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Mariners Game Notes: Cruz Looks to Extend Hitting Streak to 20

By Brian Helberg

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The Seattle Mariners (52-60) will play host to the Baltimore Orioles (56-54) on Monday night at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Vidal Nuno (0-2, 2.88 ERA) will be on the bump for the Mariners this evening, and Wei-Yin Chen (5-6, 3.32 ERA) will get the ball for the O’s. Root Sports Northwest will carry the series opener live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

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The M’s are fresh off taking 2 of 3 from the Texas Rangers this past weekend, and they enter play having won 6 of their last 9 games. Seattle enters play tonight trailing the American League West leading Houston Astros by 8.5 games. The Mariners are also just 8 games out in the race for the second wildcard spot in the AL.

Mariners’ skipper Lloyd McClendon and Orioles boss Buck Showalter have released the following lineups for tonight’s series lid-lifter:

Franklin Gutierrez Returns to M’s Lineup

Franklin Gutierrez has been dealing with the flu for the past few days, but the 32-year-old has been reinserted into the Mariners’ lineup on Monday night. Guti has been electric for Seattle in 2015, hitting .299 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI’s since being called up in late June. Gutierrez has hit .340 over the course of his career against the O’s, so his return could not have come at a better time.

Nelson Cruz and the Quest for 20

The 35-year-old slugger has been Mr. Everything for the Mariners in 2015, and Nelson Cruz will try and extend his hitting streak to a career high 20 games tonight. Cruz is hitting .422 with 6 doubles, 12 home runs and 16 RBI since the streak began on July 21st. Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Kipnis are the only other players in the big leagues to register hitting streaks of at least 20 games this season. Nelly also has a chance to tie Ken Griffey Jr. on Monday night for the longest extra-base hit streak in franchise history at 10 games.

Aug 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Jesus Montero (63) in the dugout in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Pick to Click

Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano are deserving of much of the credit for carrying the improved Mariners’ offense over the past month. However, Jesus Montero has made significant contributions in limited opportunities this season. After being left for dead by many following a lengthy PED suspension and weight issues, Montero has resurected his career this summer. He worked extremely hard last winter to get himself in shape, and the results speak for themselves in 2015. After hitting .346 in the Pacific Coast League with the Tacoma Rainiers, the 25-year-old was recalled to Seattle in July. Montero has hit safely in 8-straight starts, and I predict that streak will extend to 9 games tonight. Look for Jesus to go yard for the second consecutive game on Monday.

Final Score Prediction

The Orioles took 2 of 3 against the Mariners in May, but hopefully Seattle will fare a bit better this time around. Vidal Nuno was roughed up in his last start for the M’s, lasting just 3.2 innings and allowing 3 runs on 5 hits. However, the 28-year-old southpaw enters play with a 2.88 ERA across 19 appearances for Seattle since being acquired from Arizona in early June. The Mariners have combined to post a .162 batting average against Wei-Yin Chen. The Mariners chances appear bleak when you combine all these factors, but they have played much better as of late and hopefully that trend continues. I predict the M’s will win 3-2 in the series opener.

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