Mariners Split Series

Wednesday afternoon the Seattle Mariners took on the San Francisco Giants in the second of two games before a sellout crowd at Safeco Field. A great day to go with the temperatures in the high eighties. 

The Mariners offense again struggled except the bat of Ryon Healy who had another home run. I was thinking during the game with a crowd that big wouldn't the players be motivated to hit more to entertain the crowd. If so the motivation didn't turn into hits though they score three runs on four hits. 

It was nice to see Mike Leake back to his old self where he was able to go six and a third innings. He gave up four hits with the two runs and didn't walk a batter while striking out two. Juan Nicasio came in to relieve Leake in the seventh inning. He gave up a hit in two-thirds of an inning. Actually the hit went to Leake's second run given up.  I am not sure why the Mariners are still using Nicasio to pitch in the seventh inning although Nick Vincent doesn't seem to be a very good alternative either. Chasen Bradford seems to be the logical choice to me but that isn't the role they have him at this time. I know that Dipoto is looking to pick up another reliever along with a starter. I hope that finding another reliever he will be one that can pitch in either the seventh or eighth inning. 

Alex Colome pitched the eighth inning and was recorded with the victory. He gave up a hit however struck out a batter as well. The bottom of the eighth inning with the tie at 2-2 Guillermo Heredia led off taking a walk. He was sacrificed to second by Dee Gordon who was initially called safe by the umpire but was overturned when the Giants asked for the replay. Jean the hitting machine Segura though was able to hit a single to bring Heredia home and that was the ball game. Although he has struggled at the plate since becoming a starter in centerfield what I like about Heredia is he has no problem in taking a walk when it is good for the team. I wish more of the players were willing to do so like Heredia. He knew getting a walk was as good as a single. Along with Gordon and Segura he is a good bunter as well. He is able to do the fundamentals to help win games.

The Oakland A's won again over the Texas Rangers so they are still a game and a half behind the Mariners. Both teams gained on the Astros though who lost on Wednesday. The Mariners now go to Anaheim to take a three game series against the Angels over the weekend before returning home to play the Houston Astros.  The Mariners play the Astros and the A's twenty-six times combined in their remaining sixty games on the season. We are hoping that the Mariners will be able to pick up some pitching either starting or relieving or both along with the increase of production from the offense. Whatever happens baseball will be exciting over the next five weeks for sure. Go M's.