White Sox Top Mariners, 6-1

The White Sox, behind Jose Quintana, downed the Mariners 6-1 at Safeco Field, continuing the Mariners’ up-and-down trend.

The Chicago White Sox bounced back after a heartbreaking walk-off loss last night to beat the Mariners by a score of 6-1 last night at Safeco Field in Seattle. Both starters pitched well, but the Sox offense was able to add on late against the M’s bullpen. Meanwhile, the Mariners’ offense was unable to muster anything against Chicago’s struggling pen.

The White Sox have scored all of their runs this series via four home runs. The Mariners have alternated wins and losses for the last 9 games in a row now.

All-Star lefty Jose Quintana got off to a great start against the Mariners, striking out five of the first six batters he faced. The M’s offense made Jose throw a lot of pitches, but he was able to wiggle his way out of jams in the 4th, 5th, and 6th inning.

The last batter Quintana faced was Daniel Robertson, who he got to fly out to end the 6th with the bases loaded. The M’s could only muster 1 run off Quintana, on a solo home run by Robinson Cano.

Things started off pretty well for Wade Miley, who had also given up just one run on a solo home run by Brett Lawrie going into the 7th inning. It was then when the wheels started to come off just a bit. A long at bat by Melky Cabrera to lead off the inning ended with another solo home run, this one a go-ahead blast to left. Miley would be pulled after giving up another couple base runners and having thrown 97 pitches, albeit in an overall promising performance.

Tom Wilhelmsen would replace Miley, and gave up an RBI single to J.B. Schuck to give the White Sox an insurance run and a 3-1 7th inning lead.

After Edwin Diaz struck out the side in order in the 8th, Joaquin Benoit came in to try to keep the game close. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do that and the Sox would send eight men to the plate in the 9th. After Cabrera led off the inning by working a walk, Todd Frazier hit his 27th home run of the season to give the White Sox a 5-1 lead. Once again Benoit could not finish the inning he was brought in to pitch. Instead, with two outs David Rollins came in and gave up another run before finally getting the Mariners out of the 9th.

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The Mariners would fail to put much pressure on the White Sox bullpen in the last few innings, and the magic from last night’s walk off victory faded with each of Chicago’s three game-breaking home runs. Tomorrow, the Mariners look to capitalize on the return of their ace, Felix Hernandez; hoping to take the three-game series and even their record on the homestand at three wins and three losses.

Today’s Probables: It will be an exciting day today for the Mariners and their fans as Felix Hernandez makes his return to the mound in game three of their series against the White Sox. Felix makes his first start since May 27th after dealing with a strained right calf. Miguel Gonzalez goes for the White Sox. He has pitched well in July for Chicago, giving up just five earned runs in his last 20 pitched innings.

Felix Hernandez 4-4, 2.86 ERA  vs.  Miguel Gonzalez 2-5, 4.40 ERA

Mentionables: Clayton Kershaw suffered a setback in his rehab and now the timetable for his return is “uncertain.” Pirates prospect Jameson Taillon took a line drive off his head today in a scary moment, thankfully he would stay in the game to pitch, not seriously hurt. Aroldis Chapman supposedly hit 105 on the radar gun in his save last night.

Next: Mariners Lose First Second-Half Series

Today’s Date in Baseball History: This is not the Mariners pitching coach, it’s his father, but I found it to be interesting.