Seattle Mariners: 3 Things We Learned Yesterday In Minnesota

The Mariners dropped the ball yesterday afternoon in the club’s 3-2 loss. Nelson Cruz and Robinson Cano tried their best to overcome the Minnesota Twins, but stumbled on the final hurdle. The loss came on a day where a win would’ve brought them to within one game of the final Wild Card spot. Instead, they now sit 2.5 games back, with only eight games remaining.

The Mariners came within 180 feet of tying the ballgame at three in the ninth inning. That’s how close they were to extending the game and potentially earning a much needed win. Unfortunately, the Mariners weren’t able to collectively create enough offense on this day.

Cano and Cruz combined for four of the teams five hits. Adam Lind would be the only other Mariner to get a base knock. With Ariel Miranda not in the form he has been in his past three starts, it is evident that this is why the M’s were defeated.

However, this wasn’t the only thing we learned last night. Here are three more things we learned in the 3-2 defeat.

Cruz Likes Destroying Baseballs

Nelson Cruz is known for being a home run hitter. He is also known for obliterating baseballs. Yesterday he showcased his talent in grand fashion.

Coming into the game, Cruz had started a productive turn around after a cold spell. On Friday, he

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blasted a baseball 454 feet. The ball nearly ended up in someones dinner in the restaurant that sits high above the center field wall. On Saturday he took another ball on a long trip.

In the fourth inning, Cruz belted the ball a whopping 495 feet. That distance was the second farthest any baseball had traveled all year. Giancarlo Stanton caused a ball to soar 503 feet.

On average, Cruz has the longest distance on his home runs among players who have hit thirty or more long bombs. On average, he manages to hit the ball 414 feet .

Pencil In Scribner To Be A Pen’ Regular

Evan Scribner has now pitched the equivalent of a full baseball game. Since being brought on to the roster in early September, Scribner has been unstoppable.

In 9.1 innings pitched, the right-hander has allowed just four hits and three walks- one of which was intentional. Even more astonishing, he has thrown ten strikeouts. That means he is throwing out a batter more than once an inning. Now that’s impressive.

Scribner has been a reliable staple of the Mariners bullpen this month. As a result, he is making a case for why he should continue to be a core piece of the M’s bullpen in the future.

Miranda Was Brought Back To Earth By Baseball’s Worst Team

Ariel Miranda has been pitching out of this world lately. Yesterday, the Twins- the worst team in baseball- humbled him.

Miranda only pitched four innings, tying his season low when starting a game. In addition, he gave up two home runs in the game. It was the third time this month that he has allowed multiple home runs in a game.

However, what made Miranda’s outing even worse, was his inability to strike out a batter. It was the first time he had ever not K’d an opposing player in a game. That even includes the two games he came on as a reliever.

Next: Mariners: What We Learned Friday Night

While we have learned quite a lot today, we didn’t learn about winning. The Mariners will need to pick up a handful of W’s in the final week if they want to chase down their Wild Card competition.