3/31/23

Guardians 9, Mariners 4

(Seattle, WA) It is a long a season and no team can win them all but losses like the Mariners suffered on Friday night are always a bit more frustrating. When it isn’t necessarily the other team doing too much of that work makes that loss sting that much more. Eight walks allowed by Mariner pitching and three errors put Seattle behind the eight ball as they took their first loss of the season to Cleveland 9-4.

Everything started off well for the M’s. Julio Rodriguez hit a leadoff double to right that just missed being the 22-year old’s first home run of the season. Kolten Wong picked up his first hit as a Mariner with a line drive to right center that score Julio to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead.

The lead disappeared in the top of the 2nd. Cleveland continued to put pressure on Robbie Ray as they loaded the bases with a couple of singles and a walk with nobody out. Myles Straw hit a fly ball to right and Teoscar Hernandez looked as if it would tie the game. An errant throw would not only allow Cleveland to tie the game but they would take the lead on the error 2-1. Steven Kwan drove in another run with another sacrifice fly to jumpstart his great game and the Mariners were in a 3-1 hole.

That score would hold until the bottom of the 3rd. A Kolten Wong walk and Ty France single followed by a wild pitch gave the Mariners runners on second and third with just one out. Teoscar Hernandez couldn’t cash in as he would strikeout after a twelve pitch at bat. Cal Raleigh would deliver the clutch two out blow with a base hit to the gap. Wong and France both scored with ease to tie the game at 3-3 on Raleigh’s first double of the season.

Cleveland would take the lead right back in the 4th. A double steal by Andres Gimenez and Myles Straw had runners on second and third with one out for the Guardians this time. Steven Kwan cashed in with a couple more RBI with a double to left field. That would end the day for Robbie Ray as he struggled in his debut just lasting 3 1/3 innings while allowing five runs and five walks in a rough debut for the former Cy Young winner.

Seattle would get a run back in the bottom half of the 4th. Cooper Hummel reached second after being hit by a pitch and stealing a base but with two outs, the M’s needed a hit to drive him in. Julio would deliver. A rocket to left went in and out of the glove of Steven Kwan in left and Hummel scored easily while Julio reached second with his second double of the game. It was right back to a one run game at 5-4.

The Mariners would not get any closer. The Guardians got to the bullpen and did plenty of damage to pull away down the stretch. A Kolten Wong error in the 5th turned what would have been a double play into more runs for Cleveland. Mike Zunino would single to load the bases and with two outs, Steven Kwan hurt the Mariners again. A base hit to left off of Trevor Gott drove in two more runs for Kwan and the Guardians extended their lead to 7-4. Amed Rosario followed with an RBI single to make it 8-4.

Josh Naylor drove in the final nail into the Mariners coffin in the 8th with an RBI single and Seattle wouldn’t be able to muster any more offensive threats. One of the best closers in the game in Emmanuel Clase slammed the door in the 9th and the Mariners fell short 9-4 in their first loss of 2023.

With the loss for the Mariners and the win for the Guardians, both teams are 1-1 headed into game three of the four game series on Saturday. Logan Gilbert will look to build off of a tremendous sophomore season as he makes his 2023 debut against Aaron Civale for Cleveland in a pivotal game three of the series.

Matt’s Takeaway

Friday night was a good reminder for everyone. It is a very long season and nobody can win them all. Defense was frustrating and Robbie Ray really struggled in his first start. We have to remember though, Cleveland is a very good team. They won the AL Central last season and made it to the ALDS before falling to the Yankees. You can’t give a good team free bases whether via the walk or an error. Those are little things the Mariners need to avoid against playoff caliber teams.

Notable Performences

Guardians

• Steven Kwan- 2-4, 2B, BB, 5 RBI
• Andres Gimenez- 2-4, BB, 3 R
• Hunter Gaddis (ND)- 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO

Angels

• Julio Rodriguez- 2-5, 2 2B, RBI, R
• Cal Raleigh- 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
• Robbie Ray (L, 0-1)- 3.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 3 SO

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