Mariners Take Opening Game On Road

The Mariners started off the game on Friday in Arlington Texas against the Rangers with Robinson Cano driving in Dee Gordon in the first inning. The Rangers made a couple outstanding plays in the field included the one that Gordon scored. The Mariners should have had at least a couple runs. They had other opportunities to while Felix Hernandez pitched another outstanding game into the sixth inning. In the sixth inning the Rangers scored their two runs with Sin Soo Choo hitting a double and then came home on a hit by right fielder Nomar Mazara who also scored the second run on a hit by left fielder Joey Gallo to take the lead 2-1. It looked like the lead would stand until Mitch Haniger hit his fifth home run of the season in the top of the eighth inning to tie the score.

Nick Vincent pitched an outstanding inning and an third striking out all four batters after coming in for scrabble who struggled once again who gave up a hit after replacing Felix. Juan Nicasio struggles again in the eighth inning giving up a hit however got out of a jam but finished with a stiff arm. Have to find out how he is doing now and whether he will have to take a few days off or he is injured?

The Mariners though took care of the Rangers in the top of the ninth scoring four runs. The rally started off with Daniel Vogelbach singled then Andrew Romine who pinched run took second on a sacrifice bunt by left fielder Guillermo Heredia. Romine took third on a Gordon single and Jean Segura who had three hits in the game drove both of them in with a double to make the score 4-2. Seager and Haniger each drove in a run to make the final score 6-2. Edwin Diaz came in to seal the game walking a batter but striking out to end the game.

Saturday’s game will be a matchup between James Paxton against Bartolo Colon who pitched a perfect game for the Rangers in his last outing through seven innings. The Rangers beat the Houston Astros in extra innings in that game. We will have to see how the Mariners will do against Colon in this game.

On Friday night’s game I thought the Mariners were thinking that they were facing the Astros still. Nelson Cruz got a couple hits and was robbed of another by an outstanding diving catch by center fielder Drew Robinson. Cruz though looked he was struggling at the plate at times though. I hope that this is over with because the Mariners can use his bat in the lineup.

Mike Zunino made his debut of the season in the game after being activated off the disabled list and playing a few games on rehab assignment. He caught a good game like usual however he didn’t get a hit in five at bats and struck out four times leaving six batters on base. It could take Zunino a few games to get his timing back. David Freitas is the backup catcher as Mike Marjama was sent down to Tacoma.

Sunday the Mariners will have the fifth starter going once again this time against the Rangers. Erasmo Ramirez is expected to make his season debut after Ariel Miranda was sent back down to Tacoma. I am sure we won’t see the last of Miranda.