Mariners notebook: McClendon calls rumbling offense, pitching ‘scary’

Lloyd McClendon nailed it six days ago.

“I feel our offense is starting to rumble a little bit,” the Mariners’ manager said. “I think we have got a run coming. I feel real good about that. I feel good about the balance in the lineup. We have got some pro hitters in the lineup. I think we are going to get on a run here and with our pitching, it could be scary.”

Since that pregame interview the Mariners have scored 40 runs.

Of course, with the pitching they have they don’t need the almost six runs per game we have seen in this stretch, but we are not about to look a gift offense in the mouth. It is especially good to see after the drought following the All-Star break. From July 18 to July 30, the team averaged just 2.7 runs per game. Since the 2-0 shutout in Cleveland on July 30, Seattle has averaged just over five runs per game.

For this team it is all about the magic number of four. The Mariners are 47-10 when they score four or more. Over the last 15 games they have averaged 4.5 runs per game, and they are 10-0 in games where they have scored four or more. They have lost just two games since June 25 where they have scored four or more.

How about the number three? The team is 58-17 when scoring three or more runs. The pitching staff has yet to allow more than three runs in a game this month. That 10-game streak is a new club record.

A rumbling offense and the best pitching staff in the majors? Scary indeed.

Lineup!

Austin Jackson, 8
Dustin Ackley, 7
Robinson Cano, 3
Kendrys Morales, DH
Kyle Seager, 5
Chris Denorfia, 9
Mike Zunino, 2
Logan Morrison, 3
Chris Taylor, 6

Chris Young

Notes

• Coming into this start, Chris Young is just just 3 1/3 innings shy of the most innings he has pitched since 2007.

• Roenis Elias is scheduled to throw three or four innings Wednesday for Triple-A Tacoma. He will pitch either the second or third game against the Phillies next week.

• TBA is the listed starter for the Tigers Sunday but it most likely will be Robbie Ray. Justin Verlander was originally scheduled to start that game against the Mariners but is being held back after an MRI on his shoulder revealed inflammation.

• Brad Miller took early work at first base today.

• Honors for a couple of Mariners minor leaguers as Jesus Montero was named PCL player of the month and Jordy Lara – who has since been promoted to Double-A Jackson – took the honors for High-A.