up one run. Again he didn't walk a
batter but threw 96 pitches. As the
season goes on we should see Kirby
go seven innings regularly.
The trouble in this game the offense
didn't do enough and the bullpen wasn't
what it has been. The Mariners made a
couple moves in the bullpen.
The Mariners brought up relievers Justin
Topa and JB Bukauskas from Tacoma.
Tops pitched the 10th without giving
up a run though he walked a couple
batters.
The Mariners looked like they had
a good chance in winning the game
going into the bottom of the 9th. They scored a run in the top of the inning.
The trouble Matt Brash gave up a couple
runs in the bottom to have the game
go extra innings.
Bukauskas gave up two runs in the 11th
after the Mariners had scored two themselves. Another chance two win
the game.
Penn Murfee came in the 12th after
the Mariners scored a run. With a
runner on second and first. The Mariners
walked Jose Ramirez which made sense.
The trouble Murfee tried to pick.off
the runner off at second but the ball
sailed into center field. Both runners
ended up scoring and there was the
ball game.
Murfee has pitched in.three straight
games so I wouldn't be surprised
the Mariners make a move before
facing the Chicago Cubs on Monday.
The Tacoma Rainier's game was postponed
on Sunday because of rain. The pitcher
is probably on the way to Chicago right
now.
What did the Mariners do with adding
the two relievers on Sunday. Matt Festa
was optioned to Tacoma and Andre Munoz
went on the 15 day injured list. I thought
the injured list was ten days but they must
have changed it again unless there is an
option of either ten or fifteen days.
The Mariners say Munoz just needs rest.
I expect Matt Brash likely will pitch
in the spot of Munoz. Certainly looked
like what happened Sunday.
Luis Castillo starts Monday in Chicago.
A good way to start the series. Oh yes the
final score Sunday Cle 7 Sea 6. The Mariners are now 4-6.
The starting rotation of the Mariners
should win three out of five for the
most part on the season. Have to
figure Castillo will win most of his
starts. Flexen in for Robbie Ray
until his return could go either
way. I expect Ray will win more
than he loses when he gets back.
Logan Gilbert and George Kirby
should win depending on the offense.
Marco Gonzales I expect will lose
more often than he wins. Though
he is in the 4th spot he is considered
the 5th starter. The question is how
long can he go and how many runs
scored against him and how many
runs the Mariners can score for him.
Marco could be in the rotation until
May, June or July. I expect one of
the Mariners pitching prospects will
take his spot. A lot will depend on
whether there is any more injuries
in the rotation. We could see Flexen
and Marco in the bullpen later on.
They both be able to go multiple
innings leaving the rest of the
relievers going one inning each.
The offense has their pluses and
minuses so far in the ten games.
The top of the batting order one through
four Julio, Ty France, Eugenio Suarez
and Cal Raleigh have done their job.
Five through eight although Kelenic
is doing fine though a bit inconsistent.
Teoscar Hernandez got off to a terrible
start is starting to climb out of it. Pollock
hard to judge since he has played limited
time.
Outside of Cal Raleigh when he has dh
the rest of the guys haven't hit. Second baseman Kolten Wong has played solid
defense but hasn't hit. Hopefully he turns
things around but a disappointment for
sure. Tom Murphy and Sam Haggerty
have been disappointments at the plate
to. Murphy has one hit in 14 at bats for
.071 and Haggerty at .167. Both are
supposed to be good against lefties.
Murphy will either give Raleigh a day
off once or twice a week behind the
while dh on occasion. Haggerty is
platooning at second with Wong. His
value to is his place on the bases if
he can get there.
Cooper Hummel who has been at
dh for most of his at bats is hitting
.091 and Tommy La Stella is hitting
.111. Between the two they have
two hits. Unless there is an injury
or when Dylan Moore returns the
Mariners may not make a move
until May or for a couple more
weeks.
JP Crawford has had his moments
but after Sunday he is hitting .212
in the ninth spot of the order. If he
can get at least one hit or a walk
in a game it helps with Julio coming
to come to the plate. Since the 7th
or 8th hitters are not producing makes
it hard on Crawford and Julio.
I see Hernandez starting to do something
but the rest of the guys in the bottom
of the order need to produce something.
Brian O'Keefe is producing at catcher
and dh for the Tacoma at .444 average
and four home runs. If Hummell continues
to struggle I could see him come up and
be in the mix at catcher and dh. He bats
right handed so could hit against lefties.
Mike Ford is another who is hitting well
with Tacoma but his other tries with
the Mariners has done well. If La Stella
continues not to hit Ford could be given
a chance. We will see how they do.against
the Cubs. Mariners signed veteran infielder
Cesar Hernandez at the end of training
and is in Tacoma. Depending on Dylan Moore we could see him up to.
He is a switch hitting second baseman
for the most part. Go M's.
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