Mariners Weekly Rundown: Tough Times have Returned to Seattle

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Jun 10, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) looks as his helmet after it flew off his head while swinging at a pitch during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

It has been an unpleasant week for the Mariners and their fans.

The past few weeks have forced the Seattle Mariners’ faithful to pump the brakes on buying 2016 playoff tickets. After peaking at 10 games over .500 (28-18) and 1.5 games ahead in the American League West on May 25, the Mariners have skidded into the ditch in recent weeks. The Mariners have not won a series since May 25, and they boast a dismal record of 6-11 in their last 17 games.

The week began with a 3-1 loss against the Cleveland Indians and it ended with a 6-4 loss against the Texas Rangers. The Mariners went 3-2 in the games in between, but still exited the week with a losing record. Seattle is currently sitting in second place in the AL West, 5.0 games back of the division leading Rangers.

Overall, the Mariners scored a total of 28 runs across 7 games, good for an average of 4 runs per contest. The offense has been inconsistent, but it’s the pitching and defense that has truly let the club down recently. Seattle allowed just 2.9 runs per game this week, but those numbers are skewed by a pair of dominant outings against Cleveland early in the week.

Tonight we will focus on which individuals have stood out during the past 7 games. We will look at who played well and also who played poorly this week. Let’s begin by discussing the impressive week put together by Robinson Cano.

Next: Cano Continues to Lead the Way for Seattle

Jun 10, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Dae-Ho Lee (10) and second baseman Robinson Cano (22) point at each other following a a three-run home run by Lee against the Texas Rangers scoring Cano and Nelson Cruz (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Cano Continues to Lead the Way for Seattle

Robinson Cano had yet another productive week at the plate for the Mariners. The star second baseman posted a .333 batting average with 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 3 RBI across 7 games. Cano registered a .355 on base percentage and slugged .600 through 30 at bats. He also posted a less than stellar 6:1 strikeout to walk ratio.

It’s becoming clear that the 33-year-old is having an MVP type of season for the Mariners in 2016. Cano is slashing .292/.348/.577 with 18 home runs and 50 RBI through 62 games. This is a complete turnaround from last season, where he was hitting a measly .239 with 2 home runs and 19 RBI on June 12. Robbie is on pace to slug 30+ home runs and drive in over 100 runs for the first in a Mariner uniform.

Next: Seager Reverts back to April Form

Apr 19, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (15) reacts after striking out to end the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The Indians won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Seager Reverts Back to April Form

The past seven games have not been kind to the Mariners’ gold glove third baseman. Kyle Seager went 5 for 25 this week with 2 doubles, 1 home run and 3 RBI. Seager posted a .310 on base percentage and slugged .400, but his .200 batting average was underwhelming at best. His 4:3 strikeout to walk ratio was impressive, but he needs to raise his batting average to be more effective.

2016 has been a rollercoaster season for Seager. After hitting just .159 in April, Seags turned it around in May, posting a .361 batting average. So far in June, he is batting .304. On the year, Seager has slashed .280/.355/.504 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI across 62 games. To put it simply, these are All-Star caliber numbers.

Next: Prince Tai is Back in Line for the Throne

Jun 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (44) delivers a pitch to the Texas Rangers during the third inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /

Prince Tai is Back in Line for the Throne

After a string of rough outings, Taijuan Walker found himself in a big way this week against the Cleveland Indians. The 23-year-old fireballer hurled 8 shutout frames against the Tribe en route to earning the win for the Mariners. Walker allowed just 3 hits while striking out 11 and walking none.

The Yucaipa, CA native has had the opposite season of Kyle Seager in 2016. Walker started out blazing hot, going 2-2 with a 1.97 ERA through his first 6 starts of the season. However, he has not been very effective since, going 1-4 with a 4.84 ERA in his last 6 starts. Overall, Tai is 3-6 on the season with a 3.48 ERA. Hopefully he can build off his last outing when he gets the ball on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Next: Closer Problems is a Mariners' Tradition

Jun 10, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Steve Cishek (31) throws a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the eighth inning at Safeco Field. Seattle won 7-5. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Closer Problems are a Mariners’ Tradition

Steve Cishek has been a steadying presence for much of the 2016 season, but he was anything but steady this past week for the Mariners. The veteran right-hander went 0-0 with 1 save on the week, but he registered a 5.40 ERA and blew a key save opportunity against the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. Cishek posted a 4:0 strikeout to walk ratio, but he served up a pair of crucial home runs.

The 29-year-old Falmouth, MA product is putting together a decent comeback season for the Mariners. Cishek is currently 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA and 14 saves in 2016. Those numbers are relatively impressive, but he has blown 4 saves already this year, and it’s only mid-June.

Next: The Boomstick is Heating up

Jun 12, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits a single to center during the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Texas won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boomstick is Heating up

Nelson Cruz has been one of the M’s most productive hitters in 2016, and that trend continued this week. Cruz posted a .321 batting average with 1 double, 2 home runs and 3 RBI. He registered a .345 on base percentage and slugged .571 across 28 at bats. Cruz’s 9 base hits were the second highest tally on the team this week, only trailing Robinson Cano’s 10.

Not many pundits expected the 35-year-old Cruz to duplicate his remarkable 2015 campaign. While he has fallen slightly back to earth, Cruz is still slashing .293/.377/.530 with 15 homers and 43 RBI through 62 games. He will likely fail to match his home run total from last season, but he is on pace to drive in over 100 runs for the first time since joining the Mariners.

Next: Benoit has Bumpy Week

Jun 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit (53) wipes his face after getting pulled in the eighth inning after giving up three runs against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Benoit has Bumpy Week

Things did not go smoothly for Joaquin Benoit this week. The 38-year-old right-hander struggled as the Mariners setup man, going 0-1 with a 10.12 ERA across 3 appearances. Benoit allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 3 hits, including 2 home runs. He struck out 1 and walked 1 through 2.2 innings pitched. All in all, it was a pretty forgettable week for Benoit.

Benoit has been somewhat of a disappointment in his first season with Seattle. After registering a sub-3 ERA in each of the prior three seasons, Benoit has gone 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA through his first 13 appearances in 2016. He has also spent some time on the disabled list. With a number of quality righty relievers in the M’s bullpen, Benoit will need to improve if he hopes to hang on to 8th inning duties.

Next: Pax-Man was a Superhero this Week

Jun 6, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) throws against the Cleveland Indians during the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Pax-Man was a Superhero this Week

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Franklin Gutierrez has been extremely consistent this season, unfortunately he’s been consistently bad. And his poor performance with the bat continued this week. Guti was only able to tally one single in 11 at bats through 4 games this week. He did not collect an extra-base hit or drive in any runs.

After coming out of nowhere to hit .292 with 15 home runs through 59 games in 2015, Guti has only hit .237 with 5 home runs and 15 RBI across 40 games in 2016. Gutierrez’s numbers from last season were always going to be tough to replicate, but he has fallen well shy of expectations so far this year. His .324 on base percentage and .433 slugging percentage are acceptable, but unimpressive. Hopefully Guti can heat up with the weather as we head into the summer months.

Next: Iannetta is the M's Unlikely Hero

Jun 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) runs into Seattle Mariners catcher Chris Iannetta (33) for an out to end the top of the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Iannetta is the M’s Unlikely Hero

Chris Iannetta has been mired in a deep slump for much of the last two months, but he broke out in a big way this week. The Mariners backstop hit .333 with 1 double, 2 homers and a team high, 5 RBI across 5 games. Iannetta registered a .444 on base percentage and slugged .800 through 25 at bats. He also had a respectable 4:2 strikeout to walk ratio.

Next: Returns Re-energize Sinking M’s

The 33-year-old has not torn the cover off the ball during his first season in Seattle, but he has done a lot of good things for the Mariners. Iannetta’s .233 batting average leaves something to be desired, but his .332 on base percentage is a really solid number. He has also slugged 6 round trippers and driven in 17 runs across 50 games.

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It has been an unpleasant week for the Mariners and their fans.

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