The Seattle Mariners were going into Sunday's game to see about sweeping the Tampa Rays and leaving the ten game home stand at 8-2 plus staying in first place in the American League West. All three happened though it wasn't easy that is for sure. Tampa Bay starter Blake Snell who grew up in Shoreline with fans in the stands himself tied a record by striking out the first seven batters of the game. He went onto giving up two hits and striking out twelve batters in six innings. He left the game because he had thrown one hundred pitches and leading 1-0. The Rays scored their lone run in the fourth inning when Daniel Robertson singled and came home on a double by ex-Mariner Brad Miller. The lead stayed that way until the eighth inning when Ryon Healy walked then Andrew Romine pinched run for him. Guillermo Heredia was sacrificing with a bunt that Brad Miller dropped and got an error. Romine was able to get to third base. Denard Span who was facing his former team hit a single to right field that scored Romine. Dee Gordon hit a ball just out of the reach of shortstop Daniel Robertson that scored the final run in the Mariner victory 2-1. Edwin Diaz came in to get his second straight save and the twenty-first of the season.
Felix Hernandez who was able to go eight innings gave up only five hits to go with the one run. Felix was jumping up and down in the dugout when the Mariners scored the two runs to give him the win and makes his record 6-4. We hope this is the new and improved Felix on the mound. One thing for sure Felix still wants to win that is for sure. This could be a strong starting rotation if Felix can pitch on a semi-regular to regular occasion.
The Mariners have Monday off as they make their way to Houston to take on the Astros in two games followed by facing the Rays once again on the road for four games. It would be nice if the Mariners could go 4-2 in these six games. I am sure the Mariners are on a high that they feel that beating the Astros are in the cards however we will see. The Mariners are 17-10 on the road so that is a good sign. It will be important that they continue this way because when returning home they play three games against the Los Angeles Angels followed by four against the Red Sox starting on June 11.
Having Monday off those who are interested the first two rounds of the baseball draft happens. It begins at 6 pm eastern and 3pm pacific time. The Mariners will have the fourteenth overall pick. Tuesday will be rounds three thru ten and then Wednesday will be rounds eleven through forty. The Mariners are looking to continue restocking their minor leagues that has been a weak link the last few years before Dipoto and Servais showed up on the scene. It is important for the Mariners especially the way Dipoto goes in trading for players. I am sure he hasn't gotten some players because the Mariners didn't have the players in the minor leagues to do so. The Mariners will likely draft a college player in the first round. It could be a pitcher or outfielder depending who is available at the time. One thing we know the top ten rounds will likely be made up of a lot of pitchers. The Mariners could go for a catcher and shortstop in those ten rounds as well since they could use both especially a catcher. It always takes a few years to see how the team will do in the draft.
I am sure some of us will be interested to see what happens in the draft. The Mariners could use a few of them from the last couple drafts on the major league roster however we do know that Dipoto won't stop getting players that he knows could help bolster the club. Dipoto and Servais are both on the last year of their contacts. I am sure the performance of the team we should be hearing soon that they both signed to new contracts. Whether you agree with their performance or not it is important that the Mariners keep a stable organization. In the meantime Mariners let's the wins keep coming along. Go M's.
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