he is not he
will face the Mariners in this series. It would be interesting if the Mariners
decide to trade for Darvish while they are in Texas.
The Mariners will go to Kansas City to take on the Royals in
a four game series before having next Monday off. The only Monday off in
August. All other days off for the Mariners in August will be on Thursday. They
will then play two games against the A’s in Oakland next Tuesday and Wednesday
before returning home for the series against the Los Angeles Angels and the
Baltimore Orioles. They will be only time home the Mariners will be in August.
They will then return on the road for the rest of the month.
It will be important that the starting pitching does well
while being on the road otherwise we will see changes in the bullpen over the
month along with the fact to have a successful road trip. So let’s go Mariners
we want you to be still in the race when August ends. I am sure we will all be
tuned in to see what general manager Jerry Dipoto will do this Monday with any
new roster moves.
No comments:
Post a Comment