Mariners Game Recap: Royals Topple M’s in Series Finale

The Seattle Mariners (33-40) were their typical inconsistent selves on Wednesday night at Safeco Field. Just 24 hours after clobbering the Kansas City Royals (41-28) 7-0, KC won the rubber match 8-2 tonight. Ryan Madson (1-1, 1.82 ERA) picked up the win for Kansas City after pitching 1.1 scoreless frames in relief. Roenis Elias (4-5, 4.25 ERA) was awful for the M’s, and was credited with the loss.

Roenis Elias was roughed up tonight, surrendering 7 runs on 5 hits across 3.2 innings pitched. The Cuban southpaw fanned 2 Royals and walked 1 while allowing a home run. It was hard to watch Elias tonight, and unfortunately this is becoming a trend. The 26-year-old was brilliant during his first 8 outings this season, but he has now allowed 7 earned runs in 2 of his last 3 outings. If Elias is unable to right the ship soon, he will likely be getting a 1-way ticket to Tacoma when Hisashi Iwakuma is ready to be activated.

The Mariners’ bullpen banded together, and did a nice job cleaning up Elias’ mess. Vidal Nuno allowed 1 run on 5 hits across 3.1 innings. Nuno struck out 2 and walked none. Tom Wilhelmsen gave up a pair of hits in the 8th, but managed to tip toe out of danger. Joe Beimel kept the Royals off the scoreboard in the 9th, but it was too little too late.

Danny Duffy was nearly as incompetent as Elias tonight. The 26-year-old southpaw was yanked in the 5th inning after yielding 2 runs on 8 hits. Duffy struck out 4 and walked none this evening. Veteran Ryan Madson worked 1.1 perfect innings in relief of the Royals’ starter. Kelvin Hererra and Franklin Morales followed with perfect frames of their own, and Brandon Finnegan shut the door in the 9th to squash any hopes of a miracle comeback.

Jun 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) singles against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Franklin Gutierrez got the call fans have been waiting for on Wednesday, and he made his opportunities count tonight. Guti went 1 for 3 with a sacrifice fly in his return to the M’s lineup. Austin Jackson and Mike Zunino both tallied multiple hits tonight. Nelson Cruz went 0 for 4, and lowered his batting average to .303 on the season. Cruz has been free falling over the last 3 weeks, and the M’s are going to need him to regain form. The 34-year-old has struggled with injuries lately, and one has to wonder if they are starting to take a toll.

Omar Infante had a huge night at the dish for KC, going 3 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI’s. Mike Moustakas went 2 for 5 with a 2-run home run. Alcides Escobar had another strong game on Wednesday, finishing 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Eric Hosmer also came through for KC tonight, going 2 for 4 with an RBI single and a run scored.

The Mariners were up to their old tricks on Wednesday night. Despite netting 9 hits, Seattle was able to scratch across just 2 runs. The M’s stranded 6 baserunners tonight, and went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position. This team can be fun to watch, but they can also be excruciating to watch, tonight was the latter. The inconsistency needs to stop, and if is doesn’t, Seattle will have zero chance of returning to relevancy in the American League West.

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Thankfully, tongiht’s loss did not hurt the M’s in the AL West standings. Seattle remains in 4th place, 8.5 games back of the division leading Houston Astros.

The Seattle Mariners (33-40) have played 36 games in 37 days, but they will get a rare day off on Thursday. The M’s will now travel to Anaheim to take on the Los Angeles Angels (37-36) on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm from Angel Stadium. Taijuan Walker (5-6, 4.94 ERA) is on fire, and he will look to keep it going when he gets the ball in the series opener for Seattle. Matt Shoemaker (4-5, 5.20 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Halos. Root Sports Northwest will broadcast the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

Next: Mariners News: Gutierrez Batting 2nd in Return

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