Look Forward To This Weekend Edgar

While the current Mariner players try to snap a six-game losing streak we get to see the Baseball Hall-Of-Fame honor Edgar Martinez.

I believe this will be special beyond the induction of Griffey Jr because Edgar played his whole career in Seattle.

Edgar was on the two best years in Seattle Mariner baseball history. The first was 1995 when they came from a deficit in August to tie the Los Angeles Angels at the season’s end then win the final game over the Angels to make the playoffs for the first time.

All of us Mariner fans have seen the video of him knocking in Joey Cora and Junior to beat the Yankees. We will never forget to see the grin of junior when the other Mariner players pile on him.

The other season was 2016 when the Seattle Mariners won 116 games to tie the Chicago Cubs for the most ever wins in the history of the major leagues. Unfortunately, the Mariners were not able to make the World Series losing to the Yankees. If it were not for 9/11 which I am sure we all wish had not happened they probably would have made and won the World Series. 

Edgar Martinez was on that team in 2001 as well. What more can we say for the legend of the Mariners. There is a street named after him along with Dave Niehaus. Our favorite play by play announcer who made the hall-of-fame as well.

Not only is Edgar in Cooper’s Town so is Junior along with fellow teammates Jay Buhner, Jamie Moyer, Dan Wilson and Randy Johnson. I am sure there are other of his other teammates making the way besides a lot of fans. I wish I could be there.

I visited the baseball hall-of-fame in late May, 2011. It was an experience I will never forget. I hope to make it there again so I can see these great men of baseball past.

So we hope the Mariners can beat the Angels this weekend in Seattle to help Edgar make it in on Sunday. I am sure those on the team this year who were on the team last year will be thinking of Edgar as well since he was the team’s hitting coach. I am sure those who get to be coached to whatever degree by Edgar in the future will be honored to hear his words about hitting.

Thank you Edgar for the memories; we look forward to hear your speech whether live or not. I am sure we will want to listen to your words over and over again just like the video in 1995. I am sure they will show the video during his introduction into the hall-of-fame.

Losses Continue For Mariners

Right now losses continue for the Mariners. Be really interesting to see whether   they will have some wins coming up the rest of July or not. Thursday is an off-day then action continues on Friday with a three game series against Los Angeles Angels at home.

This month the Mariners are having a lot of off days. Not only two this week they have two more next week as well. We wonder if that is a good thing or not. So far they haven’t won a game since the all-star break so may not be good at all. It allows the players to think too much, at least that is how I see it any.

Wednesday the Mariners lost to the Oakland A’s for another two-game sweep. The final was Oakland 10 Seattle 2.

The Mariners scored their two runs in the second inning when Dylan Moore hit a triple driving in Tim Beckham followed by Dee Gordon driving in Moore.  The A’s scored two runs in the bottom of the second when Jurickson Profar hit his first of two-run home runs off of opener Erik Swanson.

Erik Swanson was called up on Tuesday to be the opener on Wednesday. I am not sure why they allowed Swanson to go two innings. It didn’t help Tommy Milone who came in the third inning. He pitched four and one-thirds innings giving up five runs on five hits. Of the five hits three of them were home runs. Next time go back to one inning for the opener.

What was real interesting Milone was warming up in the second inning then was sat down after Swanson gave up the home run. He had to get up again to warm up for the third inning. I hope they learned to enter him at the beginning of the second inning.

Cody Gearrin came in for Milone to finish of the seventh inning. He did fine, however, Matt Festa gave up three runs in the eighth inning including the Profar home run.

I am sure manager Scott Servais is learning the bullpen for the Mariners isn’t very good. The Mariners will need to look to have a new one next year. I am sure there will be other changes next year as well but the bullpen will have to be the main one. I will get back to that another time. Go M’s.  

Mariners Swept in Anaheim

Friday night the Mariners were thrown a no-hitter against them, and then Saturday they were beaten once again. On Sunday things did look on the bright side for a while leading 3-1 which included a solo home run by Austin Nola his second home run on the season and solo home run by Domingo Santana.
The Angels scored a couple runs in the fifth inning to tie the game at 3-3. Kikuchi was relieved in the fifth inning with no outs. The score stayed the same until the eighth inning when Anthony Bass allowed a couple hits and was relieved by Roenis Elias with two outs.
The Angels had rookie Matt Thaiss at the plate. He isn’t even hitting .200 however Elias gave up a home run scoring three runs to take the win away from the Mariners. Not only is Thaiss not hitting well the home run was his first in the major leagues.
Elias has been struggling on the mound in his last several outings. I have heard suggestions in trading him. Too bad Dipoto didn’t pull the plug on a trade already because now Elias value isn’t as great.
Getting swept in the first series after the all-star break isn’t a good sign. The Mariners now go to Oakland to take on the A’s. They have Monday off then return home against the Angels on Friday. We hope the Mariners can win at least one game against the A’s. After the Angels the Texas Rangers come in to face the Mariners.
The highlight this week could be whatever trade or trades Dipoto can pull off. He seems to be taking his time in doing so. I am sure he is talking with other teams however I wish we got some news on trades.
It would be nice to trade some players who have no future in Seattle or in the case of one Mac Williamson release him. Whatever the case may be enjoy the Mariners day off on this Monday. Go M’s.

Tyler Skaggs Honored Mariners No-Hit

It was nice to see how the Angels honored their fallen teammate on Friday night, however, did the Mariners help out so much that they didn’t get a hit in the game. In fact, if Omar Narvaez hadn’t walked it would have been a perfect game.

We will miss you Tyler Skaggs. We wish you were still here to start against the Mariners. Though we would still root for our home team it would be good to see your pitching too.

I am not sure why the Mariners haven’t figured out they shouldn’t be pitching to Mike Trout. After the leadoff double, Mike Leake should have walked Trout to give a chance for a double play. The way he pitched though it wouldn’t have made a bit of difference, but we don’t know that for sure.

I am sure we hope this is not a sign for the second half of the season. I wonder what has happened to Dee Gordon’s defense anyway. I wondered if he was thinking at all when looking for making a double play and dropping the ball. Not at a good time either.

On the positive side at least the Mariner’s box score is easy to read. Just kidding by the way.

The Mariners haven’t announced who will be pitching on Saturday night so I expect they will be going with the opener followed by Wade LeBlanc. Sunday Yusei Kikuchi is scheduled to pitch. Oh by the way the good news Kikuchi and his wife had a son born over the all-star break. You can’t have a better all-star break for sure.

Now we have to keep our chins up. I hope the Mariners do the same. It would be nice to win as many or close to as losses. Have a great day and until next time.

Oakland Takes Series

The Mariners continue to lose series which I guess we expected at the beginning of the season though they did get off to a great start. The important thing is to improve while the season is going on which isn’t always easy to find.

The Mariners won the middle of the three games series 6-3 behind the pitching of Marco Gonzales who has pitched well for the past month. Also, had home runs from Dan Vogelbach (Mr. All-Star) and Kyle Seager.

Sunday though the game started off not so good with opener Matt Carasiti going only a third of an inning giving up five runs; three of the runs were right away on a home run by first baseman Matt Olson.

Wade LeBlanc came in as scheduled. He had an excellent game going six and two-third innings giving up one run which was a home run in the second inning. Matt Wisler made his Mariner debut on Sunday giving up one run a homer in the eighth inning. Matt Festa finished the game in the 9^th inning. He gave up no hits in his one inning.

The player of the game for the Mariners was catcher Omar Narvaez who had two home runs in his four hits and drove in all four of the Mariner runs. I would say that is a career day. He now has 14 home runs which is a career high for him in a season. He is leading the Mariners in hitting with average of .296.

The final score was 7-4. Now the players can relax over the all-star break. We hope to see more improvement in the second half though they have played more than 81 games so far.

Mike Leake is scheduled to start Friday against the Angels. Saturday’s game they have no announced starter yet however I expect it will be the opener whoever that might be. Sunday Yusei Kikuchi will finish the series. The Mariners have Monday off which is strange after the all-star break. They will be in Oakland taking on the A’s next week with Marco Gonzales going on Tuesday. I will give you a break on the Mariners this week except let you know how Vogelbach does in the all-star game and who the Mariners trade if anyone.

Cardinals Take Series in Seattle

The Seattle Mariners were looking to win the series this week against the St. Louis Cardinals at home, however, things changed quickly.

After winning 5-4 on Tuesday, the Mariners looked like they would take the series leading 2-0 going into the 9^th inning on Wednesday, however, the bullpen melted while the Cardinals scored five runs  to snatch the game away from the Mariners.

Thursday afternoon the Cardinals took care of business winning 5-4. The Mariners made the game close once again but could not hold off St. Louis. JP Crawford continued to hit well having a solo home run in the first inning then driving in a run later.

The Cardinals tied the score in the 3^rd inning with a home run then the Mariners took a two-run lead in the bottom of the third inning, however, the Cardinals on another home run this time a two-run shot tied the game in the fourth, however, Tim Beckham hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to give the Mariners a 4-3. Unfortunately it was the last time the Mariners scored a run. The Cardinals scored two more runs in the 7^th inning.

Again the blame could be put on the bullpen, however, there were a couple balls that were hit just beyond Dee Gordon. I would have thought Gordon could have gotten to the balls but I am sure the Mariners had the shift on. The Cardinals scored at least two if not three runs because of the shift.

All five runs the Mariners gave up were recorded to Tommy Milone although Matt Festa came in giving up a hit that allowed the Cardinals to score the two runs in the seventh inning. The positive coming out of the game was the relief pitching of Dan Altavilla who looked like the pitcher the Mariners wanted him to be. He pitched the 9^th inning giving up no hits and striking out a batter giving the Mariners a chance to win. Right now it looks like Altavilla has his control under way which could help the Mariners the rest of the way.

The Mariners acquired another pitcher on Thursday. They picked up Matt Wisler from the San Diego Padres for cash considerations. Wisler had been Dfa’d by the Padres a few days earlier. He looks like another reclamation project for the Mariners. He has been used in starting and relieving in the major leagues. Most recently he has been used primarily in relief. It would be nice if the Mariners could help him out like they have Austin Adams.

The Mariners now take on the Oakland A’s over the weekend just before the all-star break. I am sure everyone is looking forward to having a break.  The Mariners will start the series with Yusei Kikuchi going Friday followed by Marco Gonzales on Saturday. The Mariners haven’t announced who will pitch Sunday; however, I expect it will be an opener before Wade LeBlanc comes in the second inning.  Anyone’s guess who will start on Friday against the Angel’s down in Anaheim after the all-star break.  Go M’s.

Astros Sweep Mariners

It is getting pretty routine. After beating the Milwaukee Brewers two out of three games the Mariners decided to be swept by the Houston Astros. At least the first two games they were in it until the tenth inning.

The Mariners offense didn’t do a good job of scoring runs in this series. Of course, the Astros have a pretty pitching staff as well. Hopefully, they will return home to have a good home stand before the all-star break.

The final score in the game was Houston 6 Mariners 1. Marco Gonzales pitched five innings giving up three runs. I was hoping he would continue his winning streak intact for the month of June. Mike Wright pitched the final three innings where he gave up three runs with two being earned.

The Mariners will face the St. Louis Cardinals for three games and then finish up before the all-star break with three against the Oakland A’s. Matt Carasiti will start Tuesday’s game as the opener. I expect Wade LeBlanc will come in the second inning. So far Carasiti has done a good job as the opener. He likely will start again on Thursday as the opener before Tommy Milone.

Speaking of the all-star game Sunday it was announced that Daniel Vogelbach made the team. I expect they wanted him for the home run derby.  Dee Gordon missed another game. If I were the Mariners I would put him on the disabled list and then he would be ready to go after the all-star break.

Does anyone know who they think will be traded before the trading deadline?  Mike Leake is the likely one. The Mariners might be able to get some good prospects for Vogelbach since is going to the all-star game. Maybe good timing although I am sure they want to keep him but with the right package why not.

It would be nice if the Mariners could go 4-2 at home before the break. Go M’s.

Milwaukee Brewers Avoid Sweep

The Seattle Mariners had one of their best series on the season; however, they were unable to sweep the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers were able to beat the Mariners 4-2 Thursday afternoon. Now the Mariners move on to play the Astros in Houston Friday night.

Mike Leake pitched well for the Mariners except in the fourth inning when he struggled. He gave up a three-run homer to shortstop Orland Arcia batting ninth for the Brewers hit a three-run homer. The Brewers did score a run prior to Arcia’s home run when pitcher Chase Anderson was able to put down a suicide squeeze bunt.  Leake pitched six innings giving up eight hits, walking a batter and striking out five.

The Mariners scored their two runs in the sixth inning when Daniel Vogelbach and Tim Beckham each hit doubles. Vogelbach was able to bring home Domingo Santana and Beckham brought home Vogelbach. It was the second game in a row the Mariners didn’t hit a home run. Vogelbach hit the only home run in the series in the first game.

Kyle Seager missed two games against the Brewers after starting in game one. He hurt his right hand early on in game one. Tim Beckham played in game two and three in Seager’s spot. By the way, Seager injury that kept him out until May was to his left hand. Seager is expected to play in the Houston series though not sure whether he will in game one or not.

Mariners Take Opener in Milwaukee

The Seattle Mariners are in Milwaukee taking on the Brewers in a three game series before finishing off the week and the month of June in Houston against the Astros. The Mariners didn’t look like the team is in dead last of the American League West while the Brewers are second in the National League central a game behind the Chicago Cubs.

The Brewers scored a run in the first inning. I am thinking not again. For one thing the Mariners hadn’t won a game in interleague play as of yet. The Mariners though scored four runs in the third inning including a two-run mammoth home run off the bat of Daniel Vogelbach. I have to say mammoth is used a lot when it comes to home runs from Vogelbach. It was his 19^th of the season leading the Mariners. Also, it was the only home run the Mariners had for the night.

The Mariners had two more runs in the fourth inning followed by another run in the fifth inning making the score 7-1. Marco Gonzales who had been cruising after giving up the lone run in the first inning had trouble in the fifth inning giving up two runs. I thought the Mariners should have taken him out of the game after the second run scored since he had given up four hits as well. I didn’t want him to squander the big lead the Mariners had; however, he was able to get out of it. So the Mariners were leading 7-3.

Corey Gearrin came in the sixth inning replacing Gonzales. He gave up one walk; however, with two outs the Mariners decided to go with Austin Adams who had an outstanding time pitching an inning and a third striking out three. He looked like an animal out there throwing his wicked slider that was really working. He continues pitching this week the Mariners certainly have a good pitcher to bring in the late innings against the other team’s tough middle of the lineup.

The Mariners ended up scoring a final run in the ninth inning when Kyle Seager hit a double the second hit of the game for him. He moved over to third base on a grounder that made it two outs. It looked like he could end at third base with a final out of the inning; however, Tim Beckham who was pinch hitting for the pitcher it a slow grounder to third base that ended at the bag scored Seager.

There was thought that Roenis Elias would pitch the ninth inning but with Seager scoring they decided to go with Matt Festa who ended up getting all three batters including striking out the first two. Final: Seattle 8 Milwaukee 3.

The Mariners haven’t announced their starter for Wednesday night. They will go with an opener followed by Wade LeBlanc. Mike Leake is scheduled to start the final game of the series on Thursday. Although the opener hasn’t done well for the Mariners Wade LeBlanc had done quite well on most occasions coming into the game though he usually has had to with the team already behind. We hope for a different result from the opener on Wednesday night.

News came out that the Mariners had put Tayler Scott on waivers before sending him down to Tacoma. The Baltimore Orioles decided to pick Scott off of waivers. I am not sure why the Mariners would do that except they needed the 40-man roster spot. Although he didn’t do great while in Seattle I thought he had a lot of talent to help the Mariners not only this year but in the future. I would have put a couple of other pitchers ahead of Scott if they needed the spot. I wish the best to him in Baltimore, and I hope he succeeds.  No other news as of Wednesday morning but we all know with Dipoto we could hear about something anytime. Go M’s.

Mariners Take Series Over Orioles

It shouldn’t be a big surprise; however, the Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles Sunday 13-3. It means the Mariners took three out of four games; the only loss took place Saturday afternoon.

Both the Mariners and the Orioles scored a run in both the first and second innings then the third inning it was all Mariners scoring eight runs to put the game away. The Mariners did something we would like to see more often they hit a lot of singles in the third inning. All the runs happened because of the singles hit except one and that was a sacrifice fly by Omar Narvaez which actually was the first out of the inning.

The Mariners scored two more runs in the fourth inning on a two-run homer by Mac Williamson. Though he hasn’t had a lot of hits they do count well when he does. The Orioles scored their third run in the in the sixth inning and the Mariners tacked on one more in the seventh inning.

Mariners brought up two relievers on Sunday from Tacoma. They both pitched in the game. Matt Carasiti relieved for Kikuchi in the seventh inning striking out three batters. His control was excellent in the game. Something we haven’t seen much from the relievers. The other reliever was Mike Wright who pitched the final two innings. He gave up a hit but struck out two batters as well. He had been scheduled to start Sunday for the Tacoma Rainiers so going to innings not a big deal for him.

The Mariners sent down Gerson Batista to Tacoma. He has a wicked fastball going upper 90s but having control problems. He will be back with the Mariners sometime this season I expect. Also, the Mariners released lefty Jesse Biddle who they had acquired earlier from the Atlanta Braves. He had struggle pitching for the Mariners, and to add Carasiti and Wright to the 40-man roster they had to designate Biddle for assignment.

The Mariners had to transfer Chasen Bradford to the 60-day injured list to make room for the two relievers as well. Bradford is on the 60-day injured list because of a strained right forearm. Right now the Mariners are not sure whether he needs surgery or extensive rehab. We hope things go well for Bradford because he can be a good part of the Mariners’ bullpen.

The Mariners have Monday off before resuming action on Tuesday at Milwaukee against the Brewers. This allows Marco Gonzales who will start Tuesday and the rest of the starting rotation an extra day off. The Mariners will play three games in Milwaukee followed by three more in Houston to finish off June. The Mariners right now are 10-12 for June so they do have a change to break even or have a winning record for the month though not an easy task since the Brewers and Astros are good teams.

The Mariners will start off July at home taking on the St. Louis Cardinals for three games then three more against the Oakland A’s which is followed by the all-star break. The rest of July the Mariners will play mostly division rivals Oakland, Los Angeles and Texas. The only team outside the division will be the Detroit Tigers where the Mariners will play four games them at home near the end of the month. Go M’s.