Saturday, July 31, 2021

Mariners Start Road Trip With A Win


Mariners 9 Rangers 5

A good thing the Mariners won the opening
game to the series and road trip. I am sure
most of us expected so but actually getting
it done is the important thing. The Mariners
need to take two out three in Texas at least
before going to Tampa and New York.

Logan Gilbert got off to a good start on the
mound striking out the side in the first inning.
Gilbert did struggle in the fourth, fifth and
sixth inning. He gave a single run in both 
the fourth and fifth innings then two home
runs in the sixth. He was taken out in the
sixth with two outs. Still needs to be more
consistent with his slider and change up.
Sure he will continue to improve on both
the rest of the season.

The offense did get off to a good start scoring
four times in the second then three times more
in the third with a three-run home run by Jarred
Kelenic in the third inning. The did add on a 
run in the seventh and ninth innings which was
a good thing since the Rangers were not giving
up.

Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit
except JP Crawford and Dylan Moore. The 
good news though Crawford and Moore did
each drive in a run along with Moore scoring
a run too.

Abraham Toro continues to do well having 
three hits on the night including hitting a
double. Toro had three hits and scored two
runs. Looks like he is playing a good second
base as well. Moore was in left field as the
Mariners faced a lefty. Right now Moore and
Shed Long Jr are sharing left field until Jake
Fraley returns. In fact Long will have to start
hitting if he wants his name called in the lineup.

Nothing came out as far as trades go for the
Mariners on Friday the end of the trading 
deadline. Other teams going for the wild card
added players but at what cost by giving up
top prospects which the Mariners thankfully
didn't follow suit. Whether that cost a playoff
spot only time will tell however they are 
playing good ball right now.

Tyler Anderson the Mariners acquired from 
the Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled to start
Saturday. With need in starting pitching 
a good thing to have Anderson around. Not
sure when Dunn or Sheffield will be back
but Anderson looks like an upgrade anyway.
We could see Dunn and or Sheffield in the
bullpen when they return. Both likely will
do rehab assignments in Tacoma. 

The suspension of Hector Santiago the 
Mariners didn't have to make any changes
adding Diego Castillo to the bullpen.
Castillo got his first action Friday by
pitching the 9th inning. He got all three
Rangers he faced. Castillo throws slider
which he uses 70 percent of the time.

Now a look at the next group of five
Kraken in the expansion draft.

#21 Carson Soucy the Kraken acquired
from the Minnesota Wild as a defenseman.
Carson was drafted by the Wild in 2013.
He played four years at University of 
Minnesota-Duluth before signing with
the Wild. His first two years he played
for the Wild's AHL minor league team.
Carson made his first appearance in
Minnesota during the 2017-18 season.
He played the last two years for the Wild.

#22 Calle Jarnkrok a Swedish ring wing
selected from the Nashville Predator's. 
Played the last eight years for Nashville
after being selected in the draft in 2010.
A veteran presence in the lineup will be
good.

#23 Vince Dunn a defenseman from the
St. Louis Blues. Not very popular picking
him up from the Blues. The fans in St. Louis
still not happy about it. Drafted by the Blues
in the second round in 2015. Vince began
his professional career with Chicago Wolves
in the AHL the Blues affiliate. Played the
last four years for the Blues.

#24 Mason Appleton selected from the
Winnipeg Jets where he played forward.
Interesting Mason was born and raised in
Green Bay, Wisconsin. Green Bay is not
far from a town named Appleton. Mason
started his professional career with Manitoba
Moose in 2017 in AHL. This was after two 
years at Michigan State.  The last three years 
spent with Winnipeg. Welcome to Seattle.

#25 Haydn Fleury selected from the Anaheim
Ducks. Last name familiar his brother was 
selected from Montreal. Haydn was drafted
by Carolina Hurricanes in the first round in
2014. Haydn played three years with Carolina
while spending some time in the AHL. He
was traded to Anaheim during this last season.

next time we will cover the last players taken
in the expansion draft 26 thru 30. 



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