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Mariners Game Recap: M’s Power Past Padres in Opener
May 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) is greeted by first baseman Logan Morrison (20) after hitting a two-run homer against the San Diego Padres during the seventh inning at Safeco Field. Morrison scored on the play. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
127. 11. 62. Final. 4
The Seattle Mariners (15-17) took it to the San Diego Padres (17-17) on Tuesday night, winning 11-4 in the series opener. The M’s combined to hit 6 home runs on the night, and the outcome was never in doubt. James Paxton (1-2, 4.31 ERA) notched his first victory of the season Tuesday for Seattle. Ian Kennedy (2-2, 5.92 ERA) was hit hard all night, and was credited with the loss for San Diego.
The Mariners exploded for 4 runs in the home half of the 1st inning. Brad Miller got the M’s going by crushing a ground-rule double that just stayed fair down the right field line. Robinson Cano plated Miller on an RBI single to center field. Nelson Cruz worked a walk to give Seattle runners on first and second with only 1 out. Kyle Seager broke out of his rut in a big way tonight, clubbing a 3-run home run over the wall in right field. Seager’s blast gave the M’s an early 4-0 lead.
Seattle added to their lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Logan Morrison may be the hottest hitter in baseball over his last 10 games, and he slugged yet another home run tonight. LoMo’s dinger was of the solo variety, and made it a 5-0 ballgame after 3 innings.
The M’s extended their lead again in the bottom of the 6th inning. Mike Zunino led off the frame by depositing a Shawn Kelley slider into “The ‘Pen” out in center field. Chris Taylor and Seth Smith followed Zunino’s solo shot with singles, and Seattle had runners on first and second with none out. After the next 2 Mariners’ hitters were retired, Nelson Cruz scored Taylor on a single to center field. Cruz’s 2-out RBI gave the M’s a 7-0 lead.
May 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Dustin Ackley (13) is greeted by second baseman Robinson Cano (22) after making a diving catch against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego fought back to make it interesting in the top of the 7th inning. Clint Barmes singled, and Abraham Almonte and Derek Norris walked to load the bases with 1 out. Matt Kemp hit a bouncer to Chris Taylor at shortstop. Kemp’s grounder had a chance to be an inning ending double play, but Taylor booted it and then threw wide of first base. Everybody was safe, and Barmes came across to score. Tom Wilhelmsen struck out Justin Upton, but Yangervis Solarte hit a soft line drive that landed in front of Justin Ruggiano in center field. Almonte and Norris scored on Solarte’s single, and the Padres shrunk the M’s lead to 4.
The Mariners quickly jumped back out in front by 7 runs in the home half of the 7th. Logan Morrison reached with a leadoff single, and Dustin Ackley lay down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move LoMo into scoring position. Mike Zunino was huge for Seattle on Tuesday, and he hit his second home run of the night in the 7th. Following a Chris Taylor fly out, Justin Ruggiano connected on his first round tripper in a Mariners’ uniform. Ruggiano’s dinger made it a 10-3 ballgame heading to the 8th inning.
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Nelson Cruz is the reigning American League Player of the Month, and he launched his first home run in 5 games this evening. The solo homer came in the bottom of the 8th and extended the M’s lead to 8 runs. Cruz has now hit a league leading 15 home runs in his debut season in the Emerald City.
The Padres pushed across 1 run in the top of the 9th, but fell 11-4 in the series opener.
Click here for the full box score.
Next: Pax-Man is Back on Track
May 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton (65) throws against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Pax-Man is Back on Track
James Paxton put together his 4th consecutive solid outing for Seattle on Tuesday night. Paxton hurled 6 shutout innings tonight against the Padres. Pax-Man allowed just 3 hits, but his 5:5 strikeout to walk ratio was not overly impressive. He ran into trouble in the 2nd inning when he walked the bases loaded, but he managed to tip toe out of danger. He was far from perfect, but 65 of his 106 pitches found the strike zone.
The 26-year-old southpaw had a rough start to the season, but he has looked much better as of late. He has allowed 2 runs or less in each of his last 4 starts, and he looks much more confident on the mound. Paxton was big for Seattle down the stretch in 2014, and I expect his recent success to continue this summer.
The Ladner, BC native will get the ball again for Seattle on Sunday afternoon when they host the Boston Red Sox at Safeco Field.
Next: Mike Zunino Homers 2x
May 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) is greeted outside the dugout after hitting a solo-homer against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Zunino Homers 2x
Mike Zunino has been heavily criticized by Mariners’ fans all season, but he made his detractors eat their tweets on Tuesday night against the Padres. Not only did the M’s backstop call a fabulous game behind the plate, but he also contributed 3 hits and 2 home runs. Zunino absolutely demolished a hanging break ball in the 7th that nearly made it into the second deck at Safeco Field. Tonight was his best game of the season, as he finished 3 for 4 with 3 RBI’s and 2 runs scored.
2015 has not been kind to the 24-year-old Cape Coral, FL product. After producing some of the best numbers in baseball this spring, he has hit just .185 with 5 home runs and 10 RBI’s through his first 92 at bats this season. However, Mike Zunino proved tonight that his raw power is unmatched on the team. Also, his defensive prowess makes him invaluable to the M’s. He may have issues with accuracy at time on his throws, but his receiving skills are on an All Star level.
Mike Zunino is arguably the best young catcher in baseball, and he deserves the support of the fan base. He may be frustrating at times, but Zunino is the best backstop Seattle has had since Dan Wilson. I still have high hopes for his season, and hopefully tonight’s impressive showing will be a turning point for the University of Florida alum.
Next: Looking Ahead
May 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker (32) throws out a pitch in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Looking Ahead
The Mariners have now tallied 4 consecutive wins, and their standing in the American League West has improved dramatically over that stretch. After tonight’s huge win, the M’s sit in 3rd place in the AL West. Seattle is just 4,5 games back of the division leading Houston Astros.
The Seattle Mariners (15-17) will go for the sweep tomorrow night against the San Diego Padres (17-17) in the finale of their 2-game mini series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Taijuan Walker (1-3, 8.13 ERA) will be on the bump for Seattle on Wednesday night. The Padres will turn to James Shields (4-0, 4.25 ERA) tomorrow night. Root Sports Northwest will broadcast the game locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.
Next: Mariners Game Notes: Taylor Starts at SS, Kuma Shut Down