Seattle Mariners Game Recap: M’s Knock-Off A’s in Peoria
The Seattle Mariners (7-7) shutout the Oakland Athletics (10-7) on Wednesday afternoon in Peoria. The M’s pitching staff was dominant this afternoon, but timely hitting late in the ballgame played a key role in the victory. Erasmo Ramirez (1-0, 2.00 ERA) picked up his first win of the spring after pitching four scoreless frames. Despite pitching well, Drew Pomeranz (0-2, 2.00 ERA) was saddled with the loss.
This game was essentially a pitchers duel, but the Mariners finally broke through in the fourth inning on Wednesday afternoon. Kyle Seager sparked a two out rally by driving a 1-1 knuckle curve over the head of right fielder Jason Pridie. The ball short hopped the wall, and Seager slid safely into second for a double. Newcomer Justin Ruggiano plated Seager on line drive to left field and the M’s took a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning.
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The Mariners nearly tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh. Following a Kyle Seager walk, Lloyd McClendon opted to bring in youngster Carlos Rivero to run for Seager at first base. Rivero advanced to second base on a Justin Ruggiano ground out. A’s pitcher Chris Bassit surprised everyone in the ballpark by spinning and firing the ball to second base to catch a napping Rivero. Logan Morrison was up to bat at the time, and three pitches after Rivero was picked off, LoMo hit a double into the right center field gap. Rivero would have scored easily on the double, but the M’s failed to extend their lead.
The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the eighth inning. Starting shortstop Brad Miller worked a leadoff walk to open the inning. Veteran utility man Willie Bloomquist hit a sharp ground ball into right field, putting runners on the corners with none out. Speedy outfielder James Jones doubled the Mariners’ lead by punching a ground ball through the left side of the infield. Following a Shawn O’Malley strikeout, Bloomquist came around to score from second on a Stefen Romero line drive to right field. Patrick Kivlehan added to his already impressive spring by slicing a 2 out RBI single to right field to give the Mariners a 4-0 lead.
Carson Smith was called on to shut the door in the ninth. Smith was dominant down the stretch last season in Seattle, but he has struggled with consistency this spring. The 25-year-old breezed through the inning, setting down the A’s in order to seal the Mariners’ victory. Smith generated great movement on his fastball this afternoon, and struck out Jason Pridie on a beautiful changeup.
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Before we preview what Thursday has in store for the Mariners, we will first take a gander at what stood out during Wednesday’s ballgame.
Next: Ramirez Pitches Four Shutout Innings
Mar 18, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (50) pitches against the Oakland Athletics at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Erasmo Ramirez Pitches Four Shutout Frames
Erasmo Ramirez was dealing on Wednesday afternoon against the Oakland A’s. Ramirez allowed just two base runners across four shutout innings today. Ramirez did a good job locating his pitches, and recorded two strikeouts. The 24-year-old right-hander has now started three games for the M’s this spring, and has allowed just 2 earned runs over the course of 9 innings pitched.
Erasmo Ramirez is currently competing for the final spot in the Seattle Mariners’ starting rotation. Ramirez has improved every time he has stepped on the mound this month, and Wednesday’s outing was by far his best. Taijuan Walker is still the heavy favorite to land the fifth starter gig, but Ramirez is pitching well this spring, and may find his way into the Mariners’ bullpen to start the season.
Next: Ramirez, Pries, Olson, and Smith Dominate
Mar 12, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Jordan Pries (74) on the mound in the first during a spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Stadium. The A
M’s Pitching Staff Dominates A’s Hitters
The M’s employed four pitchers in this afternoon’s masterful shutout of the Oakland Athletics. All four of the pitchers used by the Mariners on Wednesday spent the majority of last season in the minor leagues. Erasmo Ramirez got the game off on the right foot by hurling four scoreless frames to start. Jordan Pries picked up right where Ramirez left off by pitching three shutout innings. 25-year-old southpaw Tyler Olson has been electric so far this spring, and he pitched a perfect eighth inning on Wednesday. Carson Smith retired the A’s in order in the ninth to secure victory for the Mariners.
Jordan Pries has been a pleasant surprise this spring. After spending the bulk of 2014 with the Tacoma Rainiers, Pries has pitched 8 innings of 2 run ball in Cactus League action. Pries is unlikely to make an impact with the Mariners in 2015, but he could be a name to watch this season in Tacoma. I would not be surprised if Pries is given a chance to compete for a bullpen spot with Seattle next spring.
Tyler Olson’s incredible performance over the first two and a half weeks of spring training has to be the biggest Mariners’ storyline this spring. Olson entered camp as a complete unknown, and yet he has allowed just 1 hit over his first seven innings. Despite not having a fastball that will overpower his opposition, Olson has racked up 9 punch-outs. It is a dead heat right now between Olson and David Rollins for the second left-hander job in the M’s bullpen. Olson should see some time in Seattle at some point this season regardless of whether he breaks camp with the Mariners or is a mid-season call up.
Next: Jones, Romero, Kivlehan Put the Game Out of Reach
Mar 17, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder James Jones against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It is always nice to have a little bit of a cushion heading in the ninth inning. On Wednesday afternoon it was the young Mariners’ who extended the lead late. Ketel Marte was plugged in at first as a pinch runner for Brad Miller, and Marte showed off his wheels by advancing to third base on a single to right field. James Jones made a name for himself in Seattle last season, and he slapped a single into left field to give Seattle a two run lead. Patrick Kivlehan has been very impressive thus far in spring training, and his RBI single to right field in the eighth only supports the theory that he is close to being Major League ready.
James Jones is currently batting .267 with 6 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases across 30 at bats in Arizona. Jones can fly, and that sets him apart as a great option to pinch run for the Mariners late in games. Austin Jackson is set to hit free agency following this season, and Jones will be on a mission this summer to prove he is the right choice to supplant Jackson in 2016. The 26-year-old may have to wait for a mid-season promotion, but Jones is an exciting player to watch.
Next: What's Next for the M's?
Mar 4, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches against the San Diego Padres during a spring training baseball game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Mariners (7-7) will be playing under the lights for the first time this spring on Thursday night in Peoria. The M’s will host the Cleveland Indians (6-9) at the Peoria Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 7:05 PST. Taijuan Walker (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his fourth start of the spring for the Mariners. Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 3.00 ERA) will get the ball for Cleveland. Root Sports Northwest will be carrying the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.
Next: Seattle Mariners Tie Chicago White Sox in Glendale
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