2014 Seattle Mariners Can’t Hit…Again
By Todd Pheifer
Apr 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (22) and Seattle Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak (17) celebrate with Seattle Mariners designated hitter Corey Hart (27) at home plate after Hart hit a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Mariners are struggling to hit…again. This feels a bit like 2013. And 2012. And 2011. And 2010.
We have seen this movie before, and it doesn’t have a good ending.
Some of you may feel like it is a bit early to declare this season an offensive failure. After all, we are only 11 games in. Unfortunately, the numbers are not looking promising…again.
The Mariners started out with so much promise, battering the Los Angeles Angels in the opening series by a combined score of 26-8. Now it would appear that the real Seattle Mariners have stood up, and they cannot hit.
On April 13, the Mariners lost the series finale to the Oakland A’s by a dismal score of 3-0, wasting a great effort by Chris Young. The M’s coaxed out three hits, two of which came from Robinson Cano. Meanwhile, the lineup struck out a combined 11 times.
Since that opening series against the Angels, the Mariners have scored 20 runs. For those of you scoring at home, that is over a span of eight games.
26 runs in three games. 20 runs in eight games. A little more balance, perhaps?
Robinson Cano is having a good season, hitting .333 for the year. He only has 4 RBI, but how can he knock anyone in when no one else gets on base? Can you imagine what the team batting average would look like if Cano wasn’t on the Mariners?
Dustin Ackley is also hitting well at .308, but was not in the lineup on Sunday. Until others step up, that guy has to be in the lineup every day. I don’t care if he is a suspect outfielder.
After Ackley there is a big drop to Mike Zunino (.257) and another sizeable drop to Brad Miller (.224). At the bottom, Kyle Seager is now hitting .121 for the year. Yikes.
You can analyze the sabermetrics all you want, but in baseball there are some simple statistical realities. If you don’t get hits, you won’t win. Period.
The Mariners are not defending the home turf of Safeco Field and they aren’t breaking out the lumber. Something needs to change.