Seattle Mariners Shut Out On Jackie Robinson Day

Apr 15, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners line up for the national anthem prior to the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

So much for that. After the offensive explosion in backing Roenis Elias‘ first major league win on Monday, the Seattle Mariners bat went cold again on Tuesday as they were shut out by the Texas Rangers 5-0.

On a day in which baseball remembers the great Jackie Robinson, the Mariners could do little in his name besides wearing his number 42.

Lloyd McClendon switched things up, moving the lineup around today and it just plain didn’t work. Justin Smoak was dropped to the 7th spot with Corey Hart following Robinson Cano and Stefen Romero batting 5th.

The Mariners managed seven hits including five off starter Robbie Ross Jr, who pitched 7.2 IP of shutout ball to earn the win. But Seattle left nine men on base and just couldn’t deliver the clutch hit when it mattered.

It was a quick game at 2 hours and 22 minutes, mostly because the Mariners were extremely impatient at the plate. No walks were drawn by Mariners hitters in this game, the first time this season that has happened.

The result was the 3rd shutout thrown against Seattle in the first 13 games of the season.

Blake Beavan, making a spot start in place of James Paxton, allowed six hits in four innings but only allowed two runs, they were both solo homers by Prince Fielder and Kevin Kouzmanoff. I’m not entirely sure why Beavan didn’t come out for the 5th inning, he only threw 63 pitches.

The bullpen held, until Tom Wilhelmsen came in for the 8th. The Bartender allowed a double in between two lineouts and appeared to be out of trouble. But after intentionally walking Fielder, Kouzmanoff doubled in both Elvis Andrus and Fielder. Kouzmanoff then scored on the next play, a single by Mitch Moreland.

Kyle Seager followed up yesterday’s solid performance with an 0-for-4 day. Seager has been the topic of discussion for many bloggers and sports-talk hosts and will eventually turn things around.

The Mariners look to put some runs on the board tomorrow as Felix Hernandez takes the bump opposite Yu Darvish. First pitch is set for 5:05 PM.

For more on Taijuan Walker‘s scratched start from his rehab assignment in Tacoma, click here.

BOX SCORE

Batting

Seattle

Batting

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – S Romero 1, D Ackley 1

Team LOB – 9

Fielding

DP – 1 (B Miller-R Cano-J Smoak)

Texas

Batting

2B – E Andrus (3, T Wilhelmsen); K Kouzmanoff 2 (3, J Beimel, T Wilhelmsen)

HR – P Fielder (1, 2nd inning off B Beavan 0 on, 0 Out), K Kouzmanoff (1, 2nd inning off B Beavan 0 on, 0 Out)

S – M Moreland

RBI – P Fielder (4), K Kouzmanoff 3 (5), M Moreland (4)

2-out RBI – K Kouzmanoff 2, M Moreland

Runners left in scoring position, 2 out – A Rios 1, R Chirinos 1

GIDP – E Andrus

Team LOB – 5

Running

CS – E Andrus (2, 2nd base by B Beavan/M Zunino), A Rios (2, 2nd base by D Leone/M Zunino)

Pitching

Seattle

Texas

IBB – P Fielder (by T Wilhelmsen)

HBP – B Miller 2 (by R Ross Jr

Pitches-strikes – B Beavan 63-38; D Leone 19-14; J Beimel 10-6; T Wilhelmsen 23-12; R Ross Jr

Ground balls-fly balls – B Beavan 5-7; D Leone 2-0; J Beimel 2-0; T Wilhelmsen 1-1; R Ross Jr

Batters faced – B Beavan 16; D Leone 6; J Beimel 5; T Wilhelmsen 7; R Ross Jr

Game Details

Game Time: 2:22.

Umpires: HP–Mark Carlson. 1B–Ted Barrett. 2B–Will Little. 3B–Paul Schrieber.

Weather: 63 degrees, Clear.

Wind: 6 mph, In From Center.

Attendance: 26,628.