Mariners Extend Winning Streak To Two Games

Apr 25, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; The Seattle Mariners celebrate after defeating the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Texas 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Remember when the 2014 Seattle Mariners were the worst team in the history of baseball? That was Tuesday. Now it’s Saturday, and the Mariners have put together a little winning streak. Two – count ’em – two wins, folks. This team just can’t stop stringing together the W’s. If they can keep this streak going all year – whichispossible – then the 2014 Seattle Mariners would likely be the best team in the history of baseball. Funny what a few days can do to your perceptions.

Okay, so it’s been a few days since the end of the horrific losing streak and not much has changed, aside from that the Mariners aren’t actively getting crushed by bottomfeeders anymore. The Marinersprojectto go a hair under .500 the rest of the way, putting them in their familiar fourth place and out of the playoffs. They are, of course, an extended winning streak away from becoming contenders, just like a lot of other baseball teams. But the Mariners just won, so we get to feel good about them. It’s good to feel good.

How did the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers?Roenis Eliaswas good, but he wasn’t the reason. Elias threw five and two thirds innings, striking out six and walking three. Strikeouts good, walks… acceptable, since Elias still must be viewed in the context of a fifth starter fresh out of AA. He allowed three runs, one of which came on anAdrian Beltredouble and two of which came on wild pitches, though the second of said wild pitches was in fact thrown byDominic Leone. The baserunner belonged to Elias, however, and this is yet another reason why FIP is better than ERA. But Elias was fine, and the bullpen was fine. The offense won the game. Here’s how.

Cole Gillespiemade his first Mariners appearance, batting eighth and playing right field. He was good! Okay, he didn’t get a single hit or walk, and wasn’t actually good, but he reached on an error to lead off the fifth.Mike Zuninostruck out, Gillespie was caught stealing, andAbraham Almontewas struck, by a pitch. Strike-em-out-throw-em-out is such a satisfying double play, unless it’s turned against your favorite team. Then it’s awful.Willie Bloomquistsingled, setting the table forRobinson Cano‘s two-run double. Imagine that sentence a year ago, then consider the reality that not only is Robinson Cano on the Mariners, but Willie Bloomquist sometimes bats directly in front of him. So weird. So surreal.

Things broke open in the eighth withNeal Cottson the mound. Robinson Cano singled.Corey Hartwas hit by a pitch.Stefen Romerosingled on a nice bunt.Justin Smoakdoubled in two runs.Kyle Seagersingled in one more. Nice try, Neal Cotts, you idiot.Alexi Ogandounleashed a wild pitch against intimidating pinch hitterDustin Ackley, which scored a run. This game was defined by run-scoring wild pitches. Those are goofy.Fernando Rodneycame in to close things out and was unthinkably awful, hitting a batter (another thing that happened a lot in this game!) and allowing two singles to load the bases. He walked in a run, then he walked in another. Ugh, closer.

Baseball tomorrow! Baseball all the time!Felix HernandezandColby Lewisare the starters. Felix Hernandez. Felix Hernandez. Felix Hernandez! Felix! Hernandez! Slightly strange 6:10pm start time. It’s Felix, in Seattle. Happy Felix Day! Go Felix!

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