Zach Shank Leads Mariners To Narrow 4-3 Victory Versus Rockies

The Mariners let the Colorado Rockies tie the game up twice but ultimately squeezed out a 4-3 victory behind key RBIs off the bat of M’s minor leaguer, Zach Shank.

The Mariners had two different starters take the mound today versus the Rockies. First, it was Yovani Gallardo on the mound looking to rebound from his atrocious first start in spring ball

First, it was Yovani Gallardo on the mound looking to rebound from his atrocious first start in spring ball. He was followed by James Paxton who was making his 2017 spring debut.

Gallardo redeemed himself from his previous line of 1 IP, 4 ER, 1 HBP, and 2 BB with a much more composed line of 3 IP, 1H, 0 ER, and 3 K’s.

Paxton, on the other hand, began his spring much like his counterpart, struggling as soon as he took the mound. He gave up two runs via a home run allowed as well as giving up two more hits in two innings of work.

But pitching wasn’t the story on this day; it was the bat of a fairly unfamiliar Mariners minor leaguer that led the M’s to the promise land for the sixth win in the Cactus League.

After a home run by Mike Zunino in the 2nd for his second hit, first home run, and first RBI of the spring to put the M’s up 2-0 and after a game-tying blast by the Rockies, Ian Desmond to make it 2-2, Shank delivered his first big hit of the game, a double that scored Kyle Waldrop to put the M’s up 3-2.

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Then, after the Rockies tied it up again, this time at three apiece from a sacrifice fly in the 8th, Shank took it upon himself to put the Mariners back on top, this time with a single that would bring in pinch-runner, Ian Miller in from third base. Miller had replaced Tyler Marlette who had doubled to lead off the 9th.

The Mariners were up 4-3 and would hold on for the win thanks to a strong close out effort by reliever, Christian Bergman.

Shank’s heroics helped the Mariners to a closely contested 7-4 win the other day versus the Cleveland Indians with a two-RBI single that was part of a big five-run 6th inning for the M’s.

Shank is now batting .600 in very limited playing time this spring, but his strong start should give him confidence as he begins the 2017 season in the minors with the hopes of getting a call-up to Safeco.

Next: Mariners Lose Big Versus Rangers

The M’s will take on their division rival, Oakland Athletics tomorrow at 12:10 PST in the team’s first televised game of the spring. You can catch the game on ROOT Sports or MLBTV.