LeBlanc Loss

The Seattle Mariners lost to the Blue Jays in Toronto 7-3. Matt Wisler started the game as the opener than Wade LeBlanc went the rest of the way giving up seven runs on eleven hits, walked one, struck out three, and gives up four home runs.

The Mariners continue giving up home runs. They have given up 211 home runs on the season compared hitting 192. Not a significant difference, however, the Mariners are second in the major leagues in giving up home runs. Only the Baltimore Orioles have given up more at 252. The Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees are tied at third with 202. The only other team giving up at least two hundred home runs is the Philadelphia Phillies. The only team in the National League hitting home runs frequently which shows how bad they are since they don’t use the DH except on the road in inter-league games.

The Mariners had LeBlanc go seven innings because they plan to go Saturday afternoon with relievers only. This spot is the first time since the training deadline when they traded Mike Leake to the Arizona Diamondbacks they have to need a 5^th starter because of the number of off-days they have had.  The Mariners plan to start Reggie McClain in the game. He has gone three innings then two in his last two relief appearances so he likely will do the same. How many relievers the Mariners use in this game I am not really sure.

No player had no more than one hit in this game for the Mariners; Tim Lopes who has been hitting good so far drove in the Mariners first two runs in the second inning. The hit brought in Kyle Seager who continues to hit and Dan Vogelbach who walked. The Mariners final run didn’t score until the eighth inning when Dee Gordon hit a triple then Mallex Smith hit a single with two outs.

News is Felix Hernandez is supposed to make his next rehab assignment with the Tacoma Rainiers. Also, Mitch Haniger is expected to play for the Rainiers as well since they are currently at home. Felix might make a start for the Mariners soon, while Haniger will probably stay on with the Rainiers for a while since he has been out for some time, and it is like being in spring training again.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Haniger and Braden Bishop are not activated to the Mariner roster until the September call ups unless an injury occurs to someone on the roster right now. 

The Mariners will be moving on to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays for the final of this road trip for three games before returning home next weekend to take on the Blue Jays. We hope Mariner fans are packing the park instead of letting the Blue Jays pack it out.  Go M’s.