The Seattle Mariners have finished playing two exhibition
games in Tokyo against the Yomiuri Giants. They won both games. On Saturday
night Seattle time, they beat the Giants 6-4.
Mike Leake started the game for the Mariners going five
innings giving up three runs on three hits. Cory Gearrin, Zach Rosscup, and
Hunter Strickland each went an inning without giving up a run. Roenis Elias pitched
the ninth giving up a run on two hits.
The Mariners were behind 3-1 into the seventh inning when
Mitch Haniger and Jay Bruce each hit a home run with a runner on base going
ahead 5-3. Dee Gordon showed power in the eighth inning by hitting a solo home
run. So the Mariners scored five of their six runs by the long ball.
On Monday the Mariners beat the Giants 6-5. Felix Hernandez
started and struggled once again giving up five runs on four hits with three
walks in four innings. Again the bullpen did their job to keep the Mariners in
the game before Mitch Haniger hit his second home run in as many games with one
runner base. Catcher David Freitas hit a home run in the eighth inning.
Ichiro started both games in right field and is expected to
do so on Wednesday against the Oakland A’s in the season opener in Japan. He
made a good throw in the game however didn’t have a hit in either game. Braden
Bishop replaced Ichiro in both games as well. He made three plate appearances
each in both games. According to manager Scott Servais will start in right
field in the opener as well. No one is expecting him to be on the roster when
the Mariners return home to Seattle and the roster goes down from 28 to 25. No
one knows whether he will announce his retirement or not at the time. He did
make a good throw where a runner did not go to third base. He still has a good
arm though.
Brandon Brennan, Nick Rumbelow, Dan Altavilla, Matt Festa,
and Chasen Bradford all went an inning without giving up a run. Rumbelow was
the only one to give up a hit while Altavilla was the only one to walk a
batter. Most likely one of those five relievers will not be on the 25-man
roster when returning to Seattle.
Outside of Hunter Strickland beginning as the closer and Zac
Rosscup as the lefty specialist everyone else’s roles is not defined at this
time in the bullpen. I am sure it will take a few weeks before that will
happen.
There is talk right now that Kyle Seager could be out until
June. Ryon Healy will start out the season starting at third base, however, we
will probably see utility player Dylan Moore playing they're some too. This will
mean Edwin Encarnacion, Jay Bruce, Daniel Vogelbach will share first base and
designated hitter. If Mallex Smith is able to start in center field when the
Mariners return home than Jay Bruce will be the fourth outfielder as well; we
should know his status in a few days.
Seeing Daniel Vogelbach at first base and dh we will see
whether he is able to hit on a regular basis. We do know he will get his home
runs but whether he will hit around .200 or higher we will see. He likely will
start against right-handers only. I am sure Servais will see how he handles
lefties as well on occasion.
With Felix Hernandez still struggling on the mound it will be
interesting to see how long the Mariners will go with him in the starting
rotation. If he does continue on the same path will they send him to the
bullpen, put him on the injured list, or release him. Another question we will
see possibly soon. I think it may depend on how the rest of the starting
rotation does as well?
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