Mariners Heading Into Game 2 Against Angels

The Seattle Mariners lost their fourth game in

a row Tuesday night losing the first game of the

three game series against the LA Angels.

The Mariners are now at 4-8. Justin Dunn

struggled in the first inning walking a batter

besides giving up home runs to Mike Trout 

back from maternity leave and Luis Pujols.

Why they would pitch to either guy is beyond

me especially early on in the game. Trout has

77 career home runs in the first inning.

Dunn gave up only one more hit after the

first inning. He ended up going four innings

walking four batters and striking out four.

Carl Edwards Jr pitched one inning in the

fifth. One of the best choices to come in

for the starter over the last several games.

He didn't give up a hit in his one inning.  

Joey Gerber called up made his first 

appearance on the season going for

an inning as well.

The Mariners scored a run in each inning

the sixth, seventh, and eighth. The seventh

inning Dylan Moore hit a home run. He had

two hits on the night. He is the only hitter

in the bottom four of the order to get any

hits. They are killing the Mariners in that

order. 

Erik Swanson recently called up gave up

a two run home run in the seventh inning

to make difference in the game. All five

runs the Angels scored were because of

home runs. 

Marco Gonzales starts tonight against

the Angels as the Mariners begin their 

third time through the rotation. Kendall

Graveman will miss his turn as he went

on the injured list. It will be interesting 

to see whether the Mariners will replace

him in the rotation or they go to a five

man rotation until he comes back. He 

should only miss one turn though two

on the outside. 

My opinion I would go with the five

man rotation. Why interrupt the rotation

with someone who hasn't started a game

yet unless you want to give a pitcher

some experience starting. It wouldn't

hurt since the bullpen hasn't been doing

so well for the most part.

Speaking about the bullpen use four 

pitchers for the most part  with an occasion

on the other guys on the staff. Bryan Shaw

still on the team I have no idea other than

using him when the Mariners are down

four runs or more. 

Seahawk Wednesday

We will be going over the possibilities of

tight ends this week, however, first training

camp began on Monday. Right now training

camp is different than usual as we know 

because of Covid-19.

The Seahawks are going through strength

and conditioning for the most part over the

next couple weeks. 

Pete Carroll answered questions on his 

news conference opening up training camp

on Monday. 

Now the look at the tight ends. 

Will Dissly is back again after missing 

most of last season over an injury for 

the second straight season. He was 

mentioned in the press conference

where Pete Carroll said he was in

excellent condition.

The Seahawks signed veteran Greg 

Olsen during the off-season. It seemed

the Seahawks played against him and

Carolina every single season though 

not in the same division. He did quite

well against the Seahawks. I figure 

it should shave some points off when

playing Carolina. 

Olsen is expected to become an analyst

on TV when his career ends. This could

be his only year in Seattle unless he 

plays exceptional where another look nice.

There is a good possibility the Seahawks

may start both Dissly and Olsen  going with

a two tight end set. If not we will see them

on running downs for sure. 

Jake Hollister had a fine season last year

after the Seahawks lost Dissly. He was 

awarded with a new contract during the

off-season. Most likely we will see Hollister

on passing downs coming out of the slot.

Last season Hollister became one of Russell

Wilson's favorite receivers. We wish him

the best for sure.

Colby Parkinson rookie out of Stanford 

was drafted in the fourth round by the 

Seahawks. He had surgery during the 

off-season so he will miss the beginning

of the season. At his return he could come

in as a third tight end on running plays.

I am sure the Seahawks will bring him

along gently.

Luke Willson was brought back last season

when Will Dissly was hurt. He ended up

playing mainly special teams though did

play when they went to two tight ends.

The chances are likely he won't make the

team unless one or more of the Seahawks

tight ends are injured.

The thing about Willson though he is a 

fun guy to have around because of his

sense of humor.

The final tight end is Tyler Mabry a rookie

free agent out of Maryland signed by the

Seahawks in May. Most likely Mabry will

start the season on the practice squad. Without

any pre-season games seeing him on the

field during training camp won't happen 

a lot. I am sure he will get some reps but

likely with the group going to practice

squad with him.

Next week we will look at the final group

on the roster which is the offensive linemen.

After that the Seahawks will be in the middle

of training camp so we will see who have

been doing the best during camp. Go Hawks!

The Bullpen And Servais

Monday night the Mariners showed against

the Oakland A's the bullpen isn't very good

or the choice manager Scott Servais is making

not good or both.

Justus Sheffield pitched well for four innings

then struggled in the fifth inning. He ha a one

hitter going into the fifth inning. He ended up

loading the bases after a couple runs had scored.

The Mariners still had a chance, however, 

Servais brought in Bryan Shaw who hasn't

shown anything so far. In fact why is he on

the team still. By the time the fifth inning was

over the A's were leading 8-1.

The final score ended up being 11-1. Nestor

Cortes pitched the last two innings giving up

the final run. Though he hasn't done well why

not have him come in for Sheffield. At least

the Mariners acquired him in a trade instead

of someone they picked up off the waiver wire

whose best days are behind him.

The way the bullpen has been working so far

there seems to me no reason to have setup relievers

you might as well use them when taking out the

starter.

The Mariners could have used the choices of 

Matt Magill, Erik Swanson, Taylor Williams,

Yohan Ramirez instead of Shaw. If Shaw is

going to be on the team use him when they are

down 8-1 not making it 8-1. For us the fans and

media let's just release Shaw he doesn't have any

thing left. 

Vogelbach In Or Out

It has been a while since Dan Vogelbach

has been hitting. The Mariners need to 

get some home runs out of him or at least

more than two hits.

Obviously Vogelbach is struggling at the

plate. The Mariners gave him a few days

off but he has only two hits in seventeen

at bats. 

He has been a fan favorite but how long

should the Mariners hold onto him? I don't

really see him being part of the rebuilding

process.

At this point he is the Mariners designated

hitter. Evan White is the everyday first 

baseman. It would be nice  to put Vogelbach

on the field once in a while when White

needs a day off.

I don't think it helps when you are struggling

at the plate have to sit on the bench until

your next at bat. Some time on the field

would help.

We hope he gets back into it so the Mariners

have another player with power.

The days maybe numbered. What do you think?

Another Good Mariners Still Lose

Kendall Graveman pitched well not as good

as his other starting pitchers in the second 

time around. 

Graveman pitched into the fifth inning when

he got in some trouble. He gave up two runs

on three hits.

Dan Vogelbach was able to get a hit in the 

first inning to drive in Dylan Moore to take

early lead.

The difference in the game was rookie Anthony

Misiewicz giving up a three run homer when

he relieved Graveman.  Second three run homer

in consecutive game he pitched.  I wonder how

long he is going to stick around.

Kyle Lewis extended his hitting streak with

a home run to get the Mariners within reach

in the 8th inning. 

Kyle Seager who didn't start the game pinch

hit with two outs with a runner on first base

was able to produce and ended the game.

Monday the Mariners will face the A's in the

final game of the season. The Mariners will

see if they equal the series. Justus Sheffield 

will be on the mound.

The Mariners need the offense to wake up

again after being a sleep for two games. 

Mariners Lose Despite Kikuchi's Performance

Yusei Kikuchi in his second outing of the season

followed up what with a good performance unfortunately

the Mariners bullpen and lack of offense didn't help.

The Mariners ended losing 3-2 in ten innings after

leading 2-0.  Kikuchi went six innings giving up 

only three hits, a walk while striking out nine. 

This took place after Gonzales and Walker each

pitched outstanding games to. Fortunately Gonzales

and Walker the Mariners won those games.

The Mariners scored the two runs in the third inning.

Kyle Seager drove in both runs with JP Crawford

and Austin Nola. Seager now has ten rbi's on the

season while Nola was the only hitter for the Mariners

with more than one hit. Kyle Lewis was able to 

extend his hitting streak with a single.

Kyle Seager was the cleanup hitter on the night, 

however, none of the hitters after him were able

to get a hit on the night.  Only Evan White got on

base with a walk.

Kendall Graveman starts Sunday afternoon for

the Mariners. We are hoping to see him have

an outing like the other three starters as well.

Chad Pinder A's second baseman tied the game

in the seventh inning hitting a two-run homer

off of rookie reliever Nick Margevicius. 

For the first time able to see the new rule for

extra innings where the first batter goes to

2nd. Dan Altavilla pitching gave up a double

to pinch hitter Robbie Grossman scoring 

pinch runner Tony Kemp.

Unfortunately the Mariners were unable to

duplicate the feat in the bottom of the 10th.

So there goes a game the Mariners should 

have won. 

Walker's One Hitter

Taijuan Walker pitched a marvelous game

Friday night in the Mariners season opener.

First time Walker had started a game for the

Mariners in Seattle since September 2016.

He continues pitching like this he will have

a good record for a short season. Walker

gave up one hit in seven innings. Not bad

in your second start of the season. He walked

two while striking out eight.

The game looked like a pitching duel until

the fourth inning when the Mariners scored 

three runs then followed up with two more

in the fifth. The Mariners didn't score any

more in the game so Walker had to hold on

until he left the game but no problem there.

However in the eighth inning veteran Bryan

Shaw who the Mariners picked up just before

going to Houston to start the season didn't

pitch well. 

Shaw gave up three runs on two hits and

a walk. The opposite of Walker's performance.

There was a ball hit over the head of Dylan

Moore in right field. Only the eighth start

for Moore in right in his career so can't

fault him for not catching it. A regular

outfielder may have been able to get to

it but don't know for sure.

There is a good possibility Shaw may not

be around when the rosters have to be

trimmed this coming week. He currently

has an era of 18 after being his third outing.

Kyle Lewis continues his hot hitting extending

his streak to all eight games on the season. He

had two more hits driving in a run.  

The other Kyle in Seager hit a double to drive

in two runs. Seager is getting off to a very good

as well. He is hitting .290 with one home run

and 8 rbi's.

Taylor Williams came in the 9th inning to

close the game and record his second save.

He only gave up a walk for the night.

Saturday night Yusei Kikuchi will be making

his second start of the season for the Mariners.

We hope he can follow suit of Gonzales and

Walker having a better outing second time

around.

The Mariners are now 4-4 half a game behind

the Houston Astros. See if they can get a game

up over the five hundred mark.

Is there anything Kyle Lewis that surprises 

you. Can he jump over high buildings. LOL

Until next time enjoy the games.