Two Game Losing Streak

The Mariners continue to go on these streaks of winning and losing. They haven’t been able to go on a winning streak of five or six games all season. Instead they win a series or sweep a series or get swept them. It is happening once again. They won the series against the Angels in Seattle losing the final game than the first game on the road in Texas they lose. We do hope they can rebound and win this series against the Rangers.

On Monday Night Ariel Miranda had a poor outing where he lasted only one and two-third innings leaving giving up four runs each two in the first and second innings. Scott Servais said after the game he was fatigued which doesn’t surprise me at all since he has started every game he has pitched all season long and he hasn’t gone that far before. Newcomer Ryan Garton finished off the second getting the final out.

Andrew Moore came in and pitched the final six innings for the Mariners. He gave up one hit in those six innings that was a home run to DeShields in the fourth inning. He pitched so well against the Rangers that he struck out seven batters as well. The Mariners are expected to start Moore in Miranda’s spot next time around.

The Mariners three runs in the game were home runs by Kyle Seager in the second and a two-run shot by Mitch Haniger who continues his hot hitting. Including his homer were three hits. He had half the Mariners hits in the game.

The Mariners were able to get to Cole Hamels scoring the three runs in six innings but they couldn’t get a hit off of the three relievers they used after him.

The Mariners’ bullpen should be fine since Moore pitched the three innings after Miranda and Garton. Hopefully this rest will help guys like Nick Vincent who has been struggling as of late.

Tuesday night Marco Gonzales will start for the Mariners. His last outing was in relief for the Mariners where he did well and they hope he can start in good fashion this time. How he does will depend on whether he stays in the rotation or not. The Rangers will be starting Miguel Gonzalez who is making his second start after being traded to the Rangers from the Chicago White Sox. At this time I consider this game a tossup. Either pitcher could pitch well or not. Being in a park where hitting can be at a premium the game could be high scoring.

Mike Leake will make the start for the Mariners on Wednesday followed by Felix Hernandez making his for first time in a while being on the disabled list. Also James Paxton will start on Friday against the Astros in the first game in Houston. These continue to be important games. How the Mariners do the rest of this week we will see if they are still in the wild card race or not. Go M’s

Seahawks and Mariners Both Lose

It didn’t turn out to be a good day for either the Seahawks or the Mariners. In fact both games were similar where they were both into the game for a while.

The Seahawks played good enough defense that they ended the first half with a score of 3-0. I am sure the Packers thought the Seahawks were going to run out the first half since they got the ball back with little time left. The officiating was awful in my mind especially the play in the end zone when tight end Jimmy Graham was trying to make the catch for a touchdown. The two defensive backs for the Packers were all over him and it should have been pass interference. I could understand if the ball was thrown way over Graham’s head however it was not. I have seen calls made on less than what happened there.

Another thing I am sure we all saw that the Seahawks offensive line was terrible all game long. Chris Carson was able to make some good running plays however Lee Lacy was stopped many times with a loss. The coaching staff beginning with Tom Cable will need to make some changes going into next week or the Seahawks will have a long season.

It is hard to believe that the Seahawks offensive starts off slow each season though Wilson did make some good passes though they settled for two field goals in the 17-6 loss. With the officiating they should have had two touchdowns that would have allowed them to win the game or make it very interesting that is for sure.

The defense did a good job especially in the first half however they were on the field to long so they got worn out in the second half. It was too bad that the Seahawks were not able to get the defender off the field when Aaron Rodgers was able to throw the ball into the field for the touchdown. This goes to show the Seahawks have work to do and we hope it takes place before next week’s game.

The Mariners and the Angels had a close game for most of Sunday. The Mariners were going for a sweep. The Angels scored in the first inning with a solo home run by Mike Trout however they were able to keep him at bay the rest of the way though did walk and score a second run as well.

Erasmo Ramirez who had another quality start which is his sixth in a row I believe anyway gave up only two runs in six and two-thirds inning on two solo home runs. The Mariners took the lead 2-1 in the second inning on a hit by Seager, Gamel’s triple and Zunino’s single. The score stayed that way until the seventh inning when the Angels hit a home run to tie the score.

The Angels scored three more runs in the eighth inning to put the game away. Nick Vincent who had not given up a run all season at Safeco Field until last Friday against the Angels gave up three runs including two on a double by Justin Upton who the Angels recently acquired by the Detroit Tigers.  Jean Segura did hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth but the Mariners could not get closer losing 5-3.

The Mariners recently have been unable to score runs late in the games. They seem to score early however scored very little after the fifth inning even in the games they have won. This is tough when the bullpen has been struggling lately. The starters have done well the last couple weeks.

The Mariners now go to Texas to face the Rangers. Ariel Miranda goes Monday against Hamels. It will be a tough game though the Mariners have done well against Hamels as of late. Felix is expected to start against the Rangers on Thursday and then followed on Friday by James Paxton against the Astros in Houston. I am not sure why the Mariners are still starting Miranda since he has been struggling the second half of the season. He hasn’t missed a start all season so he hasn’t ever pitched these many games in a season. Depending on this start I would recommend this being his last start of the season. In the meantime let’s go Mariners and Seahawks. We are hoping the best for both of you.

Mariners Take Another Win

 The Seattle Mariners continue their up and down chase toward the wild card. Right when we think they are out of it they go on another win streak. They were swept by the Astros though the games were close and the Mariners could have swept them now they have the chance to sweep the Angels on Sunday.

Saturday night being Cano Bubblehead night the offense decided to do their job and Andrew Albers had another good quality start. He certainly is making it where the Mariners will invite him back for spring training.

Albers went six innings throwing one hundred pitches giving up only four hits with one walk and four strike outs. The Mariners started the scoring out in the first inning when red hot Mitch Haniger hit a home run to take a 1-0 lead. He also had a triple and a single scoring three runs on three hits. He missed out getting a double. The Mariners got their second run in the third inning when Haniger hit the triple and then his final run in the fourth inning when Nelson Cruz hit a three run homer. The fourth inning the Mariners scored their final six runs to take an 8-0 lead. Angels scored a run in the ninth inning that had no meaning other than preserving a shutout.

Erasmo Ramirez will be starting on Sunday afternoon against the Angels before the Mariners head on the road. He has had an era under three in his last five outings. The Mariners will be facing Parker Bridwell who has a 7-2 record of an era even at four runs. In his last outing though against the A’s last week seven runs in three plus innings however he was not charged with the loss. This is a great opportunity for the Mariners to sweep the Angels.

The Mariners will be heading out on the road to have a four game series against the Rangers in Texas followed by a three game series next weekend in Houston. With Hurricane Harvey it is hard to know at this point how those series will go especially in Houston. The Mariners than will come home to face the Astros and then the red hot Cleveland Indians the following weekend. These series will be challenges for sure. The Mariners could be out of the race by the end of the road series or stay in the race if they can produce on the road. Both Felix Hernandez and James Paxton could be starting next week. Most likely Felix against the Rangers while Paxton will go against the Astros and neither one is expected to throw any more than fifty or sixty pitches so likely will have someone pitch in long relief. I expect those pitchers would be the ones they took out of the rotation to stick them in the rotation.  I expect the Mariners will keep both Ramirez and Mike Leake in the rotation along with either Ariel Miranda or Andrew Moore.

In other local sports the Huskies and Cougars won both of their games though the Cougars had to go into three overtimes to do so over Boise State. The Seahawks will take on the Packers in Green Bay. That game will take place at the same time as the Mariners. In my case I will be switching back and forth between games. So we say Go Hawks and Mariners!

Good Friday Night Win

I finally went to a Mariners game Friday night at Safeco Field. They didn’t disappoint me though it was a close game.

Mike Leake started out slow again in his second start for the Mariners however he was able to go six innings and keep the team in the game. He once again gave up two runs in the first inning however a ball went by first baseman Yonder Alonso that he should have stopped instead scored two runs. If he had stopped the ball only one run would have scored. It was nice that they were able to make a double play to end any more scoring.

Ben Gamel was the player of the game for the Mariners since he hit a three run homer to put the Mariners up 3-2. Later on he made a catch going up on the wall in left field to save a run and likely the game.

The deciding run was a hit by Mitch Haniger in the third inning. It would have been nice if the Mariners could have scored a few more runs in some of the innings after the 3^rd though it did give drama to the game.

A young 8 year old boy was behind me with his mother. He had his mitt so I told him it was his job to protect us all in our section just in case a ball came our way. We did have a couple that was not too far away from us. I couldn’t see where they were so I ducked. The boy later bought a couple small bats and he had a ball he got that was signed by Jean Segura and a great evening for him.

It was nice to get more solid exercise going up and down the stairs. It would be nice to do that on a regular basis.

The bullpen had a solid outing with only Vincent and Diaz giving up hits in three innings. Diaz did look good though he gave up a hit. I imagined he would give up a home run however he struck out two including the last out of the game. Made the ride home nice and sweet.

Getting the first game of the series after being swept against the Astros will give the Mariners opportunity to take the series against the Angels. The Mariners are going against subpar starting pitching in these two remaining games compared to what they faced against the Astros. Since the Angels and Mariners are close for the wild care it would be extremely important that the Mariners can sweep the Angels.  

 

Mike Leake

Friday night Mike Leake takes the mound for the Seattle Mariners in Safeco Field for his second appearance since being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals a couple weeks ago.

I have to admit like most Mariner fans I didn’t know much about Leake when the Mariners traded for him. I know that he is a ground ball pitcher which is a good sign especially when the Mariners have a lot of high ball pitchers that is not a surprise since they give up a lot of home runs.

Just before his first outing last Friday general manager Jerry Dipoto the reason they picked up Leake was because of how may innings he pitches along with the fact he has several years left on his contract and that being a ground ball pitcher it cost more money to get one over a high ball pitcher and they are rare as well. Dipoto said to that he is going try to find more ground ball pitchers in the future as well.

My brother Jack lived in St. Louis for seventeen years and is a Cardinals fan so I told him about the Mariners picking Leake up. He was surprised because he said that Leake was the Cardinals number one pitcher at the beginning of the season. So I have to say if he can get anywhere close to being a number one starter like in St. Louis he will be worth getting him. With Felix trying to stay healthy the last couple years and James Paxton staying healthy at all having Leake is a good find. Regardless of the order those three should be at the top of the Mariners rotation next year.

 Leake has pitched a lot of innings since 2010 so if he can continue to do so the Mariners will be very happy about it especially he can throw a lot of quality starts going at least six inning and giving up two or less runs.

Right now the Mariners have thirteen starting pitchers including Leake, Felix and Paxton going into next season with Erasmo Ramirez and Ariel Miranda filling out the two remaining spots as favorites. I could see both of them going to the bullpen as well if Dipoto can go out and find another starter or two.

Though the Mariners may have thirteen starters listed right now doesn’t mean that all of them will be in spring training. In fact I would say several of them most likely will not. They will probably be involved in a trade or released by the Mariners after the season.

I am sure Andrew Moore and Marco Gonzales will get a good see in spring training for the fifth spot however I could see both of them starting in Tacoma as well.

Anyway Leake we want to see another good outing like you made last week going seven innings and giving up two runs. Go M’s.

Seahawks Opening Game Almost Here

The Seattle Seahawks season starts on Sunday against the Packers in Green Bay. This game will show whether the Seahawks will play well on the road to start the season or not.

Pre-season though 4-0 didn’t really show us whether the offense will get off to a good start or not? In recent years the first half of the season the offense has started off slowly. What we hope is that the running game will get off well. With the passing of Aaron Rogers the Seahawks will need to keep the ball away from the Packers as much as possible. I am sure that Rogers will keep the ball away from Sherman’s side and see what he can going the other way. Eddie Lacy should start the game since Thomas Rawls isn’t one hundred percent healthy however Pete Carroll hasn’t announced who will start yet. I am sure Lacy will get his full share of attempts even if he doesn’t start. He has something prove to the Packers as well as himself after being injured most of last season. Pete Carroll likes running backs like Lacy as well. He is the most like Marshawn Lynch that the Seahawks have. C.J. Prosise is healthy as well so he will be in on third downs to either run or catch the ball.

What we hope for is that the Seahawks will be able to get the ball in the end zone as well instead of kicking field goals. It will be nice if the defense can make some turnovers early in the game too. Momentum will be an important part of the game for the Seahawks.

 Getting Sheldon Richardson was great for the Seahawks defensive line. This will allow the Seahawks to have depth enough to rotate players in and out especially with Bennett and Avril both being over thirty. They have Dave Bass behind Bennett while Frank Clark and Marcus Smith behind Avril on the depth chart. Nazair Jones is the backup at both defensive tackle spots however Bennet can move inside on passing downs as well.

Bobby Wagner is back at middle linebacker with KJ Wright at one of the outside linebacker spots. The rest of the linebackers are new to the Seahawks. Cornerback the Seahawks still have Richard Sherman on one side while Jeremy Lane on the other side along with rookie Shaquill Griffin. They both will be in when they go to the five man package. Most likely Lane will play in the inside. It is nice that Kam Chancellor is back with a new contract and a healthy Earl Thomas at safeties. We all know that the Seahawks are better when Thomas is playing.

All I ask for the Seahawks is that they start the season on the upswing instead of waiting until mid-season. It is important they get back to winning most of their home games to have the home field advantage for the playoffs. Go Hawks!

 

 

 

Mariners Third Loss to Astros

The Seattle Mariners starting pitching had a good series against the Houston Astros however the relief pitching did a poor job and the offense sputtered some.

Andrew Moore making his first start for the Mariners for some time had the third quality start against the Astros.  Moore was able to pitch six innings giving up three hits and two runs. Kyle Seager continued his hot hitting getting another home run in the game however in the top of the ninth inning with the score tied 3-3 Edwin Diaz gave up a double and then a home run to Cameron Maybin to win the game 5-3. This was the second game in a row that Maybin who the Astros picked up on waivers for the Los Angeles Angels recently won the game.

It is really sad that the bullpen that has had some good times did not do well in the series against the Astros. The Astros are showing that the difference between them and the Mariners is to be able to win late in games. The Mariners have had done so on occasion but nothing like the Astros. It is a shame because the Mariners were in every one of these games and this might have put them out of the wild card race. The Mariners will have to rebound against the Angels over the weekend to have any chance at all now.

It is amazing though that the Mariners are in the race at all with the injuries they have had all season especially to the starting pitching. I am sure the bullpen has had issues of late because until now the starters outside of Erasmo Ramirez haven’t made many quality starts. What has helped the bullpen is bringing up long relievers on a regular basis to at least not tired them out so much and using relievers like Vincent and Diaz primarily when they have been ahead.

Although the relievers have been tired it is time that they make every effort to keep the game where the Mariners have the best chance of winning. The offense needs to get back to scoring five or more runs a game as well so the pitching doesn’t feel they have to throw a perfect pitch each time out.

Right now Cano and Seager are doing well however Cruz and the other guys have to start doing their fair share as well. The Mariners have seemed not to be able to win a lot of games at home. They are around even however it would have been nice if they could have five to ten more games at home. They started the season not doing well on the road however have done better since then on the road instead of home. The last road trip they were 6-6 which we would take anytime even though they started out well going 4-2 in the first two series. It would be nice to win at least two out of three against the Angels before going back on the road. It is important that they win a good clip since they don’t have a lot games remaining in the season. Go M’s.