Saturday night the Mariners had another one of those close
games which they are having frequently and probably continue until they are
completely healthy. The game was zero to zero through the fifth inning until
the Twins scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning however Jean Segura
led off with a home run. After Haniger reached base on a walk Nelson Cruz home
run for the Mariners to take a 3-2. It looked like Wade LeBlanc who pitched a
wonderful game would get the victory however the Twins scored a run in the
eighth inning to tie the game. Nick Vincent who got the first two outs along
with walking a batter had to leave the game because of injury was replaced by
James Pazos who gave up two hits that scored a run that was credited to
Vincent.
The score stayed the same until the bottom of the twelfth
when Mike Zunino hit a solo home run to win the game 4-3. Chase Bradford who pitched
the top of the twelfth got the victory. Zunino who had struck out three times
in the game was due to have contact with the ball and so he did with a long
home run that had no doubt. I call him the all or nothing for a nickname.
Fortunately for the Mariners he got it all this time and it was his eighth of
the season.
I wonder how many home runs and doubles that Zunino could
have if he went a whole season being consistent at the plate. The Mariners want
him primarily for his defense and occasional bomb like in this game but having
Zunino hitting .250 or higher for the whole season would be a joy to see. He
would be an all-star for many years. If he isn’t able to hit any higher than
the low two hundreds or like he is right now at .198 the Mariners will need to
bring in another catcher. I would never get rid of Zunino because of his
defense and power as long he performs but having another catcher that can hit
for average would be really nice. I would like someone who bats left handed and
can play first base as well. The unfortunate part though they are hard to find
or I am sure Dipoto would have gotten one of them already. Anyway we will see
what happens but we will enjoy Zunino as he is right now.
The Mariners will look at sweeping the Twins today with Mike
Leake at the mound. After this game they will have seven more games at home
before going on the road. Alex Colome the Mariners picked up along with Denard
Span is supposed to arrive in time for Sunday’s game. With the unknown status
of Nick Vincent injury it is a welcome sight. Jean Segura was hit in the helmet
in the bottom of the eighth inning so his status is unknown after leaving the
game. Gordon Beckham took his spot and Andrew Romine moved over to shortstop.
Denard Span is expected in Seattle on Monday after clearing up some personal
matters. It is amazing to think that when a move is made to improve the team
something else happens as well. Monday the Mariners will take on the struggling
Texas Rangers for a four game series in Seattle. The Mariners will finish the home
stand next weekend with a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Mariners will
go on a six game road trip after that facing the Houston Astros for two games
and the Rays for four. It will be interesting to see where the Mariners record
will be after that. The Mariners right now are eleven games above five hundred
with a record of 31-20. I figured if the Mariners just play one game above five
hundred the rest of the way in the final one hundred and eleven games they will
win 87 games. We can imagine what they will do if they do even better. Go M’s.
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