Mariners Move Into First

 

I am not sure what is the biggest surprise of the season so far that the Mariners are 36-22 and in first place or the pitching of Marco Gonzales. I know that many fans and media alike were surprised by the move the Mariners made late in last season but now it is looking pretty good with Marco Gonzales. If it weren't for Paxton's no-hitter we may think that Gonzales right now is the best starting  pitcher on the Mariners staff. Saturday night Gonzales went six and two-thirds innings before tiring. He gave up a run in the sixth inning and a total of five hits in the outing. He had gone more over twenty-four innings without giving up an earned run. I would say that it is spectacular. The starting pitching outside of Felix Hernandez is one of the reasons the Mariners are in first place. Not only has Gonzales and Paxton been pitching well so has Mike Leake as of late along with Wade LeBlanc who is another surprise. He has been pitching outstanding as well.

 

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dipoto going after another starting pitcher before the trading deadline if the Mariners can make it through this tough schedule in June. The team will show us what they will be made of playing Houston, Tampa Bay, New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox all on the road. Also they will be playing the Red Sox at home as well. At the end of June the schedule be a little bit lighter facing the Baltimore Orioles on the road and the Kansas City Royals at home. If the Mariners can win fifty per cent of those games it will be a good deal going into July. The key will be for the starters to continue pitching well along with an improved bullpen since picking up Alex Colome. The Mariners have improved the outfield picking up Denard Span at the same time with Colome from Tampa Bay. This gives the Mariners a solid outfield along with bullpen. The Mariners mix and match the outfield of Span, Ben Gamel, Guillermo Heredia and Mitch Haniger who looks like a superstar in the making. Now we can hope that Kyle Seager and Mike Zunino can heat up to go with the rest of the lineup.

 

 

Every hitter in the lineup except Heredia got a hit in the game. Mitch Haniger had another outstanding game batting third while getting two hits. Ryon Healy hit the only home run of the game for the Mariners. He could be a key in the lineup for the month of June as well. The importance is for the offense to continue scoring runs consistently along with the starters going at least six innings in each outing. If we can see Felix get straighten out in June that will bring a big lift to the team as well. In a way that will be like picking up another pitcher for the rotation. The Mariners can keep the scores close against the top teams anything can happen as well. As we have seen the Mariners have done well in the close games. Best wishes to a good road trip coming up in Houston and Tampa Bay. Go M's.