Tuesday, July 31, 2018

James Paxton Returns in Great Fashion

The last time that James Paxton it had been eighteen days and he had to leave the game because of a stiff back. He was supposed to have started again last Tuesday however the back stiffen again on him.  Monday night he didn't look like anyone one who had gone eighteen days without pitching.

Monday night's game looked like whichever team scored first would win the game and that is what happened.  While James Paxton went seven innings giving up three hits only walking no batters and striking out eight the Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole was throwing a no-hitter going into the sixth inning. His fastball was up to almost a hundred miles an hour just a little faster than Paxton's however in the sixth inning Jean Segura got the first hit of the game followed by another single by Denard  Span then Nelson Cruz hit a double down the third base line that scored both Segura and Span to make it 2-0 which turned out to be the final score. With the win the Mariners are now three games behind the Astros. The Oakland A's won once so they are still two games behind the Mariners. A very tight race indeed for the division and a wild card. Alex Colome pitched the eighth inning for the Mariners while he struggled a bit he at least didn't surrender a run. Edwin Diaz recorded his fortieth save of the season. Though he didn't strike out a batter he threw only seven pitches to get all three Astro players in a row.  Tuesday night Mike Leake goes for the Mariners and Wednesday afternoon Wade LeBlanc. These two games should be close as well however Leake and LeBlanc pitch like they did in their two last outings the Mariners have a great chance to win. It will be a good series if the Mariners can at least split these two games before facing the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday night thru Sunday afternoon. Should be a lot of excitement at Safeco Field.

The Mariners picked up two new relievers in trades on Monday acquiring left handed reliever specialist Zach Duke from the Minnesota Twins for a couple of minor leaguers and righthanded reliever  Adam Warren from the New York Yankees for international slot money. Dipoto isn't sure if he can pick up a starting pitcher on Tuesday with the trading deadline ending at 1pm Pacific Time. The Mariners actually can still go for trades in August however the players have to go through waivers first. The Mariners picked up Mike Leake that way last year. We will see if Dipoto is done trading and who Duke and Warren will take two players spots. Go M's. 

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