Mariners Game Recap: Monty Hurls Complete Game Shutout to Even Series

7. 7. 62. Final. 0

The Seattle Mariners (33-39) had a breakthrough game on Tuesday night, beating the Kansas City Royals (40-28) 7-0 at Safeco Field. Mike Montgomery (2-2, 2.04 ERA) dazzled against his former organization, and earned his 2nd victory of the season. Jeremy Guthrie (5-5, 5.90 ERA) was hit, and he was hit hard en route to picking up the loss for KC.

Monty was brilliant tonight for the Mariners. Mike Montgomery pitched his first career complete game shutout this evening against the club that selected him in the 1st round of the 2008 MLB draft. The 25-year-old southpaw scattered just 4 hits tonight, while striking out a career high 10 batters and walking none. His command was breathtaking, as 77 of his 105 pitches found the strike zone. Monty is quickly emerging as one of the most efficient starters the M’s have.

Many are predicting Montgomery will be demoted when Hisashi Iwakuma is activated from the disabled list in the coming weeks. However, Monty has been phenomenal this month, and I hope we get to see more of him this summer at Safeco.

Jeremy Guthrie was the polar opposite of Monty tonight. The veteran right-hander was touched up for 6 runs over 5 innings. The M’s tallied 9 hits off Guthrie on Tuesday. He fanned 3 and walked 2 while surrendering 1 long ball. Guthrie is having a rough season in 2015, and at 36-years-old, it is clear his career is winding down.

Jun 23, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Dustin Ackley (13) runs the bases after hitting a two-run homer during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Ack-Attack was vicious tonight for the M’s. Dustin Ackley went 3 for 4 with a pair of RBI’s, and finished just a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Ackley hit a ground rule double in his first plate appearance, and followed that up with a 2-run home run in the 5th. The 27-year-old’s big night pushed his batting average over the Mendoza line for the first time since May 13th. Logan Morrison also had a nice nice at the dish, going 1 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBI’s. Robinson Cano has had a good week, and he went 2 for 4 with a double and a run scored.

The Royals were completely shut down on offense tonight, registering just 6 total baserunners. Former Mariner, Kendrys Morales came through with a single in the 9th and he did not strikeout all night. Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas and Salvador Perez were the other Royals to collect hits.

The M’s are now 2-2 with Edgar Martinez as their hitting coach, and the offense tonight was noticeably improved. Seattle had 10 hits, and 4 extra base hits. I really love the hire of Gar, and I think the offense will continue to improve. Edgar has been spending a lot of time with Mike Zunino, and the M’s backstop went 1 for 3 tonight, and had 3 good at bats. Dustin Ackley is another player who I think will benefit greatly from Martinez’s philosophies. Ackley has looked lost at the plate this season, but he stuck to his game plan tonight and it payed off.

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