Seattle Mariners Game Recap: M’s Rock Rockies
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Mar 30, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon (21) looks on against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
108. 5. 62. Final. 4
The Seattle Mariners were in complete control on Friday night, winning 5-4 on a warm spring night in Peoria, AZ. J.A. Happ (2-3, 6.11 ERA) earned the victory for Seattle after producing his best outing as a Mariner. Jordan Lyles (2-1, 2.01 ERA) took the loss after lasting just 1.1 innings. Paul Fry slammed the door in the top of the 9th to pick up his first save of the spring.
The Mariners got the scoring started in the bottom of the 2nd inning on Friday evening. Logan Morrison and Mike Zunino opened the frame with leadoff walks to give the Mariners runners on first and second with nobody out. Brad Miller scorched a triple down the right field line to plate LoMo and a hustling Zunino. Miller came around to score later in the inning on an Austin Jackson sacrifice fly to center field. The M’s took a 3-0 lead into the top of the 3rd inning.
Seattle padded their lead in the following inning. All Star third baseman Kyle Seager beat the shift by slicing a line drive down the left field line. Seags sprinted out of the box, and turned his single into a hustle double. LoMo promptly scored Seager on a ground ball that squirted through to center field. The M’s led 4-0 after the first 3 innings.
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The Rockies fought back to make it a 1 run game in the top of the 5th inning against veteran reliever Tom Wilhelmsen. Colorado had runners on first and second with 2 out when Charlie Blackmon made it 4-1 following a single to center field. Troy Tulowitzki continued the 2 out rally by singling on a ground ball to center field. DJ LeMahieu scored on Tulo’s single, and the M’s lead was trimmed to just 2. Carlos Gonzalez made it three consecutive singles when he drove a ground ball to right field, plating Blackmon, and making the score 4-3.
The Mariners extended their lead to 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning. Gabby Guerrero is the spitting image of his uncle Vladdy, and tonight he showed that he inherited the home run hitting gene. Gabby took a LaTroy Hawkins fastball deep to center field off the batters eye. Gabby’s dinger made the score 5-3 after 7 innings.
Youngster Grady Wood was called on to pitch the top of the 8th inning for Seattle. Wood retired the first 2 hitters in the inning, but he had trouble recording the final out. Josh Fuentes laced a double to left-center field. Veteran middle infielder Daniel Descalso came through with a 2 out RBI single to bring the Rockies to within 1.
Thankfully, that was all the Rockies could muster on Friday night, and the Mariners took the game by the final score of 5-4.
The full box score can be found here.
Next: J.A. Happ Ends Spring Training on a High Note
Mar 24, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher J.A. Happ (33) on the mound during a spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
J.A. Happ was very effective on Friday night in Peoria. Happ hurled 4 shutout innings, scattering 2 hits and striking out 4 Rockies. Happ had solid command of all his pitches, and generated good movement on his slider tonight. Happ did walk 2 batters, but he also induced a pair of double plays.
Happ has hard a rough go of it this spring for the Mariners. This start made a big dent in his ERA, but he exits spring training with a disappointing 6.11 ERA across 17.2 innings pitched. He has allowed 24 hits, 4 of which were home runs. He has tallied 11 punch-outs, and has issued 8 free passes. Opponents have registered a sickening 1.811 walks/hits per inning against Happ in Cactus League action.
Tonight’s start was encouraging for Mariners’ fans. Happ is an 8-year veteran, and I doubt he was too concerned about his subpar performance this spring. However, many fans were not very confident in the newest member of the M’s starting rotation. Hopefully, Happ carries over tonight’s success into the regular season. Happ will make his official Mariners’ debut next week in Oakland against the Athletics.
Next: Brad Miller is Ready for Opening Day
Mar 18, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) throws to first base against the Oakland Athletics at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Miller was very productive on Friday night against the Colorado Rockies. The Mariners’ shortstop had a big night, going 1 for 1 with a triple and 2 RBI’s, while also debuting a new hair-do. Miller also played solid defense up the middle. He ranged to his left in the top of the second to make a sliding stop; he popped up and made a strong throw to first base for the out.
Miller had a very tough 2014 season with the Mariners, but he has looked like a man on a mission this spring in Arizona. Despite missing a week with a nasty case of the flu, Miller is hitting .295 with 2 home runs, 8 RBI’s, and 1 stolen base across 44 at bats. He has looked much improved on defense, and Miller has all the tools to excel in Seattle this summer.
Root Sports broadcasters Aaron Goldsmith and Mike Blowers interviewed Brad Miller during tonight’s telecast. Miller is a very poised 25-year-old, and seemed like a very levelheaded young man. I have been a big believer in Miller since he was called up in 2013, and I am rooting for him to put it together in 2015.
Next: Robby Cano is a Wizard
Mar 30, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) salutes fans after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Is there anything on the baseball field Robinson Cano cannot do? He can do anything he wants out there, and tonight he gave fans a sneak preview of what’s to come in 2015. Cano went 1 for 2 on the night and played superbly at second base. His feed to shortstop Brad Miller on an inning ending double play was breathtaking. He is a silky smooth player, and a joy to watch.
Cano has been on fire this spring, hitting .358 with 1 home run and 7 RBI’s across 55 at bats. Cano has dazzled on defense, and appears more than ready to take on the Angels at Safeco Field Monday afternoon. After the acquisition of Nelson Cruz, 2015 is expected to be Cano’s best as a Mariner.
Next: Looking Ahead
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 will travel to Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday afternoon to take on the Colorado Rockies in the finale of Cactus League play. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 PST from the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Taijuan Walker (3-0, 0.36 ERA) has been electric this spring, and tomorrow will be his final tune up before the regular season starts on Monday. Eddie Butler (1-3, 3.07 ERA) will be on the hill for the Rockies. 710 ESPN will carry the game live on the airwaves for the listening pleasure of Mariners’ fans around the globe.
Next: The Experts Weigh In: The Mariners will be Scary Good