Mike Leake Makes Friday Almost Perfect Night

In my last post, I said it would be nice if the Mariners could end the losing streak by beating the Angels at least once so Mike Leake took care of it in the first game of the series.

Going into the 9^th inning Leake was pitching a perfect game. We know it isn’t an easy accomplishment to do. The last one was by Felix Hernandez on August 15, 2012. I remember where I was at on that day. I was working. Someone came by to tell me Felix was pitching a no-hitter. He didn’t say it was a perfect game but was a nice surprise to find out later.

Mike Leake ended the perfect game by giving up a single to right field to 2^nd baseman Luis Rengifo. He walked the next batter catcher Kevan Smith. The Mariners were leading 10-0 with no outs so there was no question they would win the game but whether Leake could preserve the shout out and end with a complete game. He was able to with the next batter Matt Thaiss grounding out followed by leadoff hitter Brian Goodwin popping up in the infield. The third out would be the toughest one with Mike Trout coming to the plate, however, Leake was able to rise to the occasion to strike him out to preserve the shoutout.

You wonder what feeling Leake had going into the top of the 9^th inning and then after by giving up the single. I am sure disappointment and relief at the same time.

How did the Mariners score the ten runs they did in this game? Though Leake was pitching a perfect game the score was tied at 0-0 going into the bottom of the 4^th inning. With two runners on base Dan Vogelbach hit his first of two home runs in the game to take the lead 3-0. Omar Narvaez dhing hit a single followed by a double by Kyle Seager then catcher Tom Murphy had a single driving in both of them. It may have been a double but a great throw by Kole Calhoun from right field got Murphy trying to stretch it into a double. So the Mariners led 5-0.

In the fifth inning, Vogelbach hit his second home run to make it 8-0. The Mariners finished the scoring in the sixth inning when JP Crawford hit a double to drive in Dee Gordon and Mallex Smith. Dan Vogelbach did have an opportunity to hit his third two-run homer but the ball was caught at the warning track. Along with Leake’s almost perfect game, it would have been a sight to see Vogelbach hitting another three-run homer. Also, no Mariner has driven in nine runs in the game either.

There was talk before the game with the trading deadline looming that no team had any interest in trading for Mike Leake. I am sure this game increased his value. I am sure everyone is thinking what a way to go out if this was the last game he pitches for the Mariners. Whether he leaves or stays we thank you, Mike Leake, in pitching one of the top games in Mariner history.

No pitcher has been announced for Saturday night’s game for the Mariners yet. Wade LeBlanc could start like he did in his last outing or come in after the opener. Not sure who the opener would be either. Erik Swanson recently called up was the opener on Wednesday in the loss to the A’s in Oakland.

So let’s relax and enjoy Saturday night’s game whether the Mariners win the game or another loss comes our way. Go M’s.