By Bel Garcia

Seattle, WA - The Mariners began their series against the Rangers on Monday night, looking to bounce back from a brutal sweep against the Houston Astros. A familiar face helped boost the offense early for Seattle, as Ty France had a three hit game. France has become a consistent hitter for this team and tonight was no different. He had the first hit of the game in the first inning, setting the stage for a performance that would help Seattle get back in the win column. In a tight close game (the sixth that the two teams have played against each other this season), the Mariners would need France and some bullpen heroics to pull out a victory.

However, it was the Rangers that would strike first, Ezequiel Duran turned a base hit single into a run in the in the top of the third . The run came from a wild pitch by Chris Flexen that went off the heel of Cal Raleigh’s glove, providing enough time for Duran to score. The bases were loaded for Texas after that run, but luckily the Mariners were able to keep the damage at one for the inning. While Ty France had a big presence in this one, he did have some help. In the fourth inning, France singled to right center, Eugenio Suarez helped him out with a shattered bat, advancing him to second base. Cal Raleigh followed that with a hit of his own down the first base line, and picked up the RBI, scoring France. The first run for the Mariners, but the bases would remain loaded with Abraham Toro up to bat. On a wild pitch to Toro, Eugenio Suarez hesitated for a slight second in what looked like uncertainty of time to get to home plate. Suarez took a spectacular dive to home plate, and was safe. Suarez would give the Mariners the lead for the first time in the ballgame. The lead would continue to grow for the Mariners as the game went on, Ty France had the only homerun for the Mariners at the bottom of the 5 th , his 13 th of the season. The Rangers were quick to respond, as Adolis Garcia had the first homerun for Texas at the top of the 6 th to keep the game within one scoring run. In another loaded bases situation for the Mariners, a Carlos Santana RBI scored Haggerty.

Diego Castillo with a 4-2 lead struggled in the top of the 9 th inning, he usually has a good close out performance, but things got dicey. Nathaniel Lowe was able to get a homerun cutting the lead to one scoring run. Erik Swanson relieved Castillo and held off the Rangers for the Mariners to take the win. Seattle will try to win the series on Tuesday in another sunny evening at T- Mobile Park. Young stater George Kirby will return to the mound for the Mariners after having spent time with the Tacoma Rainiers in an effort to control his work load.

https://www.whereweconverge.com/circling-seattle-sports