Mariners Game Recap: Elias Pitches Well, but M’s Lose Again

Apr 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) rests between pitches during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Minnesota beat Seattle 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins beat the Seattle Mariners 4-2 in 11 innings on Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field. With the win today, the Twins won the 3-game weekend series. The M’s received a strong start from Roenis Elias, but the Twinkies pitching staff stymied the Mariners’ bats. Casey Fien (1-1, 2.16 ERA) picked up the win for Minnesota after pitching 2 shutout innings in relief. Rookie Tyler Olson (1-1, 5.00 ERA) was saddled with the first loss of his career after allowing a pair of runs in the top of the 11th. Glen Perkins sat down the Mariners in order to earn his 5th save of the season.

The Minnesota Twins jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning this afternoon in Seattle. Center fielder Shane Robinson worked a 5-pitch walk, and Joe Mauer singled on a ground ball to center field to put runners on the corners with only 1 out. Trevor Plouffe plated Robinson on an RBI single to center field.

The Twinkies doubled their lead in the top of the 3rd inning. Shane Robinson was the catalyst again for Minnesota as he opened the frame with a leadoff single to right field. Perennial All Star Joe Mauer drove a line drive into the right-center field gap for a double. Robinson has plus speed, and he hustled all the way around from first to score on the 2-bagger. Mauer’s double gave the Twins a 2-0 lead in the 3rd inning.

The M’s battled back to tie the game in the home half of the 4th inning. Seth Smith led off the inning by depositing a Kyle Gibson fastball into the seats in right field. Smith’s solo shot was his first in a Mariners’ uniform, and it cut the Twins lead in half. Gibson appeared rattled on the hill, and walked Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz to put runners on first and second with none out. A Kyle Seager force out allowed Cano to advance to third base with 1 out. Logan Morrison tied the game on a ground out to first base.

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The Twins pulled away in the top of the 11th inning. Chris Herrmann worked a leadoff walk, and he advanced to second following a Danny Santana sacrifice bunt. Tyler Olson intentionally walked Brian Dozier to set up the double play. Unfortunately, Joe Mauer came through with a 2-run triple to right-center field. Mauer is really the only Twins’ hitter who can beat a team, and he was responsible for 3 for the 4 Minnesota runs in the series finale.

The full box score can be found here.

Next: Roenis Elias Pitches Well in First Outing

Apr 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Roenis Elias (29) throws out a pitch during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Roenis Elias Pitches Well in First Outing

Roenis Elias fared well in his 2015 debut for the Mariners on Sunday Afternoon in Seattle. The 26-year-old southpaw allowed 2 runs on 6 hits across 5.2 innings pitched. Elias struck out 6 and walked 3 today. He was having trouble keeping the ball down during the first few innings, but settled in nicely during his last 1.2 innings.

After failing to make the club this spring, Elias began the season with the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League. However, the M’s recalled the Guantanamo native to fill the void left by Hisashi Iwakuma who was placed on the 15-day DL this week. Kuma is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a lat strain, so Elias should get an extended look in the rotation.

Seattle will not miss Iwakuma much if Elias can keep pitching the way he did today. Roenis Elias will get the ball again for the M’s next Friday in Houston against the Astros.

Next: Mariners go 4-5 on Home Stand

Apr 26, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon (left) argues with home plate umpire Sean Barber after getting ejected in the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Mariners Finish Home Stand with a record of 4-5

Seattle played noticeably better during their 9-game home stand, but they are still no where near where they need to be. Thus far in 2015, it seems the M’s either receive a strong performance from their pitching staff or a strong showing from their offense, but never both. The Mariners had the go-ahead run in scoring position in 4 of the last 7 innings today, but they failed to pull ahead.

Skipper Lloyd McClendon has been trying to get tossed for the last week, and today it finally happened. In an effort to spark his club, McClendon laughably began arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Sean Barber on his way back to the dugout following a mound visit in the top of the 4th inning. McClendon’s ejection seemed to rally the troops, as the M’s tied the game in the bottom of the 4th. However, the move reeked of desperation to me. Nothing else says, “I don’t know what else to do,” better than a Manager purposely getting himself ejected from a game.

The Mariners are about to embark on a 10-game road trip, and they need to rediscover the formula that allowed them to win 87 games in 2014.

Next: Looking Ahead