Without France, Kirby, or Rodriguez, shorthanded Mariners fall to Oakland
By Bel Garcia, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Mariners won the series opener against the Oakland Athletics with a shutout win, in which the offense provided seven runs of support for starting pitcher Bryan Woo. In tonight’s game, they looked to win the series against the A’s, although they were dealing some late changes to the lineup. It was announced that starting pitcher George Kirby would be a late scratch due to an illness, and with only minutes before the game, another late scratch was announced. Superstar centerfielder Julio Rodriguez also sat this one out with left foot soreness, an unknown issue prior until half an hour before first pitch. It is uncertain whether this will keep Rodriguez out for multiple games or if missing tonight’s game is all he’s held out for. Later on in the ballgame, things continued to get bizarre as first baseman Ty France exited with a left wrist contusion as he was hit with an odd pickoff attempt from new starting pitcher Luke Weaver.
Seattle Mariners right handed pitcher Luke Weaver had to make a spot start, as slated starter George Kirby was out with an illness (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Right hander Luke Weaver got the start in place of Kirby, his first start of the season for the Mariners. Seattle, who had won all games played against Oakland this year, started this one from behind. Weaver allowed a home run in the first inning; as Athletics right fielder Seth Brown slammed a solo shot to right field on a sweeper to put the A’s up early. In the second inning, Weaver gave up a two-run homer to catcher Shea Langeliers, who hit a four-Seam fastball and drove in third baseman Jordan Diaz. Prior to tonight, Oakland hadn’t hit a homer in their previous three games – they now had two. Not all bad, Weaver displayed some strong stuff on the mound and assisted on defense when needed, notably making an impossible sliding catch and throw to Ford for the third out of the third inning. His time on the mound came to an end in the top of the fourth. His final line on this start: 3.2 innings pitched, seven hits, three runs (all earned), and two homers allowed on 70 pitches.
Seattle Mariners right fielder Teoscar Hernandez represented the only run that the team scored, and continued his hit streak (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
The Mariners finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, as with the bases loaded, centerfielder Cade Marlowe drew a walk to score Teoscar Hernandez for their only run of the game. Teoscar started the inning for the Mariners with his only hit of the game, increasing his hitting streak to eight games. Other runners reached base on walks and a wild pitch. Oakland starting pitcher Ken Waldichuk felt some pressure in this inning to get himself out of the jam, but was able to do so and leave three runners on base. After the Marlowe walk, he was successful in avoiding further damage from Seattle.
The Seattle Mariners offense largely struggled in tonight’s game, with only two hits through the first eight innings (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Despite having left ten runners on base in this ballgame, the Mariners only had two hits through eight innings. One from Hernandez in the fourth, and the other didn’t come until the eighth by Ford. Pinch hitting for Jose Caballero, Josh Rojas singled and JP Crawford doubled to tie that amount in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Mariners a chance. Despite the momentum seeing to sway in their favor, the offense couldn’t complete the comeback. With the many lineup changes the Mariners had, Seattle may have been frazzled. Or, perhaps after having such high scoring games, a slower performance was due. The undefeated streak against the A’s this year is now broken with this 3-1 loss.
Losing Julio for the game is tough blow to the Mariners offense; Rodriguez has been red hot at the plate, racking up four+ hits in five games over the last ten games. This is the most by any player in a ten-game span since 1900. He has hit safely in 13 consecutive games and leads the American League with 153 hits this season. The Mariners have seen good offensive outings from other players in the lineup as Teoscar Hernandez is on a streak of his own, with an active eight game hitting streak, he has been one of the best hitters in the AL in August.
Quick notes
Seattle dropped tonight’s middle game to the Athletics by a 3-1 score.
Seattle is now 8-1 against Oakland this season.
Despite the loss, Seattle has won 12 of its last 14 games.
Seattle is 20-6 during the month of August with 1 game left in the month (tomorrow vs. OAK)…with a win, Seattle would set a franchise record for most wins (21) in a calendar month.
A win tomorrow would also secure the Mariners 11th series victory over its last 12 series.
Tonight marked the largest Tuesday crowd at T-Mobile Park (44,280) since April 8, 2014 vs. the Angels, the Mariners home opener that season… that game drew 45,661 in a 5-3 Seattle win.
Despite dropping the game, the Mariners extended their streak of either winning the game or losing by 2-or-fewer runs to 37 games.
The franchise-record streak is tied for the 9th-longest such streak in MLB history...Seattle most recently lost a game by 3+ runs on July 19 vs. Minnesota.
Seattle had just 2 hits heading into the 9th inning before Josh Rojas (pinch-hit single) and J.P. Crawford (double) supplied back-to-back hits.
Teoscar Hernández extended his season-high hitting streak to 8 games with the Mariners first hit in the 4th inning…he was the only Mariners player to record a hit until the 8th inning.
He recorded a single, a HBP and a run tonight
Hernández recorded Seattle’s run when Cade Marlowe walked with bases loaded in the 4th inning.
Mike Ford recorded Seattle’s second hit in the 8th inning.
Luke Weaver made his first start with the Mariners since being signed to a 1-year Major League contract on Aug. 22.
He allowed 7 hits, 3 runs (3 earned), no walks and 2 home runs through 3.2 innings.
The Mariners bullpen (Isaiah Campbell, Matt Brash, Trent Thornton and Tayler Saucedo) combined for 5.1 innings, allowing no runs on 2 hits and no walks, striking out 3 batters.
George Kirby was scratched from tonight's start due to being under the weather.
Julio Rodríguez was scratched from tonight's lineup with left foot soreness.
Ty France left the game before the 3rd inning with a left wrist contusion.
Mike Ford replaced France at 1st base.
The series is tied 1-1, rubber match is scheduled for a midday Wednesday match up.