Mariners at Angels Series Recap
By Ben Renner
The Mariners won another series this weekend, their fourth road series win in a row to start the season.
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The Mariners took two of three from the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend, earning their fourth consecutive road series win. They are now 9-9 overall and 8-4 on the road to start the season.
In game one, pinch hitter Franklin Gutierrez singled home shortstop Ketel Marte in the top of the 10th inning to give the Mariners the lead. Nelson Cruz would follow with a two-run home run to add some insurance and Mariners won 5-2. Hisashi Iwakuma started the game in place of Felix Hernandez, who was scratched late due to an illness. He pitched eight innings, giving up two runs on six hits, including solo home runs by C.J. Cron and Kole Calhoun.
In game two, Felix Hernandez felt better and pitched well, but the Mariners yet again couldn’t come up with enough support to get him a win. He set the franchise strikeout record by getting Angels outfielder Rafael Ortega to tip a pitch into catcher Chris Iannetta‘s glove. But the King gave up a home run to Mariners (and King Felix) nemesis Mike Trout in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference.
In the rubber match, the Mariners sent struggling starter Wade Miley out to clinch the series. The Mariners jumped on Angels starter Matt Shoemaker for four runs in the top of the first inning, but Miley almost gave it all back in the bottom half, allowing three runs, including a two-run home run by Albert Pujols (his 563rd home run, tying Reggie Jackson). He would only allow one more run after that in his 7.1 innings of work. Meanwhile the Mariners chased Shoemaker before he got an out in the fourth inning with three more runs, including a two-run home run by center fielder Leonys Martin. Seth Smith would ice the game with another two-run home run in the ninth and the Mariners won 9-4.
Next: Player Profile: Wade Miley
Kyle Seager could be bursting from his early-season slump after belting a three-run home run in the first inning of the final game off of Shoemaker, and shortstop Ketel Marte stayed hot in Los Angeles. The Mariners return home tonight to start a series against the Houston Astros at 7:05.