Sunday was another tough afternoon for the Mariners losing again and being swept by the Boston Red Sox 11-2. In the three-game series, the Mariners were outscored 34-8. It was no wonder they had to have more help in the bullpen which didn't help at all really.
Marco Gonzales started going four innings giving up four runs on four hits. Only two runs were earned which isn't much more impressive. It rained the whole game so giving him some slack walking three batters. It was a good idea to get him out of the game with the weather conditions. All the Mariners needed was having Gonzales getting hurt.
Parker Markel called up on Saturday having to travel from Sea-Tac airport to Las Vegas then Atlanta then Boston arriving after 2 am along with being nervous on his major league debut gave up three hits and two runs in one inning replacing Gonzales.
Dan Altavilla who returned to Seattle from double-A Arkansas didn't do as well as Markel. Altavilla threw 31 pitches in a third of an inning giving up three runs on one hit. What made it worse he walked four batters.
Monday I expect at least one transaction by the Mariners. Braden Bishop was optioned back to Tacoma so the Mariners don't have a fourth outfielder though they could put Shed Long or Tim Beckham in the outfield if necessary so I expect Mallex Smith will return and Altavilla returning to the minor leagues. I expect Markel will be around for a few more days anyway.
The Mariners will need to make a move when Felix Hernandez turn comes up again on Thursday. Since Felix went on the IL the Mariners will have to bring in another starter. The choice likely will be Wade LeBlanc coming off the injured list.
The Mariners are now 20-23, third place in the AL West a half-game behind the Los Angeles Angels and seven games behind division-leading Houston Astros. Amazing a change can happen after going 2-8 on the road trip.
The Mariners have had good success against teams with losing records. It may be a good thing they play 13 of their next 17 games against losing teams. All 13 games are against division foes so this could be good for them.
The only team with a winning record is Minnesota Twins who they play four games against this coming Thursday thru Sunday. The Mariners first face Oakland for two then has Wednesday off which is what they need.
I hope the Mariners can win at least ten of the next seventeen games. It will take the offense to come alive again and the pitching is decent if not spectacular. The starters will need to go at least six innings each so the bullpen doesn't have to go too many innings.
We hope to see some good baseball for the rest of May. Go M's.
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