By Bel Garcia

Seattle, WA - The Mariners have clinched a playoff berth for a Wild Card position, but they must still finish the regular season strong as they fight for a chance to bring the postseason to T-Mobile Park. They welcomed the Detroit Tigers to Seattle tonight for the first of a four-game series. Unfortunately, the Mariners were unable to secure a win in tonight’s game, losing 4-3. The Mariners are now 28-23 in season openers, and 11-14 when opening the series at T-Mobile Park.

It’s something that is mentioned frequently, the Mariners pitching has held them through some rough offensive games. However, that was not quite the case in tonight’s matchup, on the mound was George Kirby to start the game. He allowed runs in the first inning, a two-run homer in the in the third, and a one-run RBI in the fourth. Kirby’s time on the mound came to an end with only four innings pitched and a line of six hits, four runs, four earned runs, three walks, five strikeouts, and one home run allowed. This performance is not what we are used to from Kirby, he’s had 19 walks and 128 strikeouts in in 24 starts this season and has the second highest strikeout-to-walk ratio in Major League history through 24 starts. Off nights are allowed for any professional athlete, and the Mariners offense picked things up to sustain a close game tonight. The bullpen also did a great job in not letting this game get too out of reach, after Kirby was relieved, Matt Brash, Matt Boyd, and Diego Castillo all held the Detroit Tigers to avoid any more runs.

Julio Rodriguez returned to the lineup tonight for the series opener against the Detroit Tigers. He did not take his position in Center Field, instead Scott Servais is easing him back in by having him in the lineup as designated hitter. Julio also kept his position in the lineup as leadoff hitter, he had no resemblance of rust in his first at bat, he made his way around the bases and scored the first scoring run for the Mariners off a Eugenio Suarez RBI. This was a good sign for the Mariners with two of their reliable players getting hits in their first at bats. Prior to the start of the game, manager Scott Servais assured the media that Julio’s back issues had subsided within a couple of days of being placed on the injury list. Maybe it was a precautionary measure, but Julio was seen keeping his back warm with a heating pad while in the dugout. Julio’s performance didn’t signify that he was still dealing with any sort of pain, in four at bats he converted three hits and one RBI. Two of those hits were singles and the RBI came from a double in the seventh inning to cut the Tigers lead to one scoring run. Tonight, he secured his spot on a prestigious list of players aged 21 or younger with 25+ doubles, 25+ home runs, and 25+ stolen bases, per Mariners PR.

In previous games we have seen Seattle rely too much on the long ball, other times leaving too many runners stranded on base. Tonight, all the Mariners scoring runs came in the form of an RBI a positive sign that the offense can produce hits when the pitching is struggling. They may have to face more adversity in these final games as Sam Haggerty appeared to hurt his groin in a successful attempt to steal second base. Game two and three of the series take place in a Tuesday doubleheader, with Chris Flexen on the mound.