Seattle Mariners Game Recap: M’s Can’t Overcome Mental Miscues

Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker during the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Tai Walker Looked Overmatched Tonight

Taijuan Walker was lit up in his first outing of the season last week in Oakland, and he did not fare much better this evening. Walker allowed 5 runs on 6 hits across 4 innings Wednesday night in Chavez Ravine. He walked 4 Dodgers, and struck out just 3. Of his 76 pitches, only 46 landed in the strike zone. He struggled with location once again on Wednesday, and he looked dazed and confused on the mound.

I had really high hopes for Tai tonight. He appeared to be very excited to pitch in front of his friends and family on Jackie Robinson Day. Perhaps he was too amped up, and he was unable to control his emotions. Walker looked like he was going to be sick during the first inning.

Fans were hoping for a breakthrough year from the 22-year-old right-hander, but thus far he has been a massive disappointment. Walker was brilliant in Spring Training, allowing just 2 runs across 27 innings, but he has allowed 14 runs across 7.1 innings this season. It is fair to wonder if a demotion to Tacoma would be wise for Walker at this time.

Next: The Mariners are Not Playing Heads Up Ball

Apr 15, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal takes the throw from center fielder Joc Pederson to tag Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino out at home in the fourth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners are Not Playing Heads Up Ball

Seattle gifted the Dodgers the first 2 games of this series, and tonight their tally of mental mistakes was higher than their hit total. The series got off to an inauspicious start on Monday night when Logan Morrison forgot how many outs there were multiple times during the same game. It did not end up costing the Mariners, but the lack of mental awareness was perplexing.

In Game 2, Fernando Rodney exploded in the bottom of the 9th inning. I can still picture the look on his face after he gave up the leadoff single. His face was screaming, “That was a rude way to wake someone up from a nap!”

Tonight was the worst of the worst. Mike Zunino came up with a ground-rule double leading off the 5th inning. Justin Ruggiano followed with a weak single on a line drive to center fielder Joc Pederson. On what should have been an easy decision to break to third base, Zunino got one of the worst reads I have ever seen. Not only was he late in heading to third, but then he thought he could score on the hit. Pederson gunned down Zunino at the plate with ease, and the M’s rally was killed.

Robinson Cano’s blunder was like the bad dream where you show up naked for work. Cano and Cruz were on second and third with 1 out in the 6th inning. LoMo did a nice job working a walk to load the bases, but Cano was under the impression he had just been walked in. Cano began trotting home, and was thrown out trying to retreat to third base.

I have been watching baseball for over 20 years, and I have never seen a player start walking home in the middle of an inning for no apparent reason. Hell, I have never seen a 6-year-old do what Robby did tonight. His base running blunder took the wind out of the M’s sails, and has to rank among the most embarrassing moments of Cano’s baseball life.

These kinds of mental miscues are not going to cut it if the Mariners plan on making the postseason in 2015.

Next: The Dodgers are Really Good

April 14, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) reacts as left fielder

(3) is safe at home against the tag of Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium. Umpire Greg Gibson called the play safe. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers are Really Good

I can talk all night about the pathetic play of the Mariners over the past 3 games, but it would not be fair to ignore the quality of the opposition. The Dodgers showed why they are projected by many to represent the National League in the World Series this fall.

The comeback wins during the first 2 games were executed perfectly, and they dominated from the get go tonight. I’m not making excuses for the M’s, but LA is a great team. They pitched well, they played sound defense and they had clutch hitting.

It is disheartening that Seattle could not keep up with the Dodgers, but hopefully the Texas Rangers will present an easier challenge this weekend at Safeco Field.

Next: Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead

With the loss, Seattle currently sits in last place in the American League West. After 9 games the M’s trail the Oakland Athletics by 1.5 games.

The Seattle Mariners (3-6) have an off day tomorrow, and the timing could not be better. The M’s will hope to put their poor play behind them on Friday night at Safeco Field when they play host to the Texas Rangers (4-6). J.A. Happ (0-0, 2.84 ERA) will get the ball for the Mariners in the opener of the 3-game series. Yovani Gallardo (1-1, 5.59 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Rangers. The game will be broadcast locally on Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

Next: Mariners Game Notes: Tai Walker, Jackie Robinson and King Felix

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