And in doing so, they got through a left-handed starter!

After their season’s offensive nadir – back-to-back shutout losses in Boston – the Mariners started hitting again.  They had 16 hits in the finale against the Red Sox, and 10 more hits against the Rockies the next day, but they only had a combined 11 runs to show for it.  It was only a matter of time before their hitting with RISP turned around, and indeed that day was yesterday.  19 hits and 10 runs against the Rockies, while going 6 for 15 with RISP, in a 10-4 victory.

Segura had 4 hits; Cano had 2 hits, 2 runs, and an RBI; Gamel had 3 hits in relief of Nelson Cruz – who left early in the game with a strained calf – Heredia had 3 hits; Zunino had 2 hits.  But, the star of the show was Kyle Seager:  3 for 5 with a double, a homer, 3 runs scored and 4 RBI.  I wouldn’t say Seager is explosively hot right now, but he’s got 5 doubles over the last week, and it wouldn’t shock me to see him really start to pour it on heading into June.

Ariel Miranda was rolling through 4 innings, gave up a couple runs in the 5th, and was pulled after that for a pinch hitter (because stupid National League rules).  The bullpen really did a fine job, though.  Casey Lawrence ate up 2.2 innings, giving up just the 1 run.  Scrabble was able to get us out of a mini-jam in the 8th, when this thing still could’ve gone sideways, and Altavilla got through the ninth after the Mariners padded their lead beyond the need for their closer.

I don’t have a lot to add, other than James Paxton returns tonight.  Like Blowers mentioned on the broadcast last night, I too would expect Paxton to be on a bit of a limited pitch count.  Ryne Harper was sent back to Tacoma without making an appearance, which is really a good news/bad news situation (bad news for him, anyway, as I’m sure he would’ve loved to have made his Major League debut).  If the Mariners can win tonight, they will salvage a 14-14 month of May, which again is another baby step in the right direction.  Considering the Mariners went 4-12 in the middle part of the month, that’s a nice turnaround.

The post below this talks about why the Mariners probably won’t be huge sellers at the deadline, so feel free to dig into that one if you need more to read.