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Mariners Game Recap: M’s Swept By Yankees, Lose 3-1 in Finale

By Ric Dickens

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3. 43. Final. 1. 62

It may have been a different day for the Seattle Mariners (24-29), but it was the same story as it has been all year, as the M’s failed to get the big hit, and lost to the AL East leading New York Yankees (29-25) 3-1.

With the loss, the Mariners get swept by the Yankees, and fall to a full nine games back of the Houston Astros with the Astros still playing later tonight. If last night’s game didn’t completely crush this teams spirits, todays lack of execution and missed opportunities surely did it.

Taijuan Walker (2-6 5.80 ERA) got the start for the Mariners today, and overall he had a nice outing. He pitched eight solid innings of five hit ball, allowing three earned runs while striking out seven. Unfortunately for Walker, serving up the long ball is what got him again today as it has all year. Mark Teixeira went deep in the second inning, hitting a towering home run to right field. In the fourth inning, Garrett Jones got a hold of a poorly located changeup, this one a two run shot that gave the Yankees a 3-1 lead, a lead that the Yankees were eventually able to make stand. Other than that, Walker didn’t run into much trouble, as he was able to locate his fastball, and throw his secondary stuff enough to keep Yankees hitters off balance.

Masahiro Tanaka (3-1 2.76 ERA) made his first start since April 23rd against the Detroit Tigers, and showed no signs of rust. Tanaka went seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out nine and allowing just one earned run. It was his first start since coming off the DL with wrist tendinitis and a forearm strain, but you couldn’t tell by the way he was pitching. He was in command the whole game, minus the third inning where Brad Miller started the inning off with a triple and Dustin Ackley followed with a double. Other than that, his split fastball was working and the Mariners hitters simply had no answer.

The Mariners offense continues to frustrate fans with their inability to plate runners in scoring position. The M’s spoiled a golden opportunity to scratch some runs across the plate in the home half of the 8th inning. Justin Ruggiano started the frame off with a pinch hit single, and after Brad Miller struck out looking, Rickie Weeks got hit by an arrant Andrew Miller slider. Mike Zunino followed by walking on four pitches to load the bases. Up came the M’s new lead-off man Logan Morrison, who worked the count to 3-0 before striking out after chasing 3-1 and 3-2 pitches that would’ve given him a walk and scored a run. Austin Jackson grounded out to third base to end the Mariners’ threat. Andrew Miller shut the door in the 9th, preserving the win and giving the Yankees the sweep. Overall the M’s left five runners on base, and just couldn’t get the big hit when they desperately needed one.

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The Mariners have now lost five in a row, and six of their last seven to put them a full nine games back of the Houston Astros. This season looks to be headed further and further south, and if the M’s don’t turn it around soon, it’s going to be another lost season in Seattle.

The good news for the Mariners is that it is only June 3rd, and there is still plenty of baseball left to be played. Also good news for the Mariners, the Tampa Bay Rays come into town this weekend. The M’s swept Tampa Bay just over a week ago. Seattle will look to bounce back at Safeco Field tomorrow, and turn to Roenis Elias (2-2 3.07 ERA) to hopefully get them back in the win column. The Tampa Bay Rays counter with former Mariner Erasmo Ramirez (3-2 5.53 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PT and can be watched on ROOT sports or anywhere in the country with an MLB.tv subscription.

Next: Mariners All Star Voting Update

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