Astros Take Care of Mariners

Astros 12 Mariners 3

As you can tell not a lot to say about
Friday night's game except the Astros
took care of the Mariners easily.

Yusei Kikuchi had another rough 

outing this time against the Astros.

Kikuchi ended up going only two

and two-thirds innings giving up

seven runs. Five of the runs were

through the long ball causing five

of the seven runs. Only the two 

runs in the first inning were not

by the long ball. Kikuchi has 

struggled since the all-star break.

It reminds me when Dan Vogelbach

had trouble after the break when

he was on the all-star team. We

hope Kikuchi doesn't follow the

same way. At least the Mariners do

have young pitching coming up to.

Even giving up two runs in the first

inning would have been difficult 

alone since Lance McCullers Jr was

pitching for the Astros. He always 

pitches well against the Mariners 

it seems. McCullers gave up two

runs to the Mariners in six innings.

Eight Mariners struck out to McCullers.

Kyle Seager had his 28th home run

on the season in the 4th inning for

the Mariners first run. Later Ty France

who is having a great season had a

homer as well. It looks like Seager

will have his highest home run total

in his career this season. Seager hit

30 home  runs and 99 rbi's in 2016.

His best career totals including average

when he batted .278. This year though

his average is .219 the lowest in his

career. He is not far behind his lowest

going into the season where Seager

batted .221.

This makes you wonder if the Mariners

may have changed their minds on not

taking Seager's option going into 2022. 

They don't have anyone to take his spot 

at third base unless moving France or

Toro over to the spot. France is playing

well at first though Evan White will

return in 2022 though he could start

the season in triple-A since he was

struggling at the plate before injured

the rest of the season. Toro on the other

hand could stay at second unless they

decide to move him back to third base

where he has spent more of his career.

Seager's option is for $15 million and I

am sure they still don't want to pay him

that much. Outside his batting average

he has had his best season since 2016.

Seager doesn't turn 34 until November

so could have a few more years if he

desires to. You wonder how many losing

seasons in Seattle has put a toll on him

mentally. We will see.

The Seahawks play this evening in Seattle

against the Denver Broncos in the second

pre-season game. Expect to see many of

the starters including Russell Wilson.