Mariners Game Recap: Monty Spins One-Hit Gem to Lead M's Past Padres

62. Final. 0. 127. 5

The Seattle Mariners (35-42) took it to the San Diego Padres (37-42) on Tuesday night, winning 5-0 in the series opener at Petco Park. Mike Montgomery (3-2, 1.62 ERA) excommunicated the Padres, holding them to 1 hit in his second consecutive complete game shutout. Ian Kennedy (4-7, 4.86 ERA) was credited with the loss for San Diego after getting touched up for 4 runs across 5 innings.

Mike Montgomery is officially the best surprise of the Mariners’ season in 2015. The electric 25-year-old southpaw corrupted the Padres on Tuesday night in San Diego, hurling a 1-hit shutout. Montgomery had a no-hitter working though 6, but a Yangervis Solarte double in the 7th put an end to the no-hit bid. Monty struck out 7 and walked 4. He was efficient and effective with 62 of his 113 pitches landing in the strike zone. Tonight’s impressive outing comes on the heels of Montgomery’s first career complete game shutout, and solidifies his permanent spot in the M’s rotation.

Ian Kennedy was not up to the challenge tonight against the Mariners. The 30-year-old right-hander allowed 4 runs on 5 hits across 5 innings pitched. Kennedy fanned 5 and issued 1 free pass. Home runs plagued Kennedy tonight, as he surrendered a pair of dingers. Former Mariner, Shawn Kelley took over for the struggling Kennedy in the 6th. Kelley struck out 3 while keeping Seattle off the scoreboard for 2 innings. Frank Garces hurled a perfect 8th, but Marcos Mateo gave up a key insurance run in the final frame.

Jun 30, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Brad Miller (5) hits a two run home run during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Miller and Mike Zunino led the way for the M’s offensively on Tuesday. Zunino got the scoring started in the 3rd by launching a solo blast to left field. The homer was Zunino’s second in 3 games, and gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead. Miller crushed a Kennedy changeup deep to right-center for a 2-run shot in the 4th. The Mariners’ shortstop went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI’s. Austin Jackson also had an RBI single in the 4th, and finished 2 for 4 with a run scored.

Yangervis Solarte was the lone Padre to tally a hit this evening against the incomparable Montgomery. Solarte doubled in the 7th to break up the no-no, and crush the young lefty’s dreams. The Padres’ third baseman also worked a walk. Derek Norris, Justin Upton and Melvin Upton Jr. each had a walk apiece, and they were the only other San Diego players to reach base tonight.

I have said it before, and I will say it again; Edgar Martinez is helping this team. Martinez is infusing the M’s young hitters with confidence, and the results have been more than encouraging. Since Martinez took the reins on June 20th Zunino is hitting .214. He is far from on fire, but the 24-year-old was hitting just .160 on the season prior to the hire. Brad Miller is another player reaping the rewards of Gar’s presence. Crazy Legs is hitting .281 since June 20th. Again, those numbers are only mildly impressive, but Miller was hitting .230 before Edgar arrived on the scene. I think having a future Hall-of-Famer telling these young guys they can do it is helping, and I hope the improvement continues. Seattle needs to score runs to get back in the race, and having Miller and Zunino clicking would be a huge help.

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Mariners Game Recap: Monty Spins One-Hit Gem to Lead M’s Past Padres

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