Braves Shut Out Mariners

Not a big surprise to me that the Mariners got shut out on Tuesday by the Braves. It was a similar situation when they got shut out in Tampa Bay on Sunday. They allowed a pitcher that only pitched four major league games in his career to get the best of them. They seem to do better against pitchers like Chris Sale.

I wonder if they will ever learn their lesson when they face pitchers like Sims. He was able to go six innings and only give up three hits while walking two and striking out four. The final score was 4-0. If they had scored like other teams did in his previous games the Mariners would have scored at least three runs and would have been in the game. Whatever the problem is they need to learn to play better in these games.

The Mariners had another poor game of fielding as well. James Pazos who pitched an inning and a third along with Danny Altavilla who was brought up to replace Tony Zych who went on the disabled list each gave an unearned run. Oh yes Altavilla got in two innings so I am sure he will stick around since no long reliever was used.

The top of the order didn’t produce much in the game. Nelson Cruz who started in right field because of no dh didn’t get a hit at all. Mike Zunino got a couple hits in the bottom of the order however he struck out in the ninth inning with runners on base. I am not sure why the Mariners didn’t pinch hit for him in the game. He has been doing better of late but doesn’t do well with runners on base most of the time. I would recommend hitting for him when runners are on base. On the positive side the Mariners only used three pitchers in the game so most of the bullpen will be rested for Wednesday’s game.

Erasmo Ramirez will be going against former Mariner R.J. Dickey in Wednesday’s game. I don’t have prediction since the game could go either way. It would be nice if the offense can come back alive for the Mariners. We will be rooting for you win the series going into New York over the weekend. Thursday will be a day off so using the bullpen in the best way can happen. I wonder what the guys will be up to on their day off in New York. A lot to do in New York for sure. Go M’s.