Another Terrible Start

The Mariners continue having bad first innings and it happened again on Saturday. It started with two outs when Shohei Ohtani picked up an infield hit beating a throw from second baseman Shed Long. Albert Pujols hit a double over the head of Kyle Seager into left field. Catcher Kevan Smith hit a blooper into right-center to score Ohtani and Pujols. Smith ended up scoring because of an error. 

Ohtani had the best of his countryman Yusei Kikuchi who lasted only three and third innings. Besides the infield hit Ohtani had a home run off of Kikuchi which chased him. It was the third home run in a row off of Kikuchi as leadoff hitter La Stella and Mike Trout had home runs ahead of him. 

Kikuchi leaving the game in the fourth inning the Angels were leading 7-2. Kyle Seager hit a home run in the top of the second inning and the Mariners scored another run in the third inning. This again was another poor outing by Kikuchi not having his best stuff once again but can't put all the blame on him because of the errors.

Tayler Scott making his major league debut, being called up from Tacoma, the first South-African ever to pitch in the major leagues had tough going as well. He went two and two-thirds innings giving up three runs on four hits. Though it wasn't the debut he would have liked, he did strike out four angels and walked only one. His fastball reached the mid-90s. He did look like he could be a good reliever for the Mariners over time. Not sure whether he will stick around when Dee Gordon is expected to be activated on Tuesday from the injured list or not but I expect it won't be last we see of him either.

Jesse Biddle who the Mariners acquired a couple weeks ago from the Atlanta Braves didn't fare so well either. He went two innings giving up two runs on three hits including a two-run homer. 

We do hope things change around on Sunday. Wade LeBlanc is expected to pitch, however, he may not start the game and come in the second inning instead. Not sure who will start the game instead. Since the Mariners only had two relievers in Saturday's game it could be anyone. 

The final score ended up being 12-3. The game was closer than the score indicated that is for sure. The defense and pitching need to be better than it has been. It will continue to be a long season without changes. Probably will be since we will see trades happening before the deadline at the end of July. It will be interesting to see who stays well as those that leave. Go M's.