Seattle Mariners Game Recap: Royals Trounce M’s Again

Mar 11, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher

Yordano Ventura

(30) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Kanas City Royals beat up on the Seattle Mariners for the second consecutive game on Friday night in Surprise. The M’s left some of their key offensive contributors back in Peoria, and it came back to bite them. James Paxton (1-1, 2.57 ERA) was off his game tonight, and was credited with his first loss of the spring. Yordano Ventura (1-0, 5.14 ERA) was phenomenal, pitching 7 shutout frames, and collecting his first victory of the spring.

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The Royals got on the board early in Friday night’s ballgame; plating 2 runs in the bottom of the 1^st inning. James Paxton issued a 4 pitch leadoff walk to Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar. With 2 out in the inning, Eric Hosmer launched a rocket into the right field bullpen. The homer was the 3^rd of the spring for the Royals first baseman, and gave Kansas City a 2-0 lead.

KC built on their early lead in the bottom of the 4^th inning. Lorenzo Cain reached first base following a fielding error by second baseman Tyler Smith. All Star backstop Salvador Perez ripped a 2 out double down the left field line to score Cain from second base. Mike Moustakas cashed in Perez with a 2 out double of his own. James Paxton issued back-to-back walks to load the bases for the Royals. Matt Anderson replaced Paxton, but Anderson walked in a run to give the Royals a commanding 5-0 lead after 4 innings.

The Mariners finally pushed a run across in the top of the 8^th inning. Mike Zunino and Dustin Ackley worked consecutive walks to lead off the frame. Tyler Smith connected on an RBI single to left field to bring the M’s to within 4 runs. Unfortunately, that was as close as Seattle could get tonight.

The full box score can be found here.

Next: James Paxton Struggles

Mar 22, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) looks on during the game against the Texas Rangers at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

James Paxton was making just his second start of the spring on Friday night, and he looked rusty. Paxton lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits. Only 2 of those runs were earned, but Pax had serious command problems throughout. He struck out 1, and walked 3 on the night. Of the 68 pitches Pax hurled, only 36 found the strike zone. He was missing up and down, and inside and out. The only positive tonight was the fact that the Ladner, BC native threw close to 70 pitches, and exited the game healthy.

Paxton pitched 3 shutout innings last week in his first start of Spring Training against the Texas Rangers, but he was far from dominant. The 26-year-old southpaw has now allowed 5 runs, 2 earned across 7.0 innings pitched. Pax has issued 4 free passes, and has posted just 3 strikeouts. Jazzy James will look to finish on a high note next week in his final Cactus League start.

Next: Yoervis Medina’s Strong Spring Continues

Jul 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Yoervis Medina (31) pitches to the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners called on Yoervis Medina to pitch the 6^th inning in tonight’s contest. The flame-throwing right-hander was perfect against the Royals, retiring all three batters he faced. Medina has been electric this spring, posting a 0.90 ERA across 10.0 innings pitched. He has tallied 9 punch-outs, and has walked 3.

Funky Cold Medina was excelled in his second season with the Mariners in 2014, and fans are hoping for an encore this summer. Medina was a big reason why the M’s bullpen was so good last season. He dominated the competition, going 5-3 with a 2.68 ERA. The 26-year-old has closer potential, and he could push Danny Farquhar for the setup job in 2015.

Next: Mariners Bats Go Silent in Surprise

Mar 24, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter

(23) prepares for his at bat during a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

To say the Mariners’ offense was disappointing on Friday night would be an understatement. The M’s tallied just 1 hit on the night, and rarely made solid contact. Royals’ pitchers combined to strikeout 8 hitters, and held the M’s to 5 total base runners. Yordano Ventura was brilliant, and had a no-hitter through 7. The only excuse is the fact that the Mariners left Robinson Cano, Austin Jackson, Logan Morrison and Brad Miller back in Peoria.

However, when you take into account yesterday’s split squad games, the Mariners have plated just 2 runs on 7 hits across the last 27 innings of baseball. That is a rough stretch. The Royals are one of the better pitching teams in baseball, and the M’s had to face them on consecutive days, but the last 3 games have been tough to watch.

Hopefully, the bats will come alive under the Arizona sun on Saturday afternoon against the San Francisco Giants.

Next: Looking Ahead