Notebook: Despite dramatic win, Mariners’ problems still present
Jun 25, 2016, 5:27 PM | Updated: 5:30 pm
(AP)
Perhaps overlooked after the Mariners’ thrilling walkoff win on Friday night were the reasons Adam Lind’s home run was necessary: a bad showing by a key reliever and poor production with runners in scoring position.
Before Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal gave up three runs without recording an out in the ninth, Seattle setup man Joaquin Benoit had all sorts of command problems, issuing three free passes and hitting another batter, eventually walking in the tying run before being pulled. Donn Roach did well enough in relief of Benoit, but two more runs scored when Kyle Seager couldn’t handle a hot shot to third.
Benoit was signed in the offseason to be a reliable piece of the bullpen who could also be insurance if closer Steve Cishek faltered, but the 38 year old has one DL stint under his belt and struggled to the tune of a 4.50 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. He also has 11 walks to 19 strikeouts, which is off the much better ratios he posted in each of the past six seasons.
The frustrating part for the Mariners was that Benoit’s appearance erased a lead built after they finally received a strong outing from a starting pitcher, as southpaw Wade LeBlanc perplexed the Cardinals over six innings that was reminiscent of Jamie Moyer’s glory days. Also frustrating was the lack of run support provided by the Mariners, who scored just one run – on a fielder’s choice, no less – before the ninth.
It may have been a much-needed win for Seattle, ending a six-game losing streak, but the Mariners aren’t out of the woods yet. The problems that have plagued them over the entire month of June were still present Friday night. Luckily there are a couple new arms in the bullpen and a starting rotation that will look much more healthy in a week or two.
Notes
• Seattle manager Scott Servais said the news on injured rookie starter Adrian Sampson was worse than expected; the 24-year-old from Sammamish will undergo season-ending elbow surgery. A positive is that it won’t be Tommy John surgery, which Sampson has had performed on his right arm once before.
• Wade Miley is expected back from the disabled list to start Wednesday vs. Pittsburgh after all reports were good from his scoreless, four-inning rehab start for Single-A Everett on Friday. As for Felix Hernandez, his recovery is starting to ramp up. Servais indicated The King has bullpen sessions in his near future, followed by either a sim game or rehab assignment if all continues to go well.