The Bats Sing in Detroit Rock City, M’s Sweep Struggling Tigers

After winning the four-game series against the Guardians last weekend, Seattle flew across the country and won three in-a-row against the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park. The series began on Tuesday after the off/travel day Monday. The Mariners did what they should do, didn’t play down to their competition, and swept away the Tigers with ease.

After today’s brunch-ball, series-sweeping victory, the M’s have now won four consecutive, six of seven, and are now a season-best 15 games over .500. Seattle is now tied (for now) with Tampa Bay, holding a two-game lead for the #1 American League Wild Card spot.

The M’s will face Detroit in a four-game series at home to finish the regular season 10/3-5 (D.H. on 10/4).  

It was nice to see the Mariners score in more ways than just the home run this series, even though they decided they should sprinkle at least two home runs in every game against the Tigers. Let’s recap the three games in the Motor City, beginning with Tuesday night’s series-opener.

The Mariners could very well have two names thrown in the AL Rookie-of-the-Year mix: obviously Julio Rodriguez, and in my opinion (and I am sure many others as well) Starter George Kirby.

Kirby seems to get better every outing, where on Tuesday he spun five innings of no-run, two-hit ball. He had five strikeouts and was seriously picked up by the bats. Ty France for the second game in a row proved to everyone that Ty France is still very good at baseball. He got the scoring going in the second with a 438-foot bomb, the second longest opposite field home run this season in all of baseball.

But it was the third inning that kicked the teeth in on the Tigers. Cal Raleigh hit a solo home run, and not one, two, or three, but four RBI singles (Mitch Haniger, Eugenio Suarez, Ty France, Adam Frazier) followed. In total, the M’s scored six in the third, and nine in the game. Chris Flexen got his first career save after pitching four innings in relief, and the M’s took the opener, 9-3.

Seattle Mariners v Detroit Tigers

2022 Seattle Mariners All-Stars Julio Rodriguez and Ty France celebrate after France hit a solo home run to open the scoring on Tuesday. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images

Eugenio Suarez wasted no time against Alexander (probably should have been a solo, if you know, you know about J-Rod’s walk) and hit a two-run opposite field shot in the first. The Tigers climbed back in the second to tie it up at 2’s.

Detroit took the lead in the sixth, and then Abraham Toro (recently recalled – Dylan Moore to the IL) followed an Adam Frazier triple with a first-pitch, two-run home run deep into the right field stands in the top of the seventh. Seattle was able to add an insurance run on a bases-loaded walk in the ninth.

Los Bomberos made their first appearance in Detroit and did not disappoint. Andres Munoz and Erik Swanson both struck out two of the three they faced. Sewald was a little bit iffy, but still got the job done to close it out in the home ninth, and Seattle won 5-3.

Seattle Mariners v Detroit Tigers

Adam Frazier and Abraham Toro smack elbows in celebration after Toro hit a two-run, game-changing home run Wednesday night. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images

Today’s 10:10 start was early for some, but great for the employees/students looking for a distraction in the middle of the day.

Logan Gilbert spun a gem, and the offense crushed Detroit starter, Eduardo Rodriguez. Gilbert finished after six innings with nine strikeouts, surrendering only two hits and one walk, not allowing a run.

Ty France is very much back. He added two more hits, including a home run which followed Julio Rodriguez’s 22nd home run in the third. Backup catcher Curt Casali smacked an oppo two run double in the game as well.

Sam Haggerty almost made one of the craziest catches ever towards the end of Wednesday’s game. He went full speed, long-jump into the left field seat netting, bounced back off of the net with the ball in his glove, hit the dirt and the ball popped out. The ball may have hit the net before it was in his glove, but names like “Spider-Swaggerty” (or something of that nature) might last for one of Seattle’s fan favorites.

Reliver Matt Boyd had a shining smile on his face in the dugout after pitching for his hometown team, and in the MLB for the first time this season. He went an easy 1-2-3 in the eighth. Seattle shutout Detroit, 7-0.

The M’s will head to Cleveland and face off with the team they just won three out of four against last weekend. The Guardians still lead the American League Central by 1.5 games over Minnesota. Lucky for the Mariners, they will not face Shane Bieber or Triston McKenzie. Not only that, but Seattle will have their three hottest starters looking for a successful series and road trip.

Beginning tomorrow at Progressive Field, it’ll be Luis Castillo against Zach Plesac, Saturday is Robbie Ray vs. Aaron Civale and Sunday’s midday finale will feature George Kirby and Cal Quantrill.

Updated AL Wild Card Standings as of 2:00 PM Thursday:

  • Tampa Bay Rays (72-57), +2.0 GB
  • Seattle Mariners (73-58), +2.0 GB
  • Toronto Blue Jays (70-59), -- GB
  • Baltimore Orioles (68-61), 2.0 GB
  • Minnesota Twins (67-62), 3.0 GB

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