Mariners In Second Place, Let The Good Times Roll!

May 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; The Seattle Mariners celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Kansas City 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Anyone remember that 8 game losing streak in April? Yeah, me either. Who cares that we are only 9 days into the month of May, the Mariners have not played ball like this in quite some time.

The Seattle Mariners have won 11 out of their last 14 games since that 8 game losing streak. They have been riding this streak through a strong offense and some solid pitching.

When is the last time we have seen the Mariners this successful with runners in scoring position? It really is ridiculous how many times we have scored with runners on and two outs this season.

I am not sure how much of that should be accredited to hitting coach Howard Johnson or the M’s finally playing to their full potential.

There have been a few not so bright and shining moments in all of this success. My biggest area of concern right now: shortstop. Brad Miller is struggling both offensively and defensively.

Over the last 14 games Miller has produced a triple slash of  .116/.191/.140 and has blown quite a few easy plays and would be outs that have led to runs. *See game 2 of the Mariners vs. Athletics doubleheader.

Do we have a big decision coming at some point this month when it comes to the struggling Miller?

Nick Franklin and Chris Taylor have to be chomping at the bit waiting to get a chance and to be honest, a stint in Triple-A might be exactly what Miller needs.

I would talk about the bullpen issues and the starting rotation issues, but I don’t think the struggles will last much longer.

Stephen Pryor pitched 3 innings only allowing 1 hit for the Tacoma Rainiers the other night. Erasmo Ramirez and Brandon Maurer are not starters and it will stay that way.

Hisashi Iwakuma is back in All Star form. He blanked the Royals last night, pitching 8 innings, striking out 7 and walking none.

The starting rotation will hopefully be back and better than ever by June as James Paxton and Taijuan Walker slowly make their way back.

News broke yesterday that they both have began playing long toss and are scheduled to have bullpen sessions on Friday (Paxton) and Sunday (Walker).

It is scary to think that we are playing this well and not even firing on all cylinders.

I don’t want to jynx us by making any crazy predictions so I will leave you with this.. let the good times roll and go Mariners!