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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
102. Final. 3. 62. 5
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
Apr 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Hisashi Iwakuma Disappoints in 2015 Debut
Hisashi Iwakuma’s typical pinpoint command was nowhere to be found in the first 2 innings on Wednesday night at Safeco Field. He was missing up in the zone consistently, and it came back to bite him. Kuma allowed 5 runs on 9 hits across 6 innings of work. He fared much better over his final 3 innings, but it was not enough to salvage the start.
The 33-year-old right-hander posted a 7.88 ERA over his final 7 starts in 2014, and tonight’s poor showing did little to quiet the doubters. Kuma is not going to blow it past anyone, and he has to use his brains to get hitters out. He has to rely on location, movement and changing speeds to be effective. His split finger was moving better from the 3rd inning on, but in his next outing he has to pitch better.
Iwakuma is one of the best pitchers the Mariners have, and a strong year from him will be critical to the M’s playoff hopes. He will get an opportunity to forget about tonight’s outing next week against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Next: Brad Miller’s Hot Start to the Season
Jun 23, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) commits a throwing error against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Miller’s Hot Start to the Season
Brad Miller has put last season’s struggles behind him, notching a pair of hits in 2 of the first 3 games in 2015. Miller played a key role in tonight’s ballgame, going 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI. It was the first round tripper of the year for the Mariners’ shortstop, and his first run driven in. Miller also played sound defense up the middle, making a number of nice backhanded snags this evening.
Apr 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) runs around the bases after hitting a solo-homer against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The 25-year-old Orlando, FL native has all the tools necessary to become a quality performer this season. He looks much more comfortable at shortstop, and he has as much pop as any shortstop in the American League. I picked Brad to represent the Mariners’ at the 2015 All Star Game in Cincinnati, and his fast start is very encouraging.
If Miller can keep up this pace, Chris Taylor will not have the chance to steal the shortstop gig away from Miller when he recovers from his broken wrist.
Side note: Brad Miller’s new stripped stirrups are incredible. They are the perfect sock choice for a quirky middle infielder.
Next: Carson Smith is the Mariners' Future Closer
Sep 26, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Carson Smith (39) pitches to the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Carson Smith is the Mariners’ Future Closer
The Mariners made a last second decision before breaking camp to send Dominic Leone down to triple-A Tacoma, and recall Carson Smith. Many questioned the move, but Lloyd McClendon has been proven right in the first 3 games of the season. Smitty struck out Mike Trout on Monday afternoon, and today he pitched 1.2 shutout innings to keep Seattle within striking distance. The 25-year-old righty struck out 3 Angels tonight, including perennial All Star Albert Pujols.
Carson Smith was brilliant for the Mariners down the stretch in 2014. The Texas State alum hurled 8.1 shutout frames, scattering a pair of hits and striking out 10. Smith was not a dominant performer this spring, but he has flipped the switch in the regular season.
I am really high on Carson Smith. I believe Smitty is the perfect pitcher to take the reigns as the Mariners’ closer in 2016. His fastball/slider combination is deadly, and his arm angle hides the ball from hitters. Look for Smith to become a go-to pitcher for Seattle coming out of the bullpen this summer.
Next: Looking Ahead
Mar 30, 2015; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Looking Ahead
The Seattle Mariners (1-2) have a travel day on Thursday, but they will be back on the diamond Friday night in Oakland against the A’s (2-1). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm at the O.co Coliseum. Taijuan Walker was electric this spring, and he will make his first start of the season on Friday. Southpaw Drew Pomeranz will get the ball for the Athletics. Friday’s game will be broadcast live on Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.
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