Mariners 9 Rangers 8
the Texas Rangers on the road to keep
their chance for the wild card in the
playoffs. Thursday's afternoon game
wasn't the typical way to finish out
a sweep but we will take it.
The Mariners had a 7-2 lead going into
the 9th inning so it seemed they would
win with ease especially the way the
bullpen has been going lately. I guess
you could say the bullpen can have an
off night on occasion. Luckily the offense
came through to help still win the game.
Kyle Seager began the game like he
does often in Texas this time driving
in two runs in the first inning with a
double. In the second inning Mitch
Haniger had a three-run home run.
The Mariners scored another in the
third inning making it 6-0. Rangers
score a run in the fifth and sixth innings
before the Mariners scored another in
the 8th inning. Thankfully the Mariners
had the one run in the 8th inning because
the Rangers had five runs in the 9th.
Chris Flexen pitched well going seven
strong innings giving up two runs with
one being earned on a solo home run.
Casey Sadler pitched well in the 8th
inning. Anthony Misiewicz started the
9th inning however gave up three runs
on three hits without getting a run. I
haven't figured out yet why the Mariners
continue to have Anthony start an inning.
He is supposed to be a lefty specialist.
Which means to me he should enter the
game during the inning and not start the
inning. The rules now are the pitcher has
to at least pitch against three batters so
if he comes in with one or two outs he
doesn't have pitch a full inning or at
least three batters as long as he can
get two outs. The Mariners somehow
don't work that way with Anthony.
Diego Castillo came in for Misiewicz
where he ended giving up a home run
to tie the game. Fortunately the Mariners
were able to get out without surrendering
any more runs. Joe Smith who has pitched
well since coming over from Houston
didn't surrender a hit or a run in the 10th
inning. Ty France hit a two-run homer in
the 11th inning to take the lead. Paul
Sewald pitched the bottom of the 11th.
It was his third straight game pitching
against the Rangers. Of course, as we
know a runner starts the inning on
second base so he gave up a run on
one hit however was able to get through
the rest of the inning so there is the sweep.
Now the Mariners head to Houston to
take on the Astros Friday night. It would
be nice if the Mariners can have a similar
series in Houston as well. The Mariners
haven't done well over the years against
the Astros in Houston, however, maybe
this will be a new one. Wouldn't be nice
if Abraham Toro has a good series against
his old team and Seager has another good
series as well. It will be important the
starters continue their find job as well as
the bullpen. Go M's.
This week the Mariners were named the
number one minor league organization
in baseball this year. Quite amazing since
they were dead last back in 2018. Julio
Rodriguez is listed as the number two
prospect in the minor leagues, while
Noelvi Marte has his stock where he
has risen to number 11 after beginning
the season at 80. Currently he has 17
home runs in his first season in the USA.
Pitchers George Kirby and Emerson
Hancock are listed 35 and 36 in the top
100. We do know Yusei Kikuchi, Marco
Gonzales and Logan Gilbert will be in
the rotation next year. We will see about
Chris Flexen and Tyler Anderson. This
doesn't count Justus Sheffield and Justin
Dunn where there futures lie.
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