Mariners Analysis: Returns Re-energize Sinking M’s

The Mariners have begun to turn their poor play around since getting Martin and Marte back in the lineup.

The Seattle Mariners have a chance to end this week on high note when they convene at Safeco Field this afternoon to play the rubberneck match against their toughest divisional competition, the Texas Rangers. The previous week, the M’s surrendered their division lead to the Rangers due to a string off lackluster offense and poor pitching, all while missing two starters in their everyday lineup (Leonys Martin and Ketel Marte)- they now sit 4-games back.

Yet- call it coincidence if you like- the news, and actual returns of both players who have been on the 15-Day DL for respective injuries, has brought a spark back into the club, giving them the winning spirit and identity they had through the first quarter of the season when they were healthy.

Since hopping of the disabled list on June 6th, Ketel Marte has made an aggressive effort to show he is fit and ready to help this resurgence. During his 5 games back, he had hit safely in his first 4 games including a multi-hit game against the Cleveland Indians- he also scored 2 runs and stole 2 bases (tying a season-high) that night. The M’s might just be 3-3 since Marte’s return, but his feisty base-running and .277 batting average- which is in since with his pre-injury numbers- seems to have given life to the team during this most recent home stand. Leonys Martin’s healthy diagnosis was another boost that has been a welcomed addition to the recently battered Mariners.

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Sure, if you look at Martin’s numbers- 0-8 and 1K- since his strained hamstring healed, it doesn’t show an individual contribution, at least by the numbers. However, as has been widely publicized, Martin was having the best offensive, power-hitting season of his career, already having surpassed his season record of 8 long bombs- he currently he has 9- and it is mid-June. He was also on track to setting a career-high RBI total for one season.

It is probable to think that after the early June stretch of underwhelming performances, Scott Servais tried to rally his club. It is also probable that he, and/or Ken Griffey Jr.– who visited the locker room the day of Marte’s return- said something like, “You guys have taken some punches while you’ve been down. We’ve been missing some key guys, but when they come back, we’ll have no more excuses; we’ll need to go out there and show we can win every game when we’re all healthy.” And aside from Marte and Martin stepping up, statistically and physically, the rest of the team has followed suit.

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The Mariners starting pitching, which, for the last 2 weeks has been the core reason as to why the team has fallen in the American League West, but again, since the return of the aforementioned key players, they too have delivered. Since the first return of Marte, the Mariners starting rotation has been brilliant, boasting an ERA of just 1.16 during the 6 game stretch. This is far cry from what had been the worst stretch of Mariner starts 2014 just a couple weeks ago. It may only be chance, but it seems that the the pitching staff was impacted by the promise of a full-powered lineup.

It must be noted in the rotation that their still is unfortunate news regarding ace Felix Hernandez, who will likely be out another 4 weeks. But for now, everyone is rising to the occasion that all about one of their main staples is ready for battle.

Next: Rangers Fight Back to Even Series with Seattle

This re-energized squad has given hope to the mostly packed Safeco Field over the weekend, after having been so dejected just a few unhealthy weeks ago, but ailing no more, these Mariners are ready to fight until they can retake and maintain their deserved spot at the top of the AL West.