Mariners Game Recap: Prince Tai Leads M’s Past Rangers
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Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Willie Bloomquist (8) and relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (right) celebrate the win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
126. 3. 62. Final. 1
The Seattle Mariners (8-11) won 3-1 against the Texas Rangers (7-12) on Monday night in Arlington. Taijuan Walker (1-2, 6.86 ERA) was brilliant this evening, hurling 7 innings of 1 run ball and earning his first win of the season. Yovani Gallardo (2-3, 4.05 ERA) pitched reasonably well, but was the credited with the loss. Fernando Rodney allowed the tying run to reach in the 9th, but managed to escape for his 5th save of the season.
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The Seattle Mariners jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st inning. Justin Ruggiano hit leadoff for the M’s on Monday, and he did a great job working a walk to open the game. Seth Smith followed with a walk of his own, and the Mariners had runners on first and second with none out. Robinson Cano grounded into a fielders choice, but Ruggiano made it third base on the play. Nelson Cruz plated Ruggiano on an RBI single to right field. Cano scored following a throwing error by shortstop Elvis Andrus on what could have been an inning ending double play.
The Rangers cut the M’s lead in half in the home half of the 4th inning. Former Mariner Carlos Peguero worked a 6-pitch walk to open the frame for Texas. Prince Fielder followed by hitting a ground ball to Robby Cano that resulted in a fielders choice. Adrian Beltre singled on a sharp line drive to left field to put runners on first and second with 1 out. Mitch Moreland hit a bouncer that hit Beltre as he was running to second base. Beltre intentionally ran into the ground ball in an attempt to break up a potential double play. Beltre was called out, but the Rangers’ threat was still alive. The Rangers pulled even on an Elvis Andrus ground ball to shortstop Brad Miller. Miller’s throw skipped under the glove of first baseman Willie Bloomquist. Fielder trotted home to score on Miller’s throwing error.
A 2-out walk by Justin Ruggiano sparked a Mariners’ rally in the top of the 5th. Ruggiano swiped second base to give the M’s a runner in scoring position with 2-outs. Seth Smith has been great for the Mariners in 2015, and he plated Ruggiano on a single to center field. Smith’s single gave Seattle a 3-1 lead in the 5th inning.
Click here for the full box score.
Next: Prince Tai Dominates in Win
Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Prince Tai Dominates in Win
It has been a rough start to the season for Taijuan Walker, but the 22-year-old was very effective on Monday night in Arlington. Walker allowed 1 run on 6 hits across 7 innings of work in the series opener. Prince Tai struck out 5 and walked just 1 tonight. Walker was very economical with his pitch count and 62 of his 92 pitches found the strike zone.
Tonight’s outing was the best we have seen Prince Tai since spring training ended. Walker has now put together back-to-back solid outings, and hopefully he is moving beyond his early season struggles. The Yucaipa, CA product boasts a record of 1-2 and an era of 6.86 across 19.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 19 and walked 11. These are not overly impressive numbers, but they have improved dramatically over his last 2 outings.
Prince Tai will get the ball next for the Mariners when they take on the Houston Astros this Saturday. Walker has had plenty of success against the Astros during his career, so hopefully he can build on tonight’s quality start.
Next: Justin Ruggiano has Nice Game in leadoff Spot
Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder
Rickie Weeks(25) congratulates center fielder Justin Ruggiano (12) after Ruggiano scores during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Ruggiano has Nice Game in Leadoff Spot
Everyone was questioning the decision to have Justin Ruggiano hitting lead off when the lineups were announced earlier today. However, Manager Lloyd McClendon looked like a genius tonight after Ruggiano had a solid game hitting at the top of the order. The 33-year-old walked twice, scored 2 runs and stole a base tonight. Ruggiano showed a patient eye at the plate, seeing a total of 18 pitches during his 4 at bats. The veteran outfielder also did a nice job defending center field in place of Austin Jackson.
Justin Ruggiano is a very useful player to have on the bench. He has the ability to defend all 3 outfield spots, and he has a strong track record of producing offensively. The Texas A&M alum showed tonight that he has the speed to swipe a base. Overall, Ruggiano has to be considered one of the better 4th outfielders in baseball.
The M’s are flush with quality outfielders, but Ruggiano proved tonight why McClendon is so high on him.
Next: Fernando Rodney is Back
Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Fernando Rodney is Back
I have been hard on Fernando Rodney during the first month of the 2015 season, but he has turned things around as of late. As always, Rodney made it interesting in the 9th tonight. After getting Mitch Moreland to ground out, Elvis Andrus singled to right field. Rodney got Shin-Soo Choo swinging for the second out, but then walked Rougned Odor. However, Rodney tightroped out of danger by retiring Robinson Chirinos to end the Rangers’ threat and the game.
After blowing 2 of his first 4 save opportunities, Rodney has now pitched 5 consecutive scoreless frames for Seattle. The 38-year-old has also gone 3 for 3 in save opportunities during that stretch. His 8 to 6 strikeout to walk ratio is still disturbing, but he is getting the job done these days.
The calls for a new closer have quieted down lately, and they will not return anytime soon if Fernando Rodney can keep pitching he way he has been over the last 10 days. I still have significant doubts about Rodney this season, but I cannot dispute the fact that he is pitching effectively right now.
Next: Looking Ahead
Apr 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher J.A. Happ (33) throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Looking Ahead
The Seattle Mariners moved ahead of the Texas Rangers in the American League West standings with the win tonight. The M’s are now in sole possession of 3rd place, and currently sit 3.5 games back of the division leading Houston Astros.
The Texas Rangers (7-12) will host the Seattle Mariners (8-11) in game 2 of their 3 game series on Tuesday night at Globe Life Park. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm PT from Arlington, TX. J.A. Happ (1-1, 2.61 ERA) has had a fine start to his Mariners’ career, and he will hope to notch his 3rd victory of the season tomorrow night. Ross Detwiler (0-2, 10.95 ERA) will make his second start of the season against the M’s on Tuesday night. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.
Next: Mariners Game Notes: Start Time, Lineups and Weather Update
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