Mariners Game Recap: Elias, Ruggiano Combine to Lead M’s Past O’s

The Seattle Mariners (18-21) took down the Baltimore Orioles (17-20) on Wednesday at Camden Yards, evening the series after losing the opener last night. Roenis Elias (1-1, 2.76 ERA) shut down the O’s tonight en route to his 1st victory of the season. Bruce Chen (1-3, 2.90 ERA) was credited with all 4 Mariners’ runs, and saddled with the loss against Seattle. Fernando Rodney was his typical unreliable self, but the M’s escaped with a 4-2 win.

The Mariners’ huge win tonight allows them to stay competitive in the American League West. Seattle currently sits in 3rd place, 8.0 games back of the division leading Houston Astros.

Roenis Elias made his first start of the season on April 28th, and it is no coincidence that the Mariners have performed much better as a team since he rejoined the M’s rotation. Elias was phenomenal tonight, allowing just 1 run on 6 hits across 7.2 innings of work. The 26-year-old southpaw struck out 4 and walked 0 tonight. His command this season is the reason for his success. 66 of Elias’ 96 pitches on Wednesday night found the strike zone. He has always had the stuff to be a top tier starter, but Elias looks like a complete pitcher for the first time in his career this season.

Bruce Chen has strung together an impressive season for the O’s, but he was roughed up by Seattle on Wednesday. Chen allowed 4 earned runs tonight on 8 hits across 7 innings. He too struck out 4 and walked 0, but unlike Elias, he surrendered a key 2-run home run. The Orioles’ bullpen did a nice job keeping the M’s off the scoreboard in relief.

May 20, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Justin Ruggiano (12) doubles during the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Ruggiano proved tonight to the Mariners’ brass that he is deserving of more playing time. The M’s 4th outfielder led the way offensively on Wednesday night, going 2 for 4 with a double, home run and 2 RBI’s. Mike Zunino and Chris Taylor added the other 2 Mariners’ runs on a double and triple respectively. Zunino and Taylor both entered the night hitting well below the Mendoza line, and hopefully tonight’s strong showing will spurn them onward. As per usual, Nelson Cruz was amongst the top performers. Cruz went 2 for 4 in his former stomping grounds, and raised his batting average to an astronomical .351.

The Orioles were mostly silenced by the magic that was Roenis Elias, but Adam Jones once again made his former club regret pulling the trigger on the worst trade in Mariners’ history. Jones is a star, and tallied 3 hits in the loss. Jones is now hitting .343 on the campaign. Jimmy Paredes and J.J. Hardy were responsible for the O’s runs tonight.

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As disappointing as the first month of the season was, the Mariners have played like the team we all knew they could be over the last 2 weeks. Seattle has won 7 of their last 11 games, and predictably, the pitching staff has been the key reason for the turnaround. The opposition has scored more than 4 runs just once during the last 11 games. This is the M’s winning formula, and if they can keep it going, the playoffs are realistic. It has not been an easy time for Mariners’ fans, but have faith, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The Seattle Mariners (18-21) will look to take the series tomorrow afternoon in the rubber of their 3-game series against the Baltimore Orioles (17-20). First pitch is scheduled for 9:35 am PT Thursday morning, so no late night drinking M’s fans, we need to be well rested to support our guys’ in the AM! J.A. Happ (3-1, 2.98 ERA) will look of this 4th win of the young season when he gets the ball tomorrow. Chris Tillman (2-5, 6.34 ERA) always seems to pitch well against his former organization, and he will toe the rubber for the O’s in the series finale. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live, and MLB.tv Subscribers can watch on connected devices.

Next: Mariners News: M's Sign RHP Kevin Gregg to Minor League Deal

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