The Seattle Mariners continue to do well against teams with losing records. A good start at home after having a terrible road trip going 2-8. The final Tuesday Mariners 4 A's 3.
The Mariners scored all four runs via the long ball. The scoring started in the 2nd inning with Daniel Vogelbach hitting his 11 home run of the season then Tim Beckham hit his 8th.
The Oakland A's tied the game in the top of the fifth on what was charged an error on a throw by Tim Beckham in the dirt. In my opinion, Edwin Encarnacion should have made the play. The Mariners took the lead for good in the bottom of the 5th when Mitch Haniger hit a two-run homer. The A's scored their third run in the top of the 7th inning.
Mike Leake pitched a good game going six and two-thirds innings. He gave up only one earned run. The other two were on the throw from Beckham to Encarnacion. Leake walked one batter while striking out six.
Roenis Elias recorded the save going two and one-third innings. He recorded his fifth save on the season. He struck out five of the eight batters he faced. Had one walk and no hits. Good job being in the game with a one-run lead. Elias is showing he can be the guy to pitch in closing situations especially when pitching more than one inning.
The Mariners have Wednesday off before facing the Minnesota Twins at home in a four-game series Thursday thru Sunday.
Erik Swanson is scheduled to pitch on Thursday against the Twins. Hopefully he will rebound after a poor performance in his last outing. The rest of the starting pitchers haven't been determined for the series against the Twins. With the off-day Wednesday, I would go with Marco Gonzales because it is his regular days having four days of rest. Manager Scott Servais may decide to go with someone else to give Gonzales and the rest of the starters an extra day off.
Wade LeBlanc is expected to return to the rotation with Felix out. He is eligible to come off the injured list. He made a start with Tacoma on a rehab assignment on Monday so with normal days of rest he could start on Saturday. I am not sure whether the Mariners will wait until Sunday to pitch LeBlanc because if Gonzales does pitch on Friday then Kikuchi on Saturday the Mariners would pitch three lefties in a row.
The news came out that Felix Hernandez will be out between four and six weeks because of his shoulder. It could have been worse so OK sign.
No news yet when Mallex Smith will return to the Mariners. He didn't play on Tuesday for the Tacoma Rainiers. The Mariners right now have three outfielders with Domingo Santana, Mitch Haniger, and Jay Bruce. Right now they would have to use either or both Tim Beckham or Shed Long in the outfield.
Jay Bruce continues to struggle at the plate. He struck out all four appearances in the game on Tuesday night. He seems to only hit home runs these days. The Mariners have liability in the outfield so far as defense goes. Santana is OK at best in left field. Haniger is OK in center though he is best in right field and Bruce is OK at best in right field as well. Not a good sign at all.
Kyle Seager made his first appearance with the Tacoma Rainiers Tuesday being designated hitter on a rehab assignment. He is scheduled to come off the injured list on May 25. It will be interesting to see what the Mariners do on his return. Who will go and what happens at first base. Will Ryon Healy be sent to the minors or will he be back at first regular or coming off the bench. Interesting to follow this story. Go M's.
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