Mariners Lose Another Series

It is never easy to see a team to lose a series however at least it wasn’t at home so can always turn off the television or in this case Facebook. Yes those of you who are outside the Mariner market and can’t see their games most of the time were able to do so on Wednesday.

Again they lost a series to a team that is under five hundred for the second time in a row. In fact the Texas Rangers are now 51-65. The reason the Rangers do win is because of the offense. Every starting pitcher on the Rangers has an era over four and several above five. Yovani Gallardo who started last year for the Mariners with a record of 5-10 has a higher era this year over six in eight appearances pitched today against the Mariners. He now has a record of 6-1 for the Rangers only because the Rangers are scoring a lot of runs for him just like in this game where the final score was 11-7.

 Could you imagine if the Rangers had pitching like they do their offense? They have six hitters that are batting over .270 and their lowest batting average hitter Joey Gallo who is hitting only .202 hits them when they count as he has thirty-one home runs along with 71 runs batted in that leads the Rangers and is second in total bases. So to beat the Rangers you have to out slug them which the Mariners were unable to do so in this series.

Catcher Mike Zunino continues to be hot lately hitting two home runs in the game however they were both solo. The first home run in the fifth inning made the score 5-2 which could have helped the Mariners out however the Rangers scored two more in the bottom of the fifth and his second homer was in the ninth inning when the Rangers were up 11-2 before the hit. Although it helped out in a manner of speaking hope that he can save some home runs when the Mariners really need it.

Marco Gonzales who has been the Mariners most consistent pitcher with the most wins with twelve had a terrible outing and I expect heat had something to do with it. He was only able to go five innings giving up twelve hits and allowed seven runs. Even with giving up so many runs his era is still at 3.79. He didn’t walk a batter but only struck out three batters and giving up two home runs.

Sam Tuivailala who the Mariners acquired about two weeks ago from the St. Louis Cardinals came in for Gonzales however he strained his Achilles tendon  and was sent back to Seattle for x-rays and will go on the ten day disabled list. The Mariners will bring up a pitcher from Tacoma most likely to replace him while at the same time Jerry Dipoto will look at the waiver wire to see who may be available to acquire. Look forward to see you again Sam when you are up and ready to go. Ryon Healy had to leave the game as well because of the heat.

Now the Mariners go to Houston to take on the division leading Astros in a four game series. It would be nice to see the Mariners at least split the series. Thursday should be the most exciting game since James Paxton will go for the Mariners while Justin Verlander goes for the Astros. The last series in Seattle the Mariners didn’t have to face Verlander. We hope that the Mariners offense can come to life in the game.

Manager Scott Servais has talked about moving Dee Gordon out of the leadoff spot. Gordon again went hitless in Wednesday’s game. The Mariners facing Verlander could move Denard Span into the leadoff spot or he may decide to wait until Robinson Cano comes back next Tuesday to be put in the third spot. Segura likely be moved to the leadoff spot when the Mariners face a lefty and move Gordon down to ninth in the order. It isn’t new for Gordon since he batted ninth several times last year for the Miami Marlins. Whatever the case we know that the Mariners offense has to come alive if they have any chance to make the playoffs; right now the Mariners are two and half games behind the Oakland A’s. Next Tuesday the Mariners will start a three game series in Oakland so it would be nice if the Mariners could still be at the same spot or better when they go against them. The Mariners have a pretty good record of late playing in Oakland so it would be nice to sweep the A’s there. Go M’s.