The Seattle Mariners are starting off their second road trip like they did starting the season where they won only one game.
The Mariners are playing a four game series in Oakland before going to Detroit and Cleveland for three each before coming home. The Mariners have lost the two games in Oakland with two remaining. The two games were different from each other. The Mariners lost the first game 9-6 on Thursday where James Paxton had his first poor outing. The difference in the game happened in the seventh inning when Dan Altavilla gave up a three run homer. On Friday the Mariners announced that they were sending Altavilla down to triple A Tacoma to get things straightened out with his slider and fastball. I would not be surprised if he is back up again in the near future if he is able to correct them. In the meantime the Mariners recalled pitcher Chase De Jong from Tacoma to take his place. Most likely De Jong will only be up for a few days. He has been used as a starter in Tacoma and was supposed to start Friday’s game when he was summoned to Seattle. Most likely he will be used either in long relief or clean-up at the end of the game if he pitches at all for the Mariners. Steve Cishek currently is doing a rehab assignment with Tacoma. The Mariners are expected to activate him in a few days and then De Jong will return to Tacoma.
Friday’s game Iwakuma pitched for the Mariners for five and a third inning. Though he pitched a better game than his last outing he was recorded with the loss. He gave up two home runs in the game. In his history I see that most of the runs that Iwakuma gives up are the home run variety.
The Mariners one run came in the third inning off of a triple. I am sure everyone can guess who got the triple in the game. No other than right fielder Mitch Haniger who continues to be the Mariners best player so far and I am not sure what else we can say about him.
The Mariners chore players in the middle of the lineup have been Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager however Mitch Haniger along with Taylor Motter are giving consideration to be added on along with Jean Segura when he comes off the disabled list. Nice to have a good set of players to depend on and now the Mariners need to get Leonys Martin to get out of his offensive slump along with Danny Valencia and Mike Zunino.
Speaking of Zunino he has had a few times hitting doubles however he hasn’t hit any home runs as of yet. On Friday night he was supposed to have started the game however the Mariners replaced him with backup catcher Carlos Ruiz. There was no known reason why Ruiz replaced Zunino because he is healthy. The Mariners do play a Saturday afternoon game so the coaching staff may have decided to have him start on Saturday instead. I am sure we will know more especially when the Mariners announce their starting lineup for the game.
Coming off his best outing of the season Ariel Miranda will start Saturday’s game. The Mariners will need another good game pitched by Miranda to stop this two game losing streak. On Sunday Gallardo is expected to start once again for the Mariners. Felix then will start the first game in Detroit. We hope that the Mariners can turn things around Saturday. Go M’s.
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