Mariners Lose Twin Bill

It would have been nice if the Mariners

had won at least one of the two games.

The importance though is to be ready 

for opening day and get off to a good 

start which the Mariners haven't done

the last two or three years.

It is important for the offense to score

more runs to take off the pressure on

the pitching. The starting pitching will

need to have Castillo, Kirby and Gilbert

to throw around one hundred with less

pressure to throw perfect pitches.  Kirby 

has good control so he could easily

go for seven innings at least. Gilbert

showed he could do that as well. Castillo

often throws more pitches then either

Kirby or Gilbert. The best would be to

not strike out as many batters unless

he is able to go zero and two more often

especially early in the game. Stay away 

from.a big inning from the opposing

team. When he is pitching well he is

awesome.

Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo will probably

throw 80 pitches a game depending how

they go. I could see them throw a little

over that depending the inning and outs

at the time. It will be important to throw

around 15 pitches per inning so they

can go six innings.  I am sure we will

see Emerson Hancock pitching some

starts as well. I wouldn't mind seeing

a six-man rotation on the road while

file at home. The schedule will determine

that too. Many homestands are nine

games and occasionally ten. It may 

depend where on the road they are

playing. On the east coast a six-man

would be nice though they likely have

a day off before the first game of the

road trip and after the last game. How

the schedule works on who they face

as well. It may take some planning

on how the rotation goes. If a pitcher

or two gets roughed up they might

want to insert a sixth starter. The top

three probably wouldn't want an extra

day off even if they had s rough outing

and threw a lot of pitches.  Having

Hancock in the bullpen maybe a good

idea too. They could shuffle him and

Woo in the bullpen.

In game one in which the Mariners lost

to Cleveland 4-1 they had only five hits.

Dylan Moore had a single leading off

the first inning scoring on a double by 

Polanco. Moore is having a good spring

at the plate. Makes him number one

for the utility job right now. Polanco had 

a second hit in the game.

Marlowe having a good spring had

a single as well.  Cole Tucker who

came in for Rojas at third had the

fifth hit.

In game two between the Rangers 

and the Mariners had a rocky start

by Logan Gilbert giving up two runs 

in the first inning followed by four

in the second with only getting one out.

The Mariners scored two in the first

inning followed by one in the third

and four in the fourth inning. The 

Rangers scored a run in the top

of the sixth  and the Mariners two

in the bottom of the sixth. The 

Mariners had a 9-7 lead at that point

but the Rangers had another run in

the seventh and won by scoring

two in the top of the ninth.

Julio Rodriguez went two for two

and a walk. He scored and drove

in a run too. Mitch Haniger had a 

solo home run in the 3rd inning.

Mitch Garver had the big hit of 

the game hitting a three-run homer

in the 4th. Cal Raleigh and Ty France

each drove in a run. France was on

a sacrifice fly. Like to see some of

those during the season.

The Mariners have an afternoon

game on Wednesday against

the Royals. No one listed to

start as of yet. 

Great news Nelson Cruz will be

throwing out the first pitch

on  opening day. It will be good to 

see him. Go M's. 

Seahawks Make Moves

The Seahawks cut Jamal Adams today.

Not a big surprise. Be interesting to see

whether anyone signs him or not.

Also Diggs was cut and Will Dissly

at tight end.  The Seahawks save

$27.5 million in salary space.

It will be interesting if they bring back

Tyler Lockett by restructuring his

contract or trade him.

The other two tight ends Fant and

Parkinson are free agents. May bring

one back if affortable or find free 

agent or in the draft. I would go with

two tight ends and one on the practice

squad. I would take one of the backup

lineman and use them in blocking

as an extra lineman. Ryan Grubb may

go with three wide receivers and maybe

a fourth at times depending who they

have.

See what happens next. Go Hawks!

Mariners Tuesday Split Squads

The Mariners have two games on

Tuesday with split squads. Logan 

Gilbert will start in Peoria while

Casey Lawrence who started the

opening game of camp will start 

on the road.

I though that George Kirby would

start after Castillo went Sunday.

Either he will start Wednesday or

moved back. Castillo is likely the

starter on opening day. Whether

it is Kirby or Gilbert in game two

and the other in game three doesn't

really matter. 

Game four of the regular season will

likely be Bryce Miller followed by Bryan

Woo in game five. Emerson Hancock 

could make an appearance if one of

the five isn't healthy.

Luke Raley has played a good amount 

of first base. Wonder if we will see Ty

France some at third base. Depending 

on health we could see Dominic Canzone

in left field. The choice over Cade Marlowe

at this point with Julio in center and 

Mitch Haniger in right field.

We know JP Crawford will be at shortstop

with Jorge Polanco at second. Josh

Rojas starting at third whether platooning

or not. I am not sure of Luis Urias as the

right handed bat at third. Cal Raleigh as

the regular catcher.

I am sure the road game on Tuesday

we will see combination of those

fighting for the utility spot though

the thought is Dylan Moore will have

it unless they trade him. Have to figure

someone will need a utility player especially a team who has a strong

hitting team. Moore though has been

hitting well this spring so far. Trading

him is who they would get in return.

Enjoy the game and let you know how 

things go. Go M's

Mariners Lose Again

Fortunately it is spring training as the 

Mariners lost to San Diego Padres

12-4. Luis Castillo who started couldn't

get any outs in the third inning gave

up three runs.Cade Marlowe hit a

two-run in the second inning to give

the Mariners temporary lead. The 4th

outfielder was expected to be Dominic

Canzone however Marlowe run for that

spot. Even if Marlowe starts the season

in triple A we will seem him at some

point.

Sam Haggerty started this game at

first base. His average shows likely

he will begin in triple A.

Josh Rojas so far has shown he will

be the left handed hitter platooning

at third base. He had a hit, a walk and

scored a run. Now will Luis Urias be

ready or start on the injured list to

be the right handed hitter at third.

Cole Young came and had a hit along

with driving in a run. The top prospect

may not start the season in Seattle

however still showing he is not to far 

off.

The Mariners have Monday off. On

Tuesday have split quad. Play Cleveland

on the road while Rangers at home. 

Starting pitching mentioned yet but

George Kirby should be one of them.

Go M's

Gonzaga Upset Of St. Mary's and More

Gonzaga who lost the first time 

against St. Mary's on home court

upset the #17 ranked team on 

theirs Saturday 70-57.

St. Mary's were undefeated in 

the West Coast Conference 

going into the final of the

regular season. St. Mary's

still wins the conference however

gives a great chance to be in

the NCAA tournament whether

they win the conference championship

coming up of not.

The Zags were led by Graham Ike

with 24 points. Ryan Nembhard 

pinched in with 20 points and a 

career 10 points. Ben Gregg was

the third in scoring with 12. Now

we see how they do in their 

conference tournament coming

up.

The Cougars beat UCLA in a close

game all the way though they won

by double figures 77-65. Statistically

it was close in shots made in the

field goals including 3 pointers. The

difference in the game was at the 

foul line.  The Cougars made  24 of

33 on the line while the Bruins shot

9 of 11. That is a difference of  15.

The Cougars were led by Jaylen

Wells with 27 points and Myles 

Rice had 18. The Cougars will 

face the Huskies next Thursday.

The Huskies were beaten by USC 

after winning against UCLA on

Thursday. USC 82 Washington 75.

The Huskies are a team not sure

of who will show up one game to

the next. It was the Huskies last

home game of the season and 

possibly coach Hopkins as well.

The Huskies outshot the Trojans

from the 3 point line however 

the Trojans did better from inside

the  line making 31 of 57 while

the Huskies made 25 of 60. Both 

teams made 12 shots from the

foul line. 

Thursday's game will be a rival

game. Though the Huskies haven't

done well on the road they could

beat the Cougars if they play good

ball. Beating the Cougars will help

heading into conference tournament.

The Huskies were led by Koren 

Johnson with 21 while Keion Brooks

Jr. had 20. With s talented group

the Huskies should have done better.

The Mariners lost to the Oakland

A's Saturday afternoon 12-8. 

Emerson Hancock pitched well

starting going two innings giving

up no hits and striking out three.

Trent Thornton who is trying to

make the ball club in the bullpen

gave up three runs in two-thirds

of an inning however only one

was earned. Austin Voth trying

to make it as well gave  up three

runs to. They were all earned.

Julio made his first appearance

of the spring in a game. He didn't

get a hit in two at bats.

Luis Castillo will start against the

San Diego on Sunday against Yu

Darvish. Be a good one to watch

early anyway. May see Castillo

go three innings this time. Go M's.

The Huskies At NFL Scouting Combine

The Huskies 13 players who are

showing their skills are being

impressive to those at the NFL 

Combine in Indianapolis according

to Sport's Illustrated Dan Raley.

One who was really impressive in

his 40 time was tight end Delvin 

Vulp who ran the fastest for his

position in 21 years.

Culp has been a backup for most

of his time at Washington however

not lack of trying the Huskies have

other good tight ends. His time

on the field he has shown his talent.

Over the years the Huskies have had

a lot of very good tight ends who have

gone on to the NFL. There should be

a spot for Culp. Most likely his skill

will be his speed at the tight end spot.

The Huskies will have a lot of players

drafted this year. Most if not all 13

players should be in some NFL training

camp even if they are not drafted. 

We wish the best to them all. Go Dawgs!

M's Lose To Colorado

Lucky spring training games don't

mean a lot besides getting ready 

for the season. Colorado 10 Seattle 9

The Mariners had three starting 

positions players go on Friday. 

Jorge Polanco, Ty France and Josh

Rojas. All three drove in runs. Rojas

had two hits including a home run.

The rest were players trying to make

the roster or minor leaguers.

This time Polanco, France and Rojas

had three at bats in a game after two

previous ones. I expect the same for

those who start over the weekend.

The outfield starters were Nick Solak

who signed on a minor league deal in

left, Sam Haggerty in center and Taylor

Trammell in right. Not sure the chance

any of the three will be on the opening

roster. Solak had a hit and drove in a

run. Haggerty scored a run though no

hit and Trammell had a hit with two walks.

He scored a run as well. 

Ryan Bliss was the lone regular starting

in the infield at shortstop. No hits after

having good outings before. Expect he

will start in Tacoma unless a roster

spot is open because of injury. Cole

Young went in for Polanco and had

a hit along with a run. His future looks

like may come sooner than later.

Harry Ford saw some action too. No

hit however did walk once. Also threw

out another runner. We are expected

to continue seeing a lot of Young

and Ford in games even if they begin

the year in the minors.

On the pitching side Bryan Woo didn't

have a good start though a bad bounce

to Polanco in the first inning didn't help.

It was his first outing so should see

improvement in each game.  

Emerson Hancock is scheduled to start

on Saturday. He is expected to be the

first starter to come along if the Mariners

need him. Whether he begins in the minors

or not. He is having a good spring so far.

Julio Rodriguez is expected to play his

first time of the spring on Saturday too. 

They will be facing the Oakland A's in

Peoria. Go M's.