Mariners going for rare opening-series sweep
Apr 2, 2014, 6:42 PM | Updated: 7:20 pm
By Shannon Drayer
ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Mariners will go for just the second ever opening-series sweep in club history when they take on the Angels tonight. The only other time Seattle has swept the first series of the season was in 1985 against the Tigers.
A little bit of a different lineup as James Paxton makes his season debut.
Lineup!
Abraham Almonte, 8
Brad Miller, 6
Robinson Cano, 4
Justin Smoak, 3
Corey Hart, DH
Stefen Romero, 9
Dustin Ackley, 7
Mike Zunino, 2
Willie Bloomquist, 5
James Paxton
Lineup notes: Yes, Willie Bloomquist makes his Mariners re-debut. Manager Lloyd McClendon said that he would work to get everyone in as early as possible and tonight Bloomquist becomes the last position player to get a start. Robinson Cano is hitting third, where we will most likely see him all year. Interestingly enough, while the team has scored 18 runs in the first two games, Cano has yet to get an RBI. This is a good thing because those RBIs are coming. McClendon had high praise for Paxton before the game, saying he threw better than anyone in camp this spring.
Notes
• LHP Bobby LaFromboise and INF Carlos Triunfel, who were both designated for assignment at the end of spring, have been claimed with the Dodgers picking up Triunfel and the Padres taking LaFromboise. OF Xavier Avery was not claimed and has been assigned to Tacoma.
• RHP Stephen Pryor was assigned to Double-A Jackson and is a full-go to pitch. RHP Taijuan Walker will make his first rehab start Friday for High Desert.
• Oakland has changed its rotation for the series against the Mariners. Jesse Chavez, Dan Straily, Tommy Milone and Sonny Gray will get the starts and the Mariners will not see Scott Kazmir as originally planned. One fewer lefty is not a bad thing.
• The Mariners, MLB, and MLBPA have donated $225,000 to the Oso Slide recovery efforts. In addition to the donation, volunteers from the American Red Cross will be collecting donations from the public outside the gates of Safeco Field opening night.
The Red Cross is accepting donations at RedCross.org. You can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. Charges will appear on your monthly mobile service bill.
