Mariners Lose Paxton

Tuesday Night when the Seattle Mariners could use a good win against the Oakland A’s a line drive hit James Paxton on his left arm where he had to leave the game.

The score was tied at one  with one out when A’s Jeb Lowrie hit a ball up the middle that ended up hitting Paxton’s left arm and he had to leave the game. Mitch Haniger led off the game with a double and with two outs was singled home by Nelson Cruz. In the bottom of the first leading off shortstop Marcus Semien hit a home run to tie the game. Paxton was able to get the next batter out however Jeb Lowrie hit the ball that struck Paxton. He went after to retrieve the ball but let it stay on the ground. With the trainer and manager Scott Servais he walked off the field. Later it was learned that Paxton had no broken bone so should be OK however he will likely spent some time on the disable list.

Felix Hernandez came in for Paxton in his first relief in the major leagues. He actually did a fine job. His only mistake was giving up a two-run homer to Lowrie in the third inning. Lowrie was not kind at all for the Mariners Tuesday night. Felix ended up going five and two-third innings giving up five hits with the two runs. Also he walked two batters along with striking out two. Not bad for a guy’s first outing in relief. Unfortunately he was recorded with the loss. Now his record is 8-11. Felix now has lost four games in a row after having a record of 8-7. With Paxton likely going on the disabled list Felix is probably going to step in his spot of the rotation since he had a good outing. Nick Vincent pitched the eighth inning giving up no hits and striking out one. Adam Warren pitched the eighth inning giving up a hit, a walk and striking out one without giving up a run.

With Paxton out for the near future the Mariners will likely add a reliever to the roster. The most likely one will be Chasen Bradford who was sent down several days ago.

Besides Mitch Haniger’s double and Cruz rbi the only other run the Mariners had was a home run by Cameron Maybin which was his first with the Mariners. So far the Mariners hitting hasn’t been good in this series against the A’s. Actually they have had hits but unable to drive in many runs. Again the Mariners were in a one run game against the A’s and again they lost.

Mike Leake will go for the Mariners in today’s afternoon finally of this series against the A’s. He has an era of under three against the A’s this year and he will face off against lefty Brett Anderson who has a history of doing very well against the Mariners. We hope that the Mariners bats can come alive on Wednesday. It comes to my mind that if the Mariners lose this game the sweep against the Astros has gone for not since they will be swept by the A’s and loses ground by the three games. The Mariners always seem to get into trouble when they have been in a playoff race the last few years. Most recently they missed out the playoffs by a game. Last year they weren’t in the race because of so many injuries to the starting rotation. Every starter was out a significant amount of time except Ariel Miranda who made every start last season. Now he is pitching in Japan. It is tough when a player like Kyle Seager has an important role on the team and he is having a terrible season. He is getting home runs and driving in runs like in most years. For a while his fielding was outstanding but his fielding has been terrible as of late since he has been back from paternity leave. Robinson Cano started Tuesday night’s game at first base in his return from suspension however he may play some at third as well. Right now Seager is batting .227 and has struck out one hundred times in 117 games but it has been his struggle in the field along with making poor decisions at the plate as well. He isn’t playing the kind of ball a player of his kind should be on a playoff team. If the Mariners don’t make the playoffs again I wouldn’t be surprised if general manager Jerry Dipoto may do something at third base during the off-season. The Mariners need players that can play baseball at playoff level over a course of a season. Go M’s.