Marco Gonzales and Bullpen Shut Out Pirates

This is a good way for the Mariners to start this six-game road trip by blanking the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-0.  The Pirates only two more victories on the season than the Mariners; also, in common with the Mariners they are dead last in their division.

Marco Gonzales went seven innings for the Mariners giving up only six hits; he didn’t walk a batter and struck out four. Gonzales isn’t known for throwing the ball hard like former Mariner Jamie Moyer. Gonzales like many pitchers this season has had problems getting out of the game early. When he is successful early most likely he will have a game like this. Also, like other pitchers, he does give up his fair share of home runs as well. He now has won 16 games going with 11 losses. Not bad for a team that is losing more than winning. He is the ace of the team though he is more situated as the second or third starter on the team.

Austin Nola who had troubles recently; like he usually does find a way out had three hits in this game. He was one hit away from getting the cycle.  All he needed to do hit a triple. Not an easy task since he isn’t a fast runner. Also, Narvaez had three hits in the game. Both Narvaez and Nola had home runs in the sixth inning. The Mariners had only scored two runs before the sixth inning so this made the score 4-0. The Mariners scored two more runs in the seventh inning including a home run from rookie Shed Long. It was Long’s fourth home run in his short period of time on the Mariners.

The Mariners are hoping to use Shed Long next year in the super-utility role. If you want to know what super-utility role is it is where a player plays almost every day like a regular but plays multiple positions. Right now the Mariners have been playing Long a lot in left field though second base is what he has been used to playing.

At Tacoma in his limited time there before being put on the injured list where he was for two months until the end of August he played second, third and left field. Whether super-utility role will actually happen may depend on whether the Mariners trade second baseman Dee Gordon during the off-season or not.  Far as position players go Gordon and Kyle Seager are the last two remaining ones with high contracts. Seager will be harder to trade because of his high contract but the way he has hit in August where he batted .323 with nine of his 22 home runs hit. He hasn’t done as well in September batting only .192 though he has four home runs.

Dee Gordon has had a solid season batting right now at .276 along with 22 stolen bases. His best month was July before he went on the injured list on July 23 for a left quad sprain. He was batting .341. He batted .250 in his return in August and has hit .293 for September. He is still a solid defensive player at second base with eight errors on the season. Last year he had 10 errors at second base after returning from center field when Robinson Cano was hurt then suspended for 80 games.

It is hard to know what general manager Jerry Dipoto feeling is about trading either Gordon or Seager but I am sure he has thought about it and I am sure there have been teams who have spoken to Dipoto about both even if it has been only been casual.

The Mariners reactivated Domingo Santana off the injured list. He pinch hit for Marco Gonzales in the eighth inning grounding into a double play since the Mariners are in a National League park there is no designated hitter. I wish they would change things around and use American League rules in NL Parks when playing inter-league games and NL rules in American League parks.  Home field isn’t as much a home advantage as in other sports though there are some places that do have an advantage but I am sure it depends on the season.

We may see Santana continue pinch-hitting in this series than on Friday taking on the Orioles in Baltimore they will have the designated hitter back and likely will be put in the spot. His shoulder is better so they may give him a shot back in the outfield but probably not until they return home next week for the final series of the season again Houston and Oakland. Go M’s.

In other local sports, Russell Wilson was named NFC player of the week for the win over the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-26. Wilson completed 29/35 for 300 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.  Rookie receiver DK Metcalf had a touchdown along with two by tight end Will Dissly.  Tyler Lockett Wilson’s favorite receiver had ten catches for 79 yards.  CJ Prosise again the Seahawks third-down back ran the ball twice and caught three passes as well. The key to Prosise is to stay healthy since he has spent more time injured the last three years than playing.

This Sunday the Seahawks will be home against the New Orleans. The Saints though will be without starting quarterback Drew Brees who will be missing six weeks. The Seattle should win at home with ease but that is why we play the games you never know what will happen. Go Hawks!