In a quick two-game series before catching a flight to Anaheim for a lengthy road trip, the Mariners and Padres split, with San Diego winning on Tuesday night and Seattle taking the finale this afternoon.
Seattle, after facing the Braves for three games (taking two of three) and the Padres (split), every team ahead the rest of the way has a losing record. As of Wednesday, 9/14, here is a list of the teams, and their current records, that the M’s will face to close out the season:
- Four games @ Los Angeles Angels (61-82):
- Three games @ Oakland Athletics (51-91)
- Three games @ Kansas City Royals (57-85)
- Three games vs. Texas Rangers (62-80)
- Three games vs Oakland Athletics (51-91)
- Five games vs Detroit Tigers (54-89)
For the two other teams in the American League Wild Card race, their schedules look a bit different… meaning harder. The Tampa Bay Rays still have to face Toronto for three, Cleveland for three and Houston for six. The Toronto Blue Jays will still need to play Baltimore for six, Tampa Bay for three, and the New York Yankees for three.
After their victory on Wednesday, the Mariners now have a record of 80-62, which will make them even with Toronto in the race for the top American League Wild Card position, who plays Tampa Bay this evening.
Here is a look back at the past two games – a split against the San Diego Padres.
Tuesday night showcased a stellar pitching duel: Seattle’s Logan Gilbert up against San Diego’s Yu Darvish. Gilbert finished the ball game going five innings, allowing one earned run over five strikeouts. Unfortunately, he was tagged with the loss due to Darvish being almost unhittable. The savvy-veteran, Yu Darvish went eight innings, allowing a mere two hits, striking out seven Mariner batters.
Yu Darvish pitches during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
A two-out double by Wil Myers in the fourth was the difference maker in the opener. Seattle could not get anything going against Darvish and Closer Josh Hader. SD won the ballgame 2-0.
In the jerseys that the Mariners wore in their thrilling walk off victory on Sunday, they wasted no time, not even a single pitch, repping the same day-game cream jerseys on Wednesday afternoon. It was Hispanic Heritage game at T-Mobile Park.
The Dominican-Rookie Julio Rodriguez took Mike Clevinger’s first pitch deep into the bullpens to open up the home first. Two batters later, Venezuelan-born Eugenio Suarez hit a two-run shot into right center field. An early three-run cushion was all that Seattle needed in this one.
Dominican-born Carlos Santana added more insurance on a towering, three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth. In the same inning, Rodriguez stole second after being hit by a pitch. This stolen base gave the 21-year-old phenom the first 25-25 (HRs and SBs) rookie season since a guy named Mike Trout. It is only the third 25-25 rookie season in MLB history.
Seattle's Julio Rodriguez tips his helmet to Mariner fans after stealing his 25th base of the season. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
Dominican Starter Luis Castillo was on his A-game Wednesday. He struck out nine over six innings, not allowing a run. Much like Seattle in the game prior, the Padres really could not get anything going in this one. The game ended 6-1 in favor of the home team.
Like stated earlier, the Rays and Jays are playing today (and tomorrow) so their will be some shifting no matter what in the American League Wild Card race. Here is the most current version of the standings:
- Toronto Blue Jays (80-62), +0.5 GB
- Seattle Mariners (80-62), + 0.5 GB
- Tampa Bay Rays (79-62), – GB
- Baltimore Orioles (74-67), 5.0 GB