Besides losing the first three games to the Minnesota Twins we were not able to see Nelson Cruz return to town to play. By the way, I wasn't feeling well beyond watching the Mariners so why no post on Sunday in the loss 18-4.
Losing three of the four games the Mariners are now in last place in the AL West Division. Had they split the series or won three out of the four games they would be in second place. At least the good point they play the Texas Rangers and the Oakland As before returning home against the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros. I am hoping they will win the majority games before facing the Astros.
Most of the wins this season have been against the teams under .500 and losses to those who are winning so I am not totally surprised they lost three out of four to the Twins. It would have been nice on Saturday night to have a blow out game. I wonder how many of the 34,000 plus fans will return again this season. My recommendation is to go to a game when they are facing a lousy team if you want to see a win. If you don't care than any team is good to see in Seattle.
I see coming up in June the Mariners play the Astros seven times. A four-game series in Seattle at the beginning of the month and end with three in Houston. I figure if the Mariners can win three games it will be good. They play the Twins in Minnesota in the middle of the month. Also, play the Kansas City Royals and the Baltimore Orioles so they should be at least even for the month of June. So they might be back in second place rolling into July.
Sunday Yusei Kikuchi pitched a good game against the Twins. The Mariners needed him to go six innings at least and that is what he did. Kikuchi hardest inning was the fifth when he gave up three runs. Only one of them was earned primarily of a throw he makes that was not on the mark. He picked up a slow grounder and rushed the throw to try to get the batter at first.
Kikuchi is now 3-1 with an era of 3.43. Good for a starting pitcher. It means that he is getting quality starts most of the time he is pitching. Also, this is his first year in the league. I am looking forward to even better things from him.
After Kikuchi three runs were given up in the fifth inning, Haniger and Vogelbach each responded with a home run. Edwin Encarnacion hit a home run in the 7th inning.
I hope that Mallex Smith can start hitting to go along with Dee Gordon so the Mariners can score some runs playing small ball too. Can't win on the long ball only.
Mike Leake will be going on Monday in Texas while Tuesday the starter hasn't announced as of yet and Wednesday Gonzales will go. I am hoping the Mariners can win at least two of those games.
I am sure Dipoto will stay busy trying to make the Mariners bullpen better than it has been. On Sunday they used the two best relievers in Brennan and Elias to conserve the win. Unfortunately, they can't pitch every day. Go M's.
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