Thursday Night Dee Gordon returned to the Mariners lineup. It was a good start for the Mariners who had lost their last two games. Fortunately the Mariners had done well with Gordon out of the lineup prior to these two games. He is a spark plug that the Mariners need though Jean Segura did well hitting in the leadoff spot. It is amazing that Segura has no problem hitting whether batting leadoff or second in lineup. In fact he had another game where he got two more hits and scored three runs. Also he is second behind Mitch Haniger driving in runs.
Anyway in his return Gordon lead off the first inning by hitting a triple that led to the Mariners first score. He wasn't sure whether he was one hundred percent healthy but he still was able to hit a triple. Nelson Cruz hit a home run to give the Mariners a 3-0 in the third inning. It seems now that Cruz bat is healthy even if his body isn't one hundred percent.
The Texas Rangers scored their only run in the game on a home run by Nomar Mazara in the top of the fourth inning off Wade LeBlanc. The Mariners had to go to the bullpen in the sixth inning because LeBlanc ran out of steam because he had flu like symptoms. He was able to at least make it where he could record his first win of the season although he has an era under two in his starts. The bullpen was able to come through with James Pazos pitching the sixth inning. Although he didn't look like his best Pazos gave up two hits but was not able to surrender any runs. He was followed by Juan Nicasio in the seventh inning who struck out two batters without giving up a hit. The Mariners were able to score two more runs in the fifth inning and another in the seventh to secure the win. Besides his two-run homer Cruz was able to drive in another run. With the lead 6-1 going into the eighth inning the Mariners were able to let Chase Bradford pitch the final two inning allowing Alex Colome and Edwin Diaz a day off. In the two inning Bradford gave up two hits but didn't look like he was threaten by the Rangers lineup. He didn't give up a walk and struck out one batter. He is valuable to the Mariners besides having a 1.99 era he is able to give other relievers time off since he can pitch more than one inning.
The Mariners now get to face the Tampa Bay Rays for the weekend after splitting the four games against the Rangers. Mike Leake will pitch in the opening game of the series against Sergio Romo for the Rays. This game will be where the Rays will be going with their bullpen. They don't have a strong starting rotation so they have been starting a reliever in two of their five games. The Mariners though will face the Rays top two pitchers on Saturday and Sunday so it is important that the Mariners will win this game.
Saturday the Mariners will be going with Marco Gonzales who continues to pitch well for them against Chris Archer the ace of the Rays. Archer has a record of 4-4 with an era over four however he pitched six scoreless innings in his last outing on Monday. He is a pitcher that I would like the Mariners to acquire. I wouldn't be surprised if he is on the trading block but I am not sure the Mariners have the resources to get him unless they give up one of their regular players or top prospects. On Sunday the Mariners will face Blake Snell who is local out of Shoreline Washington. He currently has a record of 7-3 with an era of 2.56. He will go against Felix Hernandez who has been struggling of late. Being in front of family and friends I am sure Snell will want to do his best and I am sure he watched Felix pitch while he was a teenager at Safeco Field. We do hope that the Mariners will be able to win two out of the three games of the series. Next weekend the Mariners will face the Rays in Tampa after going to Houston for a two game series. Whatever happens the Mariners will have a good home stand being at 5-2 right now. Go M's.
No comments:
Post a Comment