Mariners Pitching Woes Continue, Blue Jays Take Advantage

For the Seattle Mariners, their strength of the 2014 season has been their pitching. While fighting for their potential playoff lives, this is the worst time for this season-long strength to become an Achilles heel.

James Paxton was torched for seven hits and nine runs (8 ER) in 2.2 IP while walking six, yes SIX as the Blue Jays lit up the Mariners 14-4.

In yet another seemingly must-win situation, the Mariners actually started off on the right foot. An RBI double by Robinson Cano in the top of the 1st gave Paxton a 1-0 lead before he took the mound.

However, a one-out single and back-to-back walks loaded the bases for the Blue Jays in the bottom of the 1st. Danny Valencia tripled to clear the bases and later scored on a single by Steve Tolleson. It was 4-1 Jays after one inning.

After that, it was all Blue Jays. They tacked on 10 more runs off Paxton, Tom Wilhelmsen, Brandon Maurer, Danny Farquhar and Lucas Luetge. The Mariners did manage three more of their own, but it was far too little too late.

Sep 22, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) reacts after Toronto Blue Jays runners advanced to second and third after a passed ball in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners needed a win to take advantage of the Royals losing their suspended game with the Indians. They Royals then won the full game after that, earning a split.

The Athletics also won, so now the Mariners sit two games back of Kansas City for the 2nd Wild-Card spot and three back of Oakland with six games to play.

The Mariners pitching staff has allowed 32 runs (the offense has only scored 8) and allowed 43 hits over the past three games. The Mariners are now 10-11 in the month of September.

BOX SCORE

Batting

Seattle

Batting

2B – R Cano (36, J Happ); L Morrison (18, J Happ)

HR – K Seager (25, 6th inning off J Happ 0 on, 1 Out), C Denorfia (2, 9th inning off S Nolin 0 on, 0 Out)

RBI – R Cano (80), K Seager 2 (94), C Denorfia (5)

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – A Jackson 1, L Morrison 1, C Taylor 1

Team LOB – 6

Fielding

E – C Taylor (6, throw)

Outfield assists – C Denorfia

PB – J Sucre

DP – 1 (C Taylor-B Miller-J Smoak)

Toronto

Batting

2B – D Valencia (16, J Paxton); J Mayberry (3, J Beimel)

3B – D Valencia (1, J Paxton)

HR – J Bautista (35, 5th inning off T Wilhelmsen 0 on, 0 Out), A Gose (2, 7th inning off D Farquhar 0 on, 0 Out), K Pillar (1, 6th inning off L Luetge 1 on, 2 Out)

S – S Tolleson

RBI – J Reyes (49), J Bautista 2 (103), A Gose (11), E Encarnacion 2 (93), D Valencia 3 (30), S Tolleson (15), K Pillar 2 (6)

2-out RBI – J Reyes, J Bautista, E Encarnacion 2, S Tolleson, K Pillar 2

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – J Reyes 1

GIDP – K Pillar

Team LOB – 7

Fielding

E – J Happ (1, throw)

Outfield assists – J Bautista

Pitching

Seattle

Toronto

WP – J Paxton, K Graveman

Pitches-strikes – J Paxton 68-34; B Maurer 33-24; T Wilhelmsen 10-8; L Luetge 23-13; D Farquhar 11-9; J Beimel 9-6; J Happ 99-66; K Graveman 10-7; S Nolin 18-10

Ground balls-fly balls – J Paxton 5-3; B Maurer 3-1; T Wilhelmsen 0-2; L Luetge 3-2; D Farquhar 1-1; J Beimel 3-0; J Happ 11-6; K Graveman 3-0; S Nolin 1-1

Batters faced – J Paxton 20; B Maurer 8; T Wilhelmsen 4; L Luetge 5; D Farquhar 4; J Beimel 4; J Happ 29; K Graveman 4; S Nolin 4

Game Details

Game Time: 2:48.

Umpires: HP–Cory Blaser. 1B–Jim Joyce. 2B–Marvin Hudson. 3B–Doug Eddings.

Weather: INDOORS

Wind: 0 mph, .

Attendance: 15,548.