Seattle Mariners: 3 Things That We Learned Today

The Mariners made franchise history today, sweeping the Oakland Athletics on the road, twice, in the same year. But that’s not all they did. Here are 3 things we learned in today’s 3-2 win.

The Mariners have done it again. With their fifth straight win they clinched an important series sweep. No wins (in the regular season) matter more than September wins, and the Mariners are piling them up.

Once again, it took a complete team effort to earn the W. From James Paxton’s start to Mike Zunino’s home run. From Nelson Cruz’s streaky slugging to Ketel Marte’s timely hit. The Mariners did so much to grind out this win, and did so on a day where most of their Wild Card competition lost. These are the things we learned today.

Zunino Hits Homers in Bunches

The Mariner faithful have been waiting patiently for Mike Zunino to become an all-star caliber player. Since his 2014 breakout twenty-two home run year, we have wanted Zunino to keep those power numbers and raise everything else too. Well, we’re still waiting, but it’s kind of fun to see him go on a hot streak.

Zunino started the season down with the Mariners AAA team in Tacoma. There, he lit up the minor leagues. His seventeen homers in seventy-nine games exemplified what we all lust after when we watch him play.

When Zunino finally arrived back in the show, he hit two home runs in his debut. Could it be? Mike Zunino a everyday power hitter? No. It was all a rouse. But when he did hit the ball out of the park, you knew another homer wasn’t far away.

Aside from a couple of stray bombs, Zunino has hit home runs in back-to-back games twice (the past two games and back in early august). In mid to late August he had homers in back-to-back-to-back games. His four bunches of homers is the most he’s had in his budding career.

The Legend of Dae-Ho Lee Continues?

Lee decided to take a page out of Shawn O’Malley’s playbook today. In a pinch-hit appearance -replacing Adam Lind who left the game with a sprained finger- Lee stepped into the batter’s box hoping to grow his legend.

His up-and-down journey this season has been well documented. Starting out the season fairly hot, he went ice-cold after the all-star break. His chilly play earned him a summer send down, but he has recently been called up, and appears to be in old form, maybe even better. In his last eight

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games (including today) he is hitting .451 with a homer run, two doubles and eight runs batted in.

This afternoon he padded those stats in his first pinch-hitting plate appearance, hitting the ball off the bottom of the left-field wall. Lee went 1-2 today, but looks to be hitting a stride that the Mariners could use in the final stretch. If Lee keeps it up, the million dollar South Korean could be getting a contract extension at the end of the year.

Quality Equals Wins

Or that’s what it should be, right? James Paxton’s mostly masterful start earned him a quality start, his eighth of the year. He was continuing the short, but important streak that the Mariners started two days ago. Originating with Hisashi Iwakuma, then followed up by The King yesterday, it was now Paxton’s turn.

We all know that the Mariners rotation has struggled this year, but lately things have looked very good. But for Paxton specifically, he has been part of a handful of team losses when he pitches a quality game. He is 4-4 when he throws at least six innings and gives up three runs or less.

It is not the same for his Mariner counterparts. They have had better luck when they pitch a quality game. Taijuan Walker has a 5-2 record in those scenarios, Felix Hernandez is 8-4 and Hisashi Iwakuma is 12-5. There is no doubt that Paxton’s quality start record is an outlier, but it doesn’t mean that is quality is less impressive, right?

Bonus Knowledge

Today holds a special place in our hearts and our minds, and it will eternally do so. As a born and raised New Yorker, I remember the entire day vividly. Yet, as tragic as the events were, I am reminded (especially in the sporting community) that we stand together.

Watching the pre-game ceremonies and tributes in every professional stadium warms your heart. When I heard Mike Blowers and Dave Simms recant their memories of the day, it reinforced my feelings that I wasn’t alone. We all have our own stories of the day and how it touched us.

Next: The Evolution Of Edwin Diaz?

In every stadium, not only in baseball, but across the United States, strangers sang the National Anthem and God Bless America together. They joined hands and embraced each other in comfort, despite all possible differences. All because we understand that certain things are bigger than us. The scenes, in particular, what I saw in Oakland, made me proud to be part of this great sporting community because I know I will never be alone.

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