The Mariners continue to do what the plan is for the season
and that is winning series which they did once again the Toronto.
The opening game of the series James Paxton pitched a
no-hitter the first one of his career along with his first complete game in a
5-0 victory. In game two the Mariners had a 2-1 leading going into the bottom
of the eighth. Juan Nicasio came in the game as the third relief pitcher after
Wade LeBlanc pitched the first five innings giving up one run on four hits. His
one run was a solo home run in the fourth inning. LeBlanc could have gone
longer because he threw only fifty-six pitches however it was only his second
start of the season. Likely he will pitch six innings in his next start if he
pitches like he has.
Nicasio struggled in the eighth inning giving up five hits
and four runs in a third of an inning. Obviously it was his worst outing of the
season though he had trouble early on in April. Unlike before he actually was
throwing the ball hard but was getting the ball right over the plate so he gave
up four straight doubles. We hope that he is able to correct things because it
is important that he pitches in the eighth inning. The Mariners could move Nick
Vincent to the eighth inning or bring in Edwin Diaz earlier but they really don’t
want to do either. So the loss was Nicasio’ s first of the season and the final
score was 5-0.
On social media besides some saying they should get rid of
Nicasio others said that the Mariners just have to win the series so no big
deal. I wrote in saying that is a loser’s mentality. It is not that I am
against winning the series is the goal after the second game it should not be
said. I am fine with saying it when the series is over. Other words I would
rather win the first two games of the series instead of having to count on
winning the third game. Fortunately on Thursday night the Mariners beat Toronto
handedly 9-3. The game started off well with Kyle Seager hitting a grand slam
home run in the first inning. The next four innings the Mariners scored a run
in each inning though they did have a chance to score more runs. Thankfully the
lead was enough they didn’t need to do so. Mike Leake pitched a good game for
the Mariners going seven innings giving up six hits and two runs. He walked one
batter and striking out six. The two
runs for Toronto happened on a home run by Russell Martin in the second inning.
So Toronto didn’t get another run until the bottom of the eighth. What made the
series besides Paxton no-hitter in game one was that the Mariners pitchers only
gave up two home runs in the series which is a big deal because Toronto leads
the American League in hitting home runs and the Mariner pitchers usually give
up home runs.
In this game Kyle Seager hit another home run besides the
grand slam along with hot hitting first baseman Ryon Healy and Mike Zunino.
Healy’s batting average continues to climb and is now at .260. Zunino on the
other hand continues to struggle at the plate when he isn’t hitting home runs
having a batting average of .190. I am sure we would be fine with it long as he
is able to hit home runs when needed. Jean Segura was a hitting machine in the
last two games having seven hits including four in this last game. Segura was
the lead-off hitter in this game as Dee Gordon didn’t play because of a ball
that was hit off his big toe in Wednesday’s game. He was available for pinch
running but the nature of the game it wasn’t necessary. He is expected to be
back in the lineup on Friday night against the Tigers in Detroit.
Marco Gonzales will go to the mound for the Mariners in game
one followed by Felix Hernandez on Saturday and then James Paxton on Sunday.
The Tigers are in third place of the American League Central however they have
a record of 15-21 compared to the Mariners 21-15 record. The Tigers are even at
home with a record of 8-8 which is the same as the Mariners are at home however
the Mariners have a road record of 13-7. This does give the Mariners a good
shot at winning this series at Detroit. Go M’s.
No comments:
Post a Comment