Mariners turn to Gonzales, get 1-0 Win

After a 10-4 loss, the Mariners looked to get going against the lowly Chicago White Sox. Marco Gonzales took to the hill looking to get back on track after three rough starts in a row.

Gonzales was sharp and did not allow a runner past second base until the sixth inning. Using all of his pitches and beautifully working all parts of the strike zone Gonzales showed the type of pitcher he can be when he is locked in.

Both teams were scoreless through three innings until Kyle Seager worked a lovely seven-pitch at-bat against Chris Volstad and doubled to right center. Mitch Haniger, with a swing that would make Vlad Guerrero proud, brought Seager home with a single.

Trayce “Brother of Klay” Thompson led off the White Sox fifth with a hard hit ground ball that Jean Segura made a great diving stop and throw from his knees on. Segura’s throwing arm is impressive, to say the least.

The White Sox threatened in the sixth with runners on first and third but Gonzales struck out Matt Davidson looking to end the threat. Kudos to pitch framing expert Mike Zunino who really should get credit for the called third strike.

Gonzales exited the game after a leadoff double in the seventh, he was impressive going six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts. A hopeful sign for Mariners fans.

The combination of Dan Altavilla, Marc Rzepczynski, and Juan Nicasio held the White Sox scoreless into the ninth. Mike Zunino aided the bullpen along with a nifty sliding catch on a Jose Abreu foul to end the eighth.

The Mariners evened up the series, as Edwin Diaz was electric in a 1, 2, 3 ninth.

Tomorrow’s game against Chicago has the first pitch at 2:10 PST. Felix Hernandez (2-2, 5.06 era) will take the mound against James Shields (1-2, 6.17 era). As always Go, Mariners!

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Game Notes:

At some point, during Ben Gamel’s fifth-inning at-bat a White Sox fan yelled:”There are no girls in baseball!” Stay classy Chicago.

This is the Mariners first 1-0 win since July 16th, 2016.