Mariners Drop Game and Series – 3 Observations

Apr 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Rickie Weeks (25) reacts after striking out with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Los Angeles defeated Seattle, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners came up short Wednesday night at Safeco Field, losing 5-3 to the Los Angeles Angels. Matt Shoemaker (1-0, 4.50 ERA) pitched 6 solid innings for the Halos, and earned his first victory of the season. Hisashi Iwakuma (0-1, 6.00 ERA) was tagged with his first loss of the year after getting lit up early. Huston Street shut the door on the Mariners in the bottom of the 9th inning to earn the save for the second consecutive night.

The Halos mauled Kuma in the top of the first inning. Following a Kole Calhoun line out, Mike Trout singled on a sharp ground ball to left field. Albert Pujols flexed his muscles; launching a 2-run home run into the upper deck down the left field line. The Angels were not finished there. Matt Joyce singled on a ground ball to right field, and David Freese doubled down the left line to give the Angels runners on second and third with only 1 out. Robinson Cano whiffed on an easy ground ball, and Joyce and Freese hustled home to give the Halos an early 4-0 lead.

Los Angeles added to the lead in the top of the 2nd inning. Efren Navarro hit a leadoff double on a deep fly ball down the right field line. After failing to lay down the sacrifice bunt, Johnny Giavotella yanked a single through the left side of the infield to put runners on the corners with none out. Mike Trout brought Navarro in to score on a sac fly to center field. The Halos took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the 2nd inning.

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The Mariners began slowing chipping away at the Angels’ 5 run lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Brad Miller has had a great start to the season, and on Wednesday he clobbered a Matt Shoemaker changeup deep to right field. Miller’s dinger was a no-doubter, and cleared the fence with ease. The solo blast made the score 5-1 after 3 innings.

Robinson Cano had a great game at the dish, and he connected on a 1 out double to right field to get the Mariners’ rally started in the bottom of the 6th inning. Kyle Seager entered tonight’s ballgame without a hit on the season, but he did not exit Wednesday’s game in the same predicament. Seags drilled a 2-run home run that just made it over the wall in right-center field. Seager’s big fly brought the M’s to within striking distance, trailing by just 2 runs.

Seattle nearly tied the game in the bottom of the 8th inning. Dustin Ackley reached on an infield single to lead off the frame. Robby laced a double to right-center field to give the M’s runners on second and third with none. All Nelson Cruz had to do was loft a fly ball into the outfield, but he went down swinging for the first out. Kyle Seager was walked intentionally to load the bases and set up the double play. Rickie Weeks struck out for the second out, and Logan Morrison flied out to center field to end the Mariners’ threat.

The Mariners’ missed opportunity in the 8th proved costly. Unfortunately, Huston Street was dominant in the 9th, and the Mariners went down in order. Seattle dropped their opening series of the year with tonight’s loss.

Click here for the full box score.

Next: Hisashi Iwakuma Disappoints in 2015 Debut