Dee Goes Griffey, Leake Shuts Down Cleveland, M’s Win 5-4

The Seattle Mariners celebrated Easter Sunday with a grinding, well fought, and hard-earned victory over Cleveland today by a 5-4 final. The win gave the Mariners its first series win of 2018.

After a frustrating loss on Saturday, which saw the Mariners lose not only the game, but also Nelson Cruz, the Mariners bounced back on Sunday. The win featured a little bit of everything for Seattle.

The Mariners used some “clutch” hitting, solid defense, grinding AB’s, power pitching, and the long ball to grind out their first series win of 2018.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the 7th inning, the Mariners would use the long ball to grab the lead, and never surrender it. Dee Gordon, yes that Dee Gordon, started the party with a towering, solo home run off Dan Otero to give the Mariners a 3-2 lead.

Terry Francona then brought in Tyler Olson, who gave up a single to Robinson Cano, bringing Mitch Haniger to the plate. Needless to say, Francona’s decision to allow Olson to face the red-hot Haniger blew up spectacularly, as Haniger launched a ball into the stands to give the Mariners a 5-2 lead.

After a shaky outing from Juan Nicasio, Scott Servais handed the ball to Edwin Diaz with a 5-4 lead in the 9th. After a shaky outing on Friday, Diaz was unhittable on Sunday. He struck out the side, using his lethal combo of 98 MPH heaters and his wipeout slider to dispatch of the Tribe easily.

While Dee Gordon showed off his pop, he also showed off his upside in center with this nifty catch in the 4th inning:

He's a natural. ⚡#TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/A7lURGHdgB
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 1, 2018

Not to be overlooked is the great start from RHP Mike Leake. In his first full season with Seattle, Leake was on his game today. He scattered 5 hits over 7 innings, allowing just 2 earned. Leake struck out 4 and walked 3 on 101 pitches.

Leake gave Seattle exactly what they needed, and the offense and bullpen finished off the Indians.

Seattle will enjoy an off day tomorrow, before a brief 2 game series in San Francisco. Left-handed pitcher Marco Gonzales will make his 2018 debut on Tuesday. The Giants have yet to announce their starter. The game will start a 1:10 PDT

The Seattle Mariners celebrated Easter Sunday with a grinding, well fought, and hard-earned victory over Cleveland today by a 5-4 final. The win gave the Mariners its first series win of 2018.

Not to be overlooked is the great start from RHP Mike Leake. In his first full season with Seattle, Leake was on his game today. He scattered 5 hits over 7 innings, allowing just 2 earned. Leake struck out 4 and walked 3 on 101 pitches.

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