Welcome to Seattle Seth Smith! Mariners Win 4-1 on Opening Day

Apr 6, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) greets pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) following the final out of a 4-1victory against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners started the 2015 season on the right foot, winning 4-1 against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday afternoon at Safeco Field. Felix Hernandez (1-0, 1.29 ERA) was dominant as he notched his first victory of the campaign. Jered Weaver (0-1, 6.00 ERA) was not sharp this afternoon, and suffered his first loss of the young season. Fernando Rodney flung his first arrow of the season on Monday after shutting the door on the Halos in the 9^th inning.

The Angels got the scoring started early in today’s ballgame. Predictably, it was reigning American League MVP Mike Trout that put the Halos on the scoreboard. Trouty won an 8-pitch at bat with King Felix by hitting a solo home run that was just out of the reach of center fielder Austin Jackson. Trout’s blast gave the Angels a 1-0 lead heading to the home half of the 1^st inning.

The Mariners leapfrogged ahead in the bottom of the 3^rd inning. Austin Jackson had a great spring, and today he laced a 1-out double down the left field line. Newcomer Seth Smith made quite a first impression today, knotting the game at 1 with an RBI triple to right field. Robinson Cano gave the M’s their first lead of the season by singling on a line drive to center field. Smith came in to score, and the Mariners took a 2-1 lead into the 4^th inning.

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Seattle doubled their lead in the home half of the 5^th inning. Dustin Ackley led off the frame with a bang, depositing Weaver’s 2-0 offering into the seats in right field. Ackley’s dinger was a towering shot that cleared the fence by a good 10 rows. Brad Miller followed the leadoff homer with a single on a sharp ground ball to right field. Miller advanced to second base following a wild pitch to put himself in scoring position. Seth Smith was a run producing machine on Monday, and he plated Miller on a ground-rule double to center field. The M’s held a commanding 4-1 lead after 5 innings.

The bullpen performed nicely today, pitching 3 shutout frames to keep the M’s 3 run lead in tact. Carson Smith entered the ball game with 2 out in the 8^th inning to face Mike Trout with runners on first and second. Smitty has had success against Trouty in the past, and that trend continued this afternoon. The 25-year-old struck out Trout swinging to end the Angels’ threat and preserve Seattle’s lead.

Fernando Rodney has a tendency to keep Mariners’ fans on the edge of their seats, but today he had a relatively drama free 9^th inning. The M’s flamboyant closer allowed a leadoff walk, but immediately induced a fielders choice for the first out. Logan Morrison made a nifty play to start a game ending double play. Following the twin killing, LoMo scurried over to Rodney to watch the arrow fly into the bright Seattle sunlight.

The full box score can be found here.

Next: King Felix Hurls a Gem

Apr 6, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Hernandez was filthy in his regular season debut, hurling 7 innings and allowing 1 run on 2 hits. King Felix tallied 10 punch-outs, and issued just 1 walk on the afternoon. His only blemish was a 1^st inning Mike Trout solo home run to center field. Felix picked up right where he left off in game 162 of last season.

Hernandez was brilliant today, toying with Angels’ hitters all game. He had complete control of all his pitches, and he did a nice job working both sides of the plate. If today’s outing was any indication, 2015 may be King Felix’s best season yet.

Next: Seth Smith is my New Favorite Player!

Apr 6, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Dustin Ackley (13, left) is greeted by shortstop Brad Miller (5) after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Los Angeles, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners were very productive offensively in Spring Training, and they had the mojo working this afternoon at Safeco Field. The M’s tallied 10 hits, with 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run off the Angels’ ace. As I mentioned earlier, Seth Smith led the way for Seattle, but a number of players come through with big hits on Opening Day.

Austin Jackson was hot this spring, and he finished 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored in his first Opening Day in a Mariners’ uniform. Jackson’s double came on a breaking ball from Jered Weaver that was scorched down the left field line. Brad Miller also had a nice day, going 2 for 3 with a run scored. Today’s showing was a good start for the M’s shortstop, and made me feel a little more confident in my prediction that he will represent Seattle at the All Star Game this July.

The AckAttack is back, and I could not be happier. Dustin Ackley put together a quality spring training in Arizona, and today he hit his first home run of the 2015 season. His dinger was a moonshot, and gave the M’s some much-needed breathing room. The bearded beauty was a catalyst for Seattle last summer, proving to be their best hitter in July and August. Ackley hit out of the number 8 spot on Monday, and if he can keep hitting the ball hard he will really lengthen the Mariners’ lineup.

Next: Looking Ahead

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

The Seattle Mariners (1-0) will play host to the Los Angeles Angels (0-1) in the second game of the 3 game series Tuesday night at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Southpaw James Paxton (6-4, 3.03 ERA in 2014) will make his 2015 regular season debut tomorrow evening. C.J. Wilson (13-10, 4.51 ERA in 2014) will be tasked with getting the Halos into the win column. The game will be televised locally on Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

Next: Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels Series Preview

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