M’s Start Road Trip with Series Win in Motown

After taking off from the PNW on Thursday, Seattle began their three-series road trip taking two of the three games against the Detroit Tigers. Though they coughed up a tough one on Mother’s Day today, the first two consisted of an offensive masterclass on Friday, and another gem by rookie Bryce Miller on Saturday. Here’s an in-depth look at all games, starting off with the series-opening win a few nights ago.

It was Marco Gonzales looking for his third win of the season facing off against former-Mariner and local guy, lefty Matt Boyd.

Seattle’s offense got to work early Friday night, thanks to singles by Jarred Kelenic in the first and J.P. Crawford in the second. After Crawford made it 2-0 in favor of the Mariners, Seattle kept their stride going in the second inning. After a bases loaded walk, a Julio Rodriguez sharp liner, and fielder’s choice, the M’s found themselves up a touchdown.

Marco was able to go six strong innings, allowing two earned runs on 89 pitches. Julio, who has dropped in the batting order, had himself a bounce back offensive game Friday. In the top of the ninth, his two-run home run put the M’s up 9-2, which was the final in the opener.

Seattle Mariners v Detroit Tigers

Julio Rodriguez celebrates with Manny Acta as he rounds third base after his ninth-inning two-run home run Friday night. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images

Looking to get over the .500 mark for the first time this season, it was rookie Bryce Miller starting his third game against righty Alex Faedo.

Like game one of the series, Seattle gave their young starter a cushion, again thanks to Jarred Kelenic, who went yard in the third give the M’s a two-run advantage. One inning later, Teoscar Hernandez smacked a hanging breaking ball into the left field seats for his eighth homer of the year, tying Kelenic for the team lead in that category.

It was again Miller time on Saturday afternoon. Seven shutout innings, striking out three, while allowing only three Detroit base hits. Check this stat out from ESPN Stats & Info: “Bryce Miller is the first pitcher to allow no more than 3 baserunners (H, BB, HBP) in 6+ innings pitched in each of his first 3 career MLB appearances since the mound was set at its current distance in 1893”. Needless to say, Bryce Miller is in very strong company after his third start, moving his record to 2-0, with an ERA of 0.47.

Seattle Mariners v Detroit Tigers

Rookie Bryce Miller improved his record to 2-0 as an MLB starting pitcher on Saturday night. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images

Matt Brash and Justin Topa came in after Miller, and kept the shutout intact, and Seattle won their second straight by a score of 5-0, and improving their record to a game over .500.

Looking to bust out the brooms on Mother’s Day, it was the thin man, Logan Gilbert going for Seattle.

After Gilbert’s shaky first inning (single, single, wild pitch), he was able to escape the home first by only allowing one run on a Javier Baez fielder’s choice.

Seattle responded in the third with three runs on singles by Ty France and Julio and a Teo Hernandez sacrifice fly. In the home half, Javy Baez singled home Riley Greene, and a few innings later, Akil Baddoo’s double knotted things up at three.

Gilbert’s day was done after five and 2/3 innings: three earned runs, four strikeouts, six hits. After Logan, it was up to Trevor Gott, Gabe Speier and Matt Brash. Gott was able to get the final put of the fifth, but Speier and Brash struggled.

Speier allowed a hit, and a walk, which turned into two runs for Detroit when Matt Brash hit Nick Maton with a pitch, and then walked Andy Ibanez, giving the Tigers a 5-3 lead. This time around, Seattle couldn’t find their late inning magic, as poor relief pitching was the main cause of a 5-3 loss Sunday.

Seattle, now at an even 20-20 on the season, heads east to Fenway, where they will face off against the Boston Red Sox beginning Monday night. Here is a look at the pitching matchups for the upcoming Boston series:

  • Monday 5/15 @ 4:10 PM – RHP George Kirby (4-2, 2.62 ERA) vs. RHP Tanner Houck (3-2, 5.26 ERA)
  • Tuesday 5/16 @ 4:10 PM – RHP Luis Castillo (2-1, 2.70 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (2-3, 6.23 ERA)
  • Wednesday 5/17 @ 4:10 PM – LHP Marco Gonzales (3-0, 4.42 ERA) vs. Brayan Bello (2-1, 5.01 ERA)

American League West standings as of Sunday night:

  • 1.Texas Rangers (25-15)
  • 2.Houston Astros (21-19)
  • 3.Los Angeles Angels (21-20)
  • 4.Seattle Mariners (20-20)
  • 5.Oakland Athletics (9-33)

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