This offense is an unstoppable killing machine right now, and it’s coming at you from all directions!
Last night, the Mariners overwhelmed the Astros 13-3 behind that awe-inspiring offense and some solid pitching from our Ace. Felix went 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 6. That’s your run of the mill Quality Start, but against this Astros team it’s pretty impressive. It’s like the equivalent of no-hitting the A’s or something.
This game was all about the bats, and they got started early:
- Dyson RBI double in the second
- Haniger RBI single in the third
- Valencia 2-run single in the third
- Zunino 3-run bomb in the third
- Gamel & Seager solo bombs in the fourth
- Valencia & Dyson scored on a 2-base wild pitch in the seventh
- Motter scored on another wild pitch in the seventh
- Cruz scored on a throwing error in the eighth
Every starter but Cano had a hit. Segura, Gamel, Seager, Dyson, and Zunino each had 2 hits; Valencia went 4 for 5. Like I said, it came from everywhere.
And, to top it off, we got to see Yovani Gallardo in relief with a huge lead under his belt. He got the 3-inning save by sparing the rest of the bullpen, and to top it off he actually didn’t give up any runs. WHAT A CONCEPT!
Of course, Gallardo is still with us because the Mariners sent Andrew Moore back to Tacoma. I know it sounds crazy in a vacuum, but the team has 2 off-days next week and will have no use for a fifth starter. They can give Moore a controlled start in Tacoma to keep him fresh, and bring him back after 10 days.
What this means for our bullpen at that point is anyone’s guess. My thinking is that, with Gallardo essentially locking down that long relief role (taking it away from the revolving door from Tacoma), the M’s will make Altavilla the odd man out, to work on his mechanics in AAA. Not the worst idea I’ve ever heard.
Gaviglio gets another start tonight against the best team in the league. Our 6-game winning streak is in serious jeopardy.