Mariners Sweep Tigers

It is never easy for a team to sweep another in four games no matter how much better or worse of a team you or they are. We know the Mariners have been struggling after getting off to a 13-2 record but the Tigers have the worst record in the major leagues. This series helped the Mariners for sure. We hope this gives them confidence going on the road to Texas and Houston for five games.

The game for a long time didn’t look like the Mariners would win although the Tigers weren’t accomplishing much themselves. The Tigers scored first having a home run off of Tommy Milone in the fourth inning.  Milone came in the game in the third inning after Matt Wisler went the first two innings. Wisler had a good time being the opener going two innings without giving up a hit or a walk while striking out two.

Milone gave up one other run in the fifth inning. He went five innings all together giving up six hits along with the two runs, one walk and five strikeouts.

The Mariners had a hard time getting anything done on the Detroit Tiger starter and Mercer Island’s own Matthew Boyd. The Mariners finally were able to score a run on him after a hit by Tim Beckham and a double by Kyle Seager to make the score 2-1 Tigers. Boyd walked three batters in six and one-thirds innings; however, he struck out ten Mariners.

Hunter Strickland made his first appearance out of the Mariners’ bullpen since he went on the injured list on March 30. He gave up no runs or hits throwing nine pitches in his one inning in the eighth inning.

Strickland was followed by Anthony Bass and Roenis Elias who neither gave up a run.

Domingo Santana hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game. The game went into extra innings. Dylan Moore entered the game late replacing Kristopher Negron after he was pinch-hit by Omar Narvaez.  Moore hit a double then JP Crawford hit a ball dropping in between the Tigers’ center fielder, right fielder, and second baseman. Moore scored all the way from second after having to wait to see whether the ball would drop. Actually, he didn’t wait but he did feel the ball would go down for a hit. So Crawford went away with a walk-off single. It was the second walk-off hit in the series.

The news came out after the game Kristopher Negron had been traded. He was excited and the Mariner players gave him hugs to give him a sendoff. At the time Negron didn’t say where he was going. It wasn’t until later when the news came down.

The Mariners had to make a move since they had acquired outfielder Keon Broxton on waivers from the Baltimore on Saturday. The Mariners made the trade of Negron to the Los Angeles Dodgers officially in late Sunday night. The Mariners received minor league infielder Daniel Castro from the Dodgers. He will be reporting to Tacoma. This was a good deal for Negron going to the Dodgers who are likely to make the playoffs. Playing in the national league will give him additional time on the field. The Dodgers often use utility players. We wish Negron the very best.

We should expect Broxton will be activated before Tuesday’s game in Arlington, Texas.  Mike Leake is scheduled to start Tuesday’s game against the Rangers in Arlington. The question will he actually make the start or be traded beforehand or be traded after the start or not be traded at all. Stay tuned for the next three days to see what may happen before the deadline.  We expect Dipoto should make another move before the trading deadline on Wednesday; however, he did say last week something may not happen either depending on what happens in any talks. Go M’s.