Mariners End Losing Streak At Five

It was so nice to see the Mariners end their five game losing streak Sunday afternoon winning 6-3. Mike Leake was rolling along pretty good in the game leading 3-1 going into the seventh inning after Kyle Seager hit his first home run of two in the sixth inning. Leake though gave up a two-run homer to shortstop Aledmys Diaz to tie the game in the seventh inning at 3-3. I thought oh know are the Mariners going to find a way to lose this game. Fortunately Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning followed by Kyle Seager’s second home run of the game. This put the Mariners up 6-3.

Real good news to in the top of the eighth inning Alex Colome came in for the Mariners then Edwin Diaz in the ninth inning to shut the door. Diaz of the Blue Jays had an outstanding series including three in this game including the tying home run however he was no match for Edwin. It had been six days since we last saw Eddie so he was nice and refreshed. He looked like it for sure. We hope that the Mariners will have a good road trip playing ten games against the Rangers, Astros and the A’s before coming home to first face the Los Angeles Dodgers. I hope we see Diaz frequently on this road and when we don’t it is because the Mariners have a good lead in the game; if the Mariners can win seven out of ten games on this road trip this will put them back to twenty games above five hundred with a record of 71-51 with forty games remaining.

I know that could be asking for a lot the way they have been playing of late but we can only hope so. The most importance is winning the series against the Oakland at the end of the trip.

Wade LeBlanc will start the first game of the series against the Texas Rangers Monday night followed by Felix Hernandez on Tuesday night and Marco Gonzales Wednesday afternoon. Since the stadium in Arlington is a hitter’s park it will be important that these three guys keep the ball in the park. LeBlanc had trouble in his last outing so hopefully it doesn’t mean he has pitched too many innings. Felix will be tested again to see whether he stays in the rotation or not. Erasmo Ramirez is expected back soon after being on rehab assignment. The question will he take Felix spot or the Mariners go to a six-man rotation or he will work out of the bullpen as a long reliever. Gonzales continuing doing well though not as much the last time out hasn’t pitched so many innings either in a season. Even if they don’t go to a six-man rotation the Mariners could decide to skip the guys in each round as well. Mike Leake who has pitched a lot of innings in his career could be the only pitcher that doesn’t skip a turn. This will depend to whether the Mariners are able to stay in the race as well. Go M’s.

Toronto Looks to Sweep

Going into Saturday night’s win I am sure most Mariner fans were hoping that James Paxton would throw another no-hitter against the Blue Jays instead the Mariners almost got a no-hitter thrown against them. Mitch Haniger got the first hit in the game for the Mariners and in the end they had three hits.

In my mind it doesn’t matter right now how the pitchers throw or how the batters hit it is all about winning the game. James Paxton admitted that he didn’t throw very well on Saturday night though he went seven innings giving up three runs and struck out seven batters. In the end the Mariners lost 5-1. The Mariners one run didn’t even involve a hit in the bottom of the eighth inning when Ryon Healy walked and was able to get over to third base when pinch hitter Chris Herrmann hit a sacrifice fly. It was a little too late.

The Mariners need to relax and get back to having fun in the games. It may sound weird to but not worry about the A’s now ahead of them or even winning. I am so surprised because I thought they would win three out of the four games and right now they can be swept instead. The players say they are going through a rough patch and they know that they will come out. They believe that they are a good team. I have to say those are only words because they are playing like they don’t care and in my mind the fans shouldn’t care either until the players do. Again go out and have fun. Let the chips fall where they may go but anything is better than what has been going on in this series. You look at every position on the team and the Mariner players have a higher batting average than every Blue Jay except at two positions.  Last night it was first and second base because Romine was in place of Dee Gordon. Right now it is like the Blue Jays know what they are doing and the Mariners don’t.  The players shouldn’t be worried that Safeco Field this weekend is made up of mainly Jay fans. Go out and play ball. Go M’s.

Bobby Wagner

The Seahawks are now just over a week into training camp and they play their first pre-season game in five days on August 9 against the Indianapolis Colts at CenturyLink Field.  Currently free safety Earl Thomas is holding out for a new contract and it doesn't seem soon that he will report unless he gets that contract or he is traded to another season. Every day that he misses camp he is being find and by the first pre-season game the amount will be around $1 million. He believes he is in the right however I believe he is being unrealistic at the same time. He wants to be covered in salary just in case he is injured that could cost him his career and at the same time probably a major reason that the Seahawks don't want to sign him to an extension he wants. He has missed a part of the last two years and another injury could cost him his career. Everyone knows that a football career is short even at the best of circumstances however the players are compensated very well these days especially someone like Thomas who is finishing up his second contract with the Seahawks. I see the problem has to do with the structure of the NFL and the players union in itself. Major league baseball and the NBA the contracts are guaranteed while the NFL contracts are not in most cases. When a player signs a contract in the NFL the only part of the contract that is guaranteed to some degree is the signing bonus. Say a player signs a second contract (first contract is called a rookie contract) for example may be announced that he has agreed to $40 million over four years. Some players may get that full amount however likely most will not. Depending on how they play it could turn out that they play only one or two years.

Saying all this to is that many fans and media would say that Earl Thomas is the best player on the defensive side of the ball for the Seahawks and one of the top in the NFL. He could have been even if Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril were still on the Seahawks. Right now though I would say that Bobby Wagner is the best player on the defensive and probably second to Russell Wilson on the whole team. Along with K,J. Wright they are probably the best tandem of linebackers in the NFL. At this time the linebacker positions are probably the top unit on the Seahawks. If either K. J. Wright and or Bobby Wagner were injured for a period of time that would slow the Seahawks team down. I believe the safety position will be Ok without Thomas but sure would be quite improved with him on it. I expect that Wagner once again will be a pro bowler and he has led both the Seahawks and the NFL in tackles the last few years. The Seahawks not only hope that whoever starts at the third linebacker spot will help out them well as those who are trying to make it as backups help the team in the long run as well. The times I have seen Wagner on Television or the radio I find him to be quite the person. I think of him as a pro bowler off the field well as on. We hope that he and K. J. Wright will be able to perform up to their normal playing if not even further if that is possible. I look forward to hear another tackle has been made by Bobby Wagner. I am sure we won't see much of him in the pre-season games. I look forward to see the up and coming linebackers for the Seahawks even though they may only play mainly on special teams. Go Hawks!!

Mariners Go Down Once Again

I am not sure what to say any more about the Mariners the way they are playing lately. At least the defense was better than on Thursday night but the offense continues to struggle.

The Mariners lost to the Blue Jays this time 7-2. I wouldn’t say that Marco Gonzales better outings but he was able to go seven innings giving up four runs. Also he didn’t walk a batter and struck out seven. He did deserve better fate like the starters have recently.

The offense again had their good times but mostly they were stale again. On the positive side Mitch Haniger and Kyle Seager each had two hits in the game. The only other hits in the game were by Jean Segura and Ryon Healy. The Mariners did have a players meeting after the game. I hope that resolves the issues the Mariners have been having.

News happen where Juan Nicasio was placed on the disabled list and Chasen Bradford was recalled. In my opinion this should have happened a few days ago. The unfortunate part is that Bradford gave up three runs on four hits in the ninth inning.

Despite the struggles the Mariners are having scoring runs lately I compared the batting averages position by position on both the Mariners and the Blue Jays. I found that first base and left field were the only positions that the Jays hitters had high averages than the Mariners.

Saturday night the Mariners have James Paxton going for them. We do hope that he pitches the same way he did in his last outing and the Mariners can end this losing streak. In fact the last time the Mariners won was win Paxton was on the mound.

I wouldn’t be so upset if it were the Mariners were not playing the Blue Jays. They have been playing poor baseball since the middle of May. After beating the Mariners twice they are eight games below five hundred. Figuring the math out you know where they were before facing the Mariners. I know that all teams go through tough stretches during the season but the Mariners have been doing this since they faced the Colorado Rockies a month ago. They did have trouble against the Yankees and Red Sox before that however they rebounded to play well before the Rockies. I don’t understand their problem but it is time to get things back in order. They may not be a twenty game above five hundred team in the long run but they are more than a five hundred team. I am not a happy camper and I am sure most fans are not at this time. What was a good season is now turning into an awful season if they keep going the same way even if they still have a winning season. Having a record like eight-five instead of ninety would be very disappointing and Jerry Dipoto will need to make some changes going into next season if the Mariners don’t make the playoffs.   

Come on Team

 

The Mariners haven’t done well since the all-star break especially with the offense. The starting pitching has been doing in general but the bullpen has struggled to say the least. The primary reason the Mariners went out and picked up three new relievers.

On Thursday playing the Blue Jays although Felix had a really bad outing in his last performance we not only hoping he would do better the team would as well. Felix was wild at times in the five innings he pitched though he only walked two batters. He only allowed two hits and two runs. He gave up the two runs in the second inning after Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer to put the Mariners ahead in the game. With runners on base he had the batter hit a grounder though hard Kyle Seager wasn’t able to stop it and the ball went into the outfield to score two runs. I don’t think could have stopped the Jays from scoring a run however it shouldn’t have been two if he were able to keep the ball in front of him.

The game was tied until the seventh inning when Juan Nicasio came in and allowed two runs for the Jays to take a 4-2 lead. It wasn’t his entire fault since Seager had an error as well. My opinion Seager should have spent another day on paternity leave.

Newcomers Adam Warren who came in for Felix, Zach Duke who relieved Warren and Sam Tui who came in the eighth all pitched well. The Mariners still had a chance to win the game however James Pazos who has pitched well most of the season gave up three runs in the ninth inning to seal the victory for the Blue Jays. Nelson Cruz had a second homer in the game for all the Mariners scoring.

Marco Gonzales and James Paxton  pitch Friday and Saturday nights. We hope they are able to get the Mariners back on track. The Mariners will need the rest of the offense get going. The Mariners can’t let all on the hands of Nelson Cruz. Servais has shaken the lineup a little but that hasn’t helped either. Dee Gordon hurt his ankle in the top of the ninth and had to leave the game. We will have to see how things will go with him. He has had a hard time at the plate in recent times as well. This is the time to do their very best because the Jays are banged up and don’t have most of their regulars playing. I hope that the Mariners have a team meeting to get things straight. It is easy to blame Servais but he can only do so much the rest has to rely on the players. Go M’s.

Astros Win Series Over Mariners

The Mariners had to do Wednesday afternoon was get good pitching out of Wade LeBlanc who has pitched well all season however it wasn't meant to be. The Astros took the early lead scoring three run in the second inning that included a solo home run off the bat of second baseman Marwin Gonzales. The Mariners returned the favor scoring two runs inthe bottom of the second. Newcomer Cameron Maybin who was starting in center field hit a single followed by another by Mike Zunino. After Guillermo Heredia Andrew Rominedrove in Maybin with a single followed by Zach Vincej  who drove in Zunino with a single. Vincej who came up in place of  Kyle Seager who went on paternity leave. Seager is expected back shortly possibly on Thursday against the Blue Jays. Romine was scheduled to start at third base but Ryon Healy was scratched and replaced by Vincej. Romine went over to firstbase while Vincej went in at third base. Gonzales had his second homer in the fourth inning making it 4-2. The Mariners still had the chance of coming back at that point but in the fifth inning Wade LeBlanc gave up a two-run  homer so he left giving up seven runs. Nick Vincent who came in for LeBlanc also gave up a home run in the fifth inning to make it 8-2. After Cruz home run in the sixth inning Mitch Haniger and Maybin both hit singles. So the Mariners had a rally going with one out and Mike Zunino at the plate. Maybin for some reason tried to steal second with Haniger at third however he was caught. On the next pitch Zunino struck out ending the sixth inning without the Mariners scoring another run. I am sure Maybin will not try that again in the future. It is likely  the Astros would have still won the game but we will never know. So the final score was 8-3.

Thursday night the Mariners will start a home series against the Toronto Blue Jays and Felix Hernandez will be taking the mound. After his last outing I am sure he will be on a short leash. Now that the A's won and are tied with the Mariners it will be important that the Mariners take three out of the four games against the Jays. The Blue Jays are struggling this season so the chances are good on that though there will be a lot of Jay fans in the stands coming down from Canada. We hope the Mariner fans will be able to do their duty during the games. It should be nice and loud. Past years has always felt like a road series for the Mariners. The Mariners need to have a good August to stay in the race as well. Go M's. 

Mariners Lose Middle Game

Tuesday's Night game was closer than the 5-2 score indicated. Like Monday's game it was another close game except the win went to the Astros. The Mariners took the lead first on a home run by Jean Segura in the bottom of the fourth inning on a solo home run however Astros tied it in the top of the fifth inning. The Astros took the lead in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run homer by designated hitter Evan Gattis. The Mariners got close with a hit by Segura and another by Mitch Haniger that brought Segura  making it 3-2. At that point it looked like the Mariners had a good opportunity to tie or go ahead in the game however right fielder Josh Reddick hit a home run with a runner on base in the top of the ninth inning making the final score 5-2. The Mariners were unable to get a hit off of current closer Hector Rondon. The Mariners are now back to four games behind the Astros and the A's won again so a game ahead of them once again. 

Mike Leake had another good pitching match going throwing six innings giving up eight hits, no walks and striking out four batters. His biggest mistake was the two-run homer to Gattis. Recently acquired left handed specialist Zach Luke came in to face lefthanded hitter Reddick who hit the home run off of him in the ninth inning. Ironically it was the first home run that Luke has giving up this season. I would not judge him by this one outing though. Also newly acquired reliever Sam Tuivaliala came out of the bullpen for the first time with the Mariners relieving lefty James Pazos in the seventh inning with one out.  He went one and a two-thirds inning give up two hits and no runs. A good first outing and impression unlike Duke.  Chasen Bradford relieved Duke in the ninth inning. The Mariners are expected to activate newly acquired reliever Wednesday so someone from the bullpen will have to waived or optioned to Tacoma.

The Mariners acquired just a few minutes before the trading deadline getting outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Florida Marlins for a minor leaguer and international slot money. Not a lot for the Mariners to give up for a veteran outfielder. He is expected to arrive in Seattle on Wednesday so Guillermo Heredia will likely be the odd man out and be optioned to Tacoma. We will know more before the game. He will probably play the same role of Heredia except that he will be a better hitter. Also before game time we will probably know whether Kyler Seager will return from paternity leave or be another day. Utility player Andrew Romine has been starting in his place while Seager has been out. His defense seems solid though his hitting hasn't been that great. At this point the difference between Romine and Seager is that Seager is a power hitter. 

Wade LeBlanc will be starting for the Mariners on Wednesday afternoon. The key for LeBlanc is to continue pitching like he has and see what breaks the offense can make for the Mariners to win the final game of the series.  Thursday night the Mariners start a series in Seattle against the Toronto Blue Jays and Felix Hernandez is expected to start which could be his last chance depending on how he does. Go M's.