Mariners Game Recap: M’s Can’t Solve Athletics Pitching Staff

Apr 5, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Chris Iannetta (33) hits a single and drives in a run during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Chris Iannetta (33) hits a single and drives in a run during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

6. 96. 1. 62. Final

Chris Iannetta crushes a home run but it isn’t enough as the Oakland staff stymy the Mariners batters and the A’s counter with six runs to beat the Mariners.

The Seattle Mariners (2-3) lost the second game in the opening series at home in Seattle to the Oakland Athletics (3-3) on Saturday evening at Safeco field.   Rich Hill (1-1, 3.12 ERA) earned the victory for the Athletics and Nate Karns (0-1, 7.20 ERA) was tagged with the loss for the Mariners in his first start for the club

Nate Karns had a rocky first inning in his first start for the Mariners.  He gave up a leadoff single to Coco Crisp.  Then after Crisp stole second base, Danny Valencia singled to plate him.  Then after a Stephen Vogt single that moved Valencia to third, Jed Lowrie singled in Valencia to make it 2-0 Athletics.  Leonys Martin misplayed the ball in center field and Vogt tried to score.  Martin threw him out at home to end the frame.  Karns would throw 34 pitches in the first inning.  However, Karns would settle into a groove.  Karns retired the side in order in the second inning and other than a two out walk, was able to have a quiet third inning.  In the fourth he gave up a two out single to Khris Davis but would end the threat with a ground ball out.  However, in the fifth inning Coco Crisp singled again and Josh Reddick crushed a 3-2 change up deep to right field to give the Athletics their third and fourth runs.

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Tony Zych took over on the mound for Karns in the 6th inning.  Vogt would welcome him with a double and scored on a Jed Lowrie single to left.  But Zych would settle down and finish the 6th and have a 1-2-3 7th inning.  Vidal Nuño made his 2016 debut for the Mariners in the 8th giving up a run on a Danny Valencia double and an RBI double by Stephen Vogt.  Mike Montgomery had another stellar appearance with a 1-2-3 9th for the Mariners.

Chris Iannetta crushed his first home run of his new Seattle Mariners career in the second inning off of starter Rich Hill.  It was a blast to left center field off of a first pitch curve ball to give the Mariners their first run of the game and make it 2-1.  However Rich Hill and the Oakland bullpen would shut down the Mariners offense for the rest of the game.

Stephen Vogt had 3 hits for the Athletics.  Coco Crisp, Danny Valencia and Jed Lowrie had 2 hits each as the Athletics pounded 11 hits tonight while the Mariners only had 5 hits.

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The Mariners struggle against left handed pitchers and they certainly did tonight.  Rich Hill gave the Mariners hitters a steady diet of slow curveballs and sneaky fast balls.  The Mariners have been unable to solve the left handers.  The Mariners have also traditionally struggled to win games at home and so far in two games it’s no different.   But we are only two games into the home schedule so, hopefully this changes soon.  The Athletics have won the series already but with Felix on the mound tomorrow, there’s certainly hope that the Mariners will turn things around.

Next: Mariners Roundtable: Can the M’s Make the Playoffs in 2016?

The Seattle Mariners (2-2) will take on the Oakland Athletics (2-3) Sunday afternoon in the third game of the series. The Oakland Athletics will go for the sweep.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm PT from the corner of Edgar & Dave in Seattle.  Felix Hernandez (0-1, 1.50 ERA) will get his second start for the Mariners in 2016 and will be looking to get in the win column. The Athletics will send Chris Bassitt (0-0, 6.75 ERA) to the mound to face the Mariners. As always, fans can watch locally on Root Sports Northwest and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.