Close Loss For Mariners

The Seattle Mariners opened the series with the Astros in Houston. It is the first series in Houston for the Mariners.

The Mariners ended up losing in ten innings 2-1. These losses are always difficult to stomach because we always think what if they had just a little offense they would have won. Also, the Mariners pitching is such it is important to win these low scoring games as well. Plus it doesn’t help when you are playing another team in the same division.

The Mariners now have a 2-2 record on this road trip. We are hoping they at least win one game in Houston if not the two remaining game. The all-star break is around the corner as well. It will take place right after the Mariners next homestand.

Matt Carasiti made his third appearance this week after being called up from Tacoma and his second opener. He pitched the first inning giving up two hits but not surrendering a run. Sounds like he could be the Mariners opener since he hasn’t given up a run both times in the role; we will probably see him again when it comes for Wade LeBlanc to pitch next week.

Tommy Milone came in the second inning and pitched five innings giving up three hits and no runs. His ERA is now at 2.95 for the Mariners. The Mariners used four relievers. Anthony Bass gave up a home run in the eighth inning for the Astros to tie the game.  Austin Nola starting at first base for the Mariners hit his first career home in the third inning.  The Mariners had only five hits in the game. Nola had another hit as well. Outside of Nola’s home run, the Mariners didn’t have an extra-base hit in the game.

JP Crawford continues his hot hitting having two hits in the game. Besides him and Nola’s two hits, each Dee Gordon had the only other hit for the Mariners.

Yusei Kikuchi starts Saturday for the Mariners. He has struggled as of late so hopefully, he can rebound in this game to give the Mariners a chance to win. Marco Gonzales who has gotten back on his winning ways after having a poor May will be pitching for the Mariners on Sunday. Gonzales will be going for his tenth win on the season; a good sign going into the all-star break.

Friday it was announced that three of the Mariners top prospects will be playing in the Futures game during the all-star break. They are number one prospect Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn, and Evan White. Kelenic and Dunn were a major reason the Mariners traded Edwin Diaz and Robinson Cano was traded to the New York Mets. Those two were among the prospects the Mariners picked up. Right now it looks like the Mariners have made out well in the trade. All three of the prospects look like they will be in Seattle someday. Dunn and White are the closest playing at double-A Arkansas while Kelenic is at high-A Modesto. We probably will see Dunn and White in Seattle probably in September.

The question now will the Mariners make any trades in the next few days or wait until later into July. Knowing Jerry Dipoto both can be true. Stay tuned. Go M’s.