Mariners Weekly Rundown: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

Aug 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Vidal Nuno collides with third baseman Kyle Seager (15) going for a bunt single by Boston Red Sox

To describe the last week as inconsistent would be an understatement of epic proportions. The Mariners reached the highest of highs on Wednesday when Hisashi Iwakuma hurled a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles. However, the M’s hit rock bottom this weekend when they allowed 45 runs on 60 hits over the course of 3 games in Boston.

Overall, Seattle went 3-3 this week. The Mariners have been hot lately, and they won their third consecutive series on Wednesday against the O’s. However, they proceeded to get laughed out of Fenway on Friday and Saturday. They avoided the sweep with a squeaker of a win on Sunday afternoon.

The M’s had a really solid week at the plate, averaging 5.33 runs per game. But the pitching staff really let this club down. Seattle allowed an atrocious 8.83 runs per game. The Mariners set a new franchise record by allowing 22 runs on Saturday afternoon against the Red Sox.

Now we will turn our attention to the individual standouts from the past week. Let’s start with Hisashi Iwakuma, who had a week for the ages.

Next: Kuma

Aug 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18, center) celebrates with his teammates following the final out of his no-hit, 3-0 victory against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Hisashi Iwakuma – Hot

Kuma had the best outing of his life on Wednesday afternoon for Seattle. The 34-year-old right-handed hurled the 5th no-hitter in franchise history. Iwakuma dominated the potent Orioles’ lineup, striking out 7 and walking 3. It must have been a proud moment for the entire country of Japan, as Iwakuma joined Hideo Nomo as the only Japanese pitchers in MLB history to pitch a no-no.

It has been a turbulent season for Iwakuma. The former All-Star has had an extended stay on the disabled list, and when healthy, he has had big trouble keeping the ball in the yard. However, it was a special day on Wednesday, and all of his past issues seemed a million miles away. Kuma works extremely hard, and he was rewarded for his efforts this week.

Iwakuma will get the ball on Tuesday night for Seattle, and hopefully he can join the elite group to pitch consecutive no-hitters.

Next: Seags

Aug 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) backs up second baseman Robinson Cano (22) as Cano fields a ball in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Seager – Not

Seags has put together a pretty solid season in 2015, but the past 7 days have not been kind to the Gold Glove third baseman. Seager went 5 for 25, good for a .200 average. He added 2 doubles, 1 home run and 3 RBI’s. The 27-year-old struck out 6 times and worked 2 walks.

Seager is not quite having the year he had in 2014, but he is still a key component of the Mariners’ attack. He is hitting .262 with 17 home runs and 47 RBI. Those are not All-Star numbers, but the M’s failures this season have had little to do with Seager.

One area I would like to see Seager improve during the remainder of the season is his hitting with runners in scoring position. He hit .301 with RISP in 2014, but that number has dropped to a measly .170 this year.

Next: Robby

Aug 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) watches his double against the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Robinson Cano – Hot

Robby had a stellar week for the M’s, posting a .407 batting average across 6 games. Cano went 11 for 27, with 2 doubles, 1 home run and 4 RBI. The 32-year-old struck out 2 times, and nursed 1 free pass. He registered a .429 on base percentage and slugged .593.

It has been a tale of two seasons for Robinson Cano in 2015. The superstar second baseman hit .238 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI through the first 73 games of the season. However, Cano is hitting a scorching .325 with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs and 27 RBI since July 1.

I’m very impressed with Cano’s perseverance this season. Many suggested his drop in production was the beginning of his decline, and he would never be the same player again. Robby has proven the skeptics wrong, and I think he still has a few All-Star seasons ahead of him.

Next: King Felix

Aug 15, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) is taken out of a game against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Hernandez – Not

This was arguably the worst week in King Felix’s career. Hernandez was lit up on Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park, allowing a career high 10 earned runs on 12 hits across 2.1 innings  pitched. He struck out 2, walked 1 and hit a man. The Red Sox posted a remarkable .706 batting average against the perennial All-Star, and connected on 3 home runs.

Hernandez has not been his typical dominant self in 2015. He has tallied an impressive 14 wins, but his 3.65 ERA is his worst mark since 2007. Felix injured his ankle early in the season during a start in Oakland, and one has to wonder if that is to blame for his decrease in effectiveness. I would not be shocked if we find out after the season that he was battling an ankle or foot issue all season.

Felix will get a chance to put his rough outing behind him this week, as he is the projected starter for the series finale on Wednesday in Arlington against the Rangers.

Next: Guti

Aug 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Franklin Gutierrez (30) is all smiles as he heads to the dugout after his three-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Franklin Gutierrez – Hot

Guti had an incredible week for the M’s, posting a .375 batting average. The 32-year-old went 6 for 16 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 6 RBI. He struck out 5 times and worked 1 walk. Gutierrez registered a ..429 on base percentage and slugged a remarkable, 1.063.

The oft-injured outfielder has been one of the best stories in baseball this season. Gutierrez is hitting .313 with 7 doubles, 7 home runs and 18 RBI’s through 31 games in 2015.

Guti is no longer a candidate to be an everyday outfielder, but he has proven to be an extremely valuable role player for the Mariners this summer. He has a chance to be named Comeback Player of the Year for the American League if he continues to mash.

Next: Monty

Aug 14, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Mike Montgomery (37) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Montgomery – Not

It has actually been a horrid two weeks for Monty. The 26-year-old southpaw was publicly criticized by Lloyd McClendon following his start last weekend for shaking off too many signs. In his lone start this week, Montgomery allowed 9 runs on 10 hits across 2.1 innings. He fanned 1, walked 1 and surrendered 2 home runs.

Much like Robinson Cano, Mike Montgomery’s season has been wildly inconsistent. Monty went 4-2 and posted a 1.62 ERA through his first 7 big league starts. However, he has gone 0-3 with a 7.99 ERA in the 7 starts since.

I do not envision McClendon replacing the young southpaw in the starting rotation anytime soon, but hopefully Montgomery can get back on track this week.

Next: A-Jax

Aug 15, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson (16) rounds the bases after his home run against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Jackson – Hot

The Mariners’ center fielder strung together a great week at the plate. Austin Jackson went 10 for 26, good for a .385 batting average. AJ contributed 4 doubles, 1 home run, 4 RBI and 2 stolen bases. As per usual, Jackson played a stellar center field defensively.

The 28-year-old is hitting .259 on the season with 7 home runs and 33 RBI. AJ has collected 17 doubles and tripled twice across 370 at bats in 2015. Jackson has flashed some impressive wheels this season, swiping a team high 15 bags.

Jackson is an impending free agent, and he is playing for a contract in 2015. Based on his performance thus far, I highly doubt he nets a long-term deal worth mucho dollars. However, there are likely some clubs that will attribute his decrease in production to the spacious confines of Safeco Field. I have no problem with Seattle resigning A-Jax to a short-term deal, but I do not believe that is going to happen.

Next: Jesus Montero