Seattle Mariners Game Recap: Lose, Lose Situation

By Brian Helberg |

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The Seattle Mariners were faced with the unenviable task of being in two places at once this afternoon. The M’s played the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday in split squad action. Unfortunately, the Mariners came up on the losing end in both contests.

62. 3. 7. Final. 0

The Mariners played pretty well despite losing to the Royals on Thursday in Peoria. Felix Hernandez (0-2, 5.91 ERA) took the hard luck loss for the Mariners today, after allowing 1 run on 2 hits across 6 innings of work. Veteran right-hander Jeremy Guthrie (1-1, 3.52 ERA) was on point this afternoon, hurling 5.2 innings of shutout ball. Ryan Madsen retired the Mariners easily in the bottom of the 9^th to record his first save of the spring.

Kansas City broke through in the top of the 3^rd inning. Second baseman Christian Colon led off the frame by lacing a double down the left field line. Colon advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Speedster Jarrod Dyson lifted a fly ball to center field to bring Colon in to the score. Dyson’s sacrifice fly gave the Royals a 1-0 lead.

The score remained that way until the top of the 8^th. Danny Farquhar was called in to pitch the 8^th for the M’s, and his spring struggles continued. Veteran Ryan Roberts led off the inning by singling on a line drive to left field. Christian Colon followed by working a walk. Former Mariner Casey Kotchman advanced the runners to second and third on a ground out back to the pitcher. Ryan Jackson came through with a clutch 2 out single to center field to plate Roberts and Colon. Jackson’s single gave the Royals a commanding 3-0 lead.

Click here for the full box score of today’s game against the Royals.

Final. 1. 62. 15. 76

Roenis Elias and the Mariners got blown out today against the Brew Crew. Elias (0-2, 6.75 ERA) was roughed up, and suffered his second loss of the spring. Mike Fiers (1-1, 4.32 ERA) allowed just 1 run on 3 hits across 3.2 innings on Thursday afternoon to pick up the win.

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Obviously, the Brewers scored early and often in today’s game, but Kris Davis’s 1^st inning grand slam really set the tone. Second baseman Scooter Gennett also stood out, going 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI on the day. All Star backstop Jonathan Lucroy contributed 3 hits Thursday to pace the Brew Crew. Luis Jimenez rubbed salt in the M’s wound when he smashed yet another grand slam in the bottom of the 8^th inning to give Milwaukee a 15-1 lead.

The lone Mariners’ run was scored in the top of the 3^rd inning. Port Orchard, WA product Willie Bloomquist connected on a 1 out double to center field. Backup catcher Jesus Sucre scored Bloomquist on a sharp line drive single to left field. Unfortunately, that was all the offense Seattle could muster on Thursday against Milwaukee.

Click here for the full box score of today’s game against the Brewers.

The Mariners played great on Wednesday in a rare Cactus League night game, and both squads looked tired in today’s day games. This is perfectly understandable, and hopefully the M’s come out swinging in tomorrow’s game against the Royals.

Next: King Felix Reclaims his Throne

Mar 26, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws the ball during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

After scuffling last week against the Chicago Cubs, Felix Hernandez sparkled on Thursday afternoon. King Felix allowed just 1 run on 2 hits across 6 innings today. He dominated the Royals, striking out 4 and walking none. Hernandez did an excellent job locating all of his pitches. Felix kept the ball on the ground, retiring 12 hitters via the ground ball.

King Felix has now made 3 starts this spring, and he has faired reasonably well. He hurled 3 shutout innings against the Colorado Rockies in his spring training debut. However, he was lit up by the Cubs last week, surrendering 6 runs in 2.2 innings. Overall, King Felix is 0-2 with a 5.91 ERA across 10.2 innings pitched. Hernandez has recorded 6 strikeouts and has walked just 2 hitters. Based on today’s performance, I believe Felix is ready for opening day.

Expectations are sky high for the Seattle Mariners in 2015, and King Felix is a big reason why. He was robbed of the American League Cy Young Award last year, but he has the potential to win 20 games this summer in the Emerald City. Felix will likely make one final tune up start before getting the ball on April 6 against the Los Angeles Angels.

Next: Roenis Elias No Longer a Candidate for No.5 Starter

Mar 15, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Roenis Elias (29) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Things could not have gone any worse for Roenis Elias on Thursday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. He lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing 6 earned runs on 8 hits, with 1 strikeout and 3 walks. He struggled at times last season locating his fastball early in the count, and that issue plagued him again today.

Roenis Elias made 29 starts and posted a 3.85 ERA in his rookie season in 2014, but after today’s rough outing, his chances of opening the season in the M’s starting rotation went from slim to none. In fairness, Taijuan Walker has been so good this spring that Elias would have had to pitch a perfect game on Thursday to keep pace. The 26-year-old southpaw is 0-2 this spring, and he has posted a subpar 6.75 ERA across 14.2 innings.

Look for Elias to start the year with the Mariners’ triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. However, I expect to see the Guantanamo product start a handful of games this season with the Mariners.

Next: Lord Farquhar’s Struggles Continue

Jul 13, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Danny Farquhar (40) pitches to the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals gave Danny Farquhar fits on Thursday in Peoria. The M’s made the familiar call down to the bullpen to bring Farquhar in to pitch the 8^th inning. Farquhar looked shaky on the mound, allowing 2 hits and 2 runs across 0.2 innings pitched. He also issued a 4 pitch walk to Christian Colon.

Danny Farquhar has not been overly impressive thus far in spring training. The flame throwing reliever has allowed 5 runs on 10 hits across 8 innings of work in Cactus League action. Farquhar currently sports a disappointing 5.63 ERA. He has struck out 8 hitters, but he has also issued 4 free passes. Perhaps the 2 home runs he has allowed is the most disturbing number.

Lord Farquhar played a key role as the Mariners setup man in 2014, and hopefully he finds his footing once the games count. Many late inning relievers need the adrenaline rush to perform at their best, and Farquhar seems to fit that description.

Next: Looking Ahead

The Seattle Mariners will travel to Surprise, AZ for some Friday night baseball against the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 PST from Surprise Stadium. James Paxton (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of the spring for the Mariners, and Yordano Ventura (0-0, 10.29 ERA) will be on the bump for the Royals. Fans can listen to the game live on 710 ESPN, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch the Royals telecast on connected devices.

Next: Mariners Game Recap: Prince Tai Dazzles, M’s Cage Cubbies

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