Mariners Sweep in Extra Innings

The Seattle Mariners continue to do what they seem has done all season long and that is winning close games with some in extra innings.

Thursday afternoon the game against the Orioles was another tight one. The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer on his return to the lineup after being out with a back injury. The Orioles returned the favor when Machado and Davis each hit solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth to tie 2-2. The game stayed tied into extra innings.

The Mariners made the extra innings not last long scoring two runs in the tenth inning. Dee Gordon reached base on a single then scored on a single by Jean Segura that was bobbled in center field. Gordon himself surprised kept on going when he got the sign from third base coach Scott Brosius.  Segura scored on a hit by Nelson Cruz and then Juan Nicasio came in recorded his first save of the season. You may ask what about Edwin Diaz. Well he had the day off after pitching three straight days. Manager Scott Servais feels that Diaz does his best work when given a day off after pitching three straight days. I am sure he will be back in action Friday night in Seattle if he is needed.

James Pazos was given the win since he pitched the ninth inning. He came in after Nick Vincent pitched the eighth inning after relieving Mike Leake who went for seven innings. Leake gave up five hits including the two home runs in the fourth inning. He walked one batter and struck out six batters. Outside of the two home runs he pitched another outstanding game. You could see he was in control the whole game or at least before and after the fourth inning.

The Mariners now come home for a three game series against the Kansas City Royals who are another team that is struggling this season. They have a record of 25-55 dead last in the American League central division and have won only three games in the last ten games. Like the Orioles they are ripping for the picking. The Mariners who have played well at home with a record of 25-14 should continue the success.

The Mariners have Marco Gonzales going Friday night against Ian Kennedy who has a record of 1-7 with an era of 5.09. Gonzales should be able to get back to his pitching now that he is back in Safeco Field. He did pitch well outside of a couple innings in Fenway Park after having a hard time at Yankee Stadium. He will be followed by Felix Hernandez and James Paxton on Saturday and Sunday. The Mariners have a good chance of sweeping this series too especially if Gonzales does well, Hernandez and Paxton pitch like they did against the Orioles.  

The Mariners will face the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday thru Thursday in a three game series followed by the Colorado Rockies next weekend then they go to Los Angeles and Colorado to face both teams again. These next nine games at home should be exciting to see. Go M’s.