Marco Boosted By Early Runs, Mariners Win 6-4

The Mariners were victorious in the Giants home opener, winning 6-4. Seattle used a blend of offensive might, solid defense and baserunning to ruin the Opening Day festivities of the Giants.
The Mariners got off to a sizzling start against Giants starter Ty Blach. Dee Gordon started things off with an infield single, followed by a bunt single from Jean Segura. Robinson Cano then walked, which loaded the bases for Mitch Haniger. Haniger found some grass, and plated 2 runs. Kyle Seager and Ryon Healy then followed with RBI singles, and just like that the Mariners were up 4-0.
The Giants got their first run of the game on a Joe Panik solo Home Run in the 4th, his third of the season. In the 5th, the Mariners chased Ty Blach with adding 2 more runs to put the Mariners up 6-1. Robinson Cano drove in a run with a double just over the head of LF Hunter Pence. Guillermo Heredia added a Sac fly. Ty Blach finished with 4.1 innings, 10 hits, 6 earned runs, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
Coming into this game, Evan Longoria was still searching for his first hit of the season (0-15). His first hit came in the 7th, a 2-run Home run off of Mariners starter Marco Gonzales to make the score 6-3. Marco pitched very well, going 6.1 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits, no walks and struck out two.
The Giants used two challenges in today’s ballgame, and won them both. the 2nd challenge came in the bottom of the 8th, when pinch hitter Andres Blanco hit a ball that landed on the chalk in left field and rolled to the wall. The hit was originally ruled a foul ball, but after 3 minutes of review, it was finally called a hit.
Another shaky outing for Juan Nicasio, who came into the ballgame in the 8th. He game up a run on 3 hits. With runners on the corners and two outs, Nicasio got Buster Posey to ground out to end the 8th with only 1 run in.
Edwin Diaz came in for his third save opportunity of this short season, and he didn’t disappoint. He got Longoria and Pence to strikeout. He now has pitched 3 innings and struck out 8 of 9. Diaz is on fire to start this season off, and the Mariners will continue to need him to keep being consistent.
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The Player of the Game was Marco Gonzales., who gets his first win of the season. Even with giving up 2 home runs, he was able to force a lot of ground balls. Marco let his defense do work behind him, and he didn’t walk anybody. Marco should feel extremely confident moving forward, and Mariners fans should look to see him pitch next in Kansas City next week.
Not all good news today though, as Nelson Cruz is hitting the 10 day Disabled List with an ankle sprain. In a corresponding move, the M’s recalled Infielder Taylor Motter from AAA Tacoma. With 2 off days, 2 games in an NL park and extremely cold weather, this move makes sense. Dan Vogelbach will fill in at DH when needed.