Mariners Lose Game and Series

I don’t know really what to say after this series against the Dodgers. Sounds like the Mariners can’t handle teams that have more fans in Safeco than they do. The series against the Blue Jays was terrible. This happened after going 6-4 on the latest road trip including sweeping the Astros. The Mariners almost were swept in this series only to win Saturday night in part because of a balk. They may have won anyway but we don’t know for sure.

Friday’s game was a sure embarrassment and Sunday was the same. I am not sure whether the players really care right now or not. It didn’t help that the Mariners decided to go with Elias and rest Gonzales for a couple extra days. I don’t mind resting Gonzales but the Mariners should have had a better solution than Elias. At this point he isn’t even a sixth starter or possibly a long reliever. He gave up five runs in the first inning after having two outs. On the radio broadcast Ryan Rowland-Smith says that he has an outstanding curve ball. He should have thrown it more or maybe it wasn’t working either. Whatever the case pitchers need to go with their best pitches instead of relying on ones they are not good at.

The Mariners were facing Kershaw so the chances of winning were low thought they did a good job against the Astros pitchers so the possibility was there. Some reason the team didn’t show up for this series. If you don’t know the Mariners lost 12-1. Elias went three innings giving up the five runs so the remaining seven runs were given up by the bullpen. Chase Bradford who returned to the team came in for Elias pitched three innings giving up three runs with two being earned. Matt Festa who was promoted from double A Arkansas went two innings giving up a run on three hits and then utility player Andrew Romine pitched again going one inning giving up three hits that included a three-run homer in the top of the ninth. The only good thing about this game was that the rest of bullpen were rested and didn’t have to pitch. Would not be surprised if a couple more moves are made in the bullpen going into Monday night’s game against Houston; the Astros beat the A’s so they are back in first place after being tied for a day. The Mariners are now 4.5 games behind the Astros. I am sure the Astros are looking for payback but I hope that the Mariners can rebound and become closer to the Astros and the A’s. We will see what they are made of.

News came out after the game that Guillermo Heredia is being optioned to Tacoma and Ben Gamel is returning because the Mariners are facing several right handers in a row. I hope that Gamel will help put a spark into the team. Go M’s.