Kikuchi Hit Early By Yankees

Yankees 5 Mariners 4

Pitching: Yusei Kikuchi didn't have it
Wednesday night against the Yankees.
Kikuchi was hit hard early in the same
manner as Justus Sheffield did on
Tuesday night. The difference though
Kikuchi made adjustments to allow
him to go five innings. He may have
been able to go longer but had a high
pitch count. All five runs were against
Kikuchi.

Bullpen: The Mariners four relievers

each going an inning only gave up 

two hits without issuing a walk. This

gave the Mariners a chance to win.

Offense: The Mariners scored one 

run in the first inning with the 

opportunity to score more. In fact

the starter Nick Nelson left without

finishing the first inning. Nelson 

gave up one hit however walked

three. Nelson was a replacement

for the original starter. Luis Cessa

who came in for Nelson was able

to get the third out. He went three

more innings as well. The Mariners

scored three more runs in the sixth

inning when Tom Murphy hit a

three-run homer. The Mariners  

had only three hits on the night

with Murphy having two. Ty

France who scored on Murphy's

homer had the other hit. The

Mariners continue to have 

trouble at the plate unless they

have late innings heroics.

Injury list: Justus Sheffield was

put on the injured list with a left

forearm strain. According to 

Sheffield himself it is a body

injury not arm injury. Whatever

the case we hope he gets well

and gets back to pitching like

he did last year. Erik Swanson

was activated in Sheffield's spot.

It is possible Swanson could 

be opener to start Sunday's game

against the LA Angels. The

Mariners could make a move

before then as well. Other news

the Mariners are expecting Kyle

Lewis back in August according

to manger Scott Servais. That is

good news that he may not be done

for the season.

Look at Mariner's top prospects

Each day going to look at three 

of the Mariners top prospects.

Begin with number one prospect

Jarred Kelenic who is hitting .320

with 9 home runs and 28 rbi's.

According to Kelenic is a blessing

in disguise being sent back down

to Tacoma. There is word he could

be back on the Mariners after the

all-star break. He is expected to

play in the future's game.

Julio Rodriguez the Mariners number

two prospect began the season in

Everett where he hit .325 6 home 

runs and 21 rbi's. Not bad for a 20

year old though stardom is in his

dna. He recently promoted to 

double-A Arkansas where he is

hitting .385 in eight games. 

Rodriguez will play in the futures

game as well. He will be playing

for Dominican Republic in the

Olympics. We wish him the best.

Emerson Hancock #3 prospect

pitcher drafted in the first round

last year by the Mariners out of

Georgia. This being his first year

of professional baseball the 

Mariners are being careful with

his innings and pitch count. He

has started seven games for 

Everett the Mariners high-A,

team. He has in era of 2.42 

walking 11 batters while striking

out 25 in 26 innings. Emerson

to named to the futures game as

well.

Next time up will be prospects

four, five and six. Go M's.