SHANNON DRAYER

Mariners Observations: Marco Gonzales sharp against father’s Rockies

Mar 13, 2021, 4:18 PM

Mariners LHP Marco Gonzales...

Mariners LHP Marco Gonzales had five strikeouts in four scoreless innings. (Getty)

(Getty)

But not for the setting and the fact that his father was sitting in the opposing dugout, Marco Gonzales’ start Saturday afternoon at Salt River Fields against the Rockies looked like it could have been just about any midseason outing for the Mariners No. 1 pitcher.

Mariners Notebook: Dunn, Margevicius make strong cases for rotation spot

As it was, Frank Gonzales, pitching coach for the Rockies’ Double-A affiliate Hartford Yard Goats, got the rare opportunity to see his son pitch from the other side and what he saw was four scoreless innings and 5 strikeouts, something that should draw favorable reviews in the family post game debrief.

“It’s always very special,” said Marco of the rare opportunity to pitch against his father’s team. “I think I have pitched against his team one other time in spring training and in high school for one year (when he) coached at another high school in my hometown. That didn’t go well for him either.”

Ultimately it was the elder Gonzales’ team that came out on top as the Rockies took the 2-1 win over the Mariners on a walkoff home run off the bat of Greg Bird. A tough ending to an otherwise well-pitched game for the Mariners that started with Marco’s performance, an outing where he was able to be effective while getting work in on a pitch he believes will be big for him in 2021.

“I’ve been feeling really confident with my curveball,” he said. “It’s a pitch that’s going to take me deep into ballgames. I’m going to be able to lean on it a lot to both lefties and righties.”

Gonzales credited catching prospect Cal Raleigh with his game calling and going to the pitch in big situations, including a strikeout of Garrett Hampson to end the third inning.

“It’s a really valuable pitch for him,” said Mariners manager Scott Servais. “It’s the best pitch he’s got to get them to put the ball on the ground. You saw some more changeups from him than you normally see, he got a chance to get all of his stuff in play today.”

While it was good to see all of his pitches play, Gonzales said that he is still building arm strength and that there was still a lot of work to be done before leaving Arizona. From where the skipper sat, it was a performance he would be happy to take into the season.

“It was one of those days where if he had pitches, just let him go,” said Servais. “He was locked in today, there’s no question about it.”

Mariners Notes

• Mariners pitchers recorded 12 strikeouts and just one walk in the loss, with Casey Sadler striking out the side in the sixth inning and Will Vest striking out two in the eighth.

• Jake Fraley appeared to be fooled on a ball off the bat of Chris Owings in the fourth inning and paid for it crashing into the left field wall. He was checked out by the trainer on the field following the play and stayed in the game, but came out after his next at-bat. According to Servais, his removal from the game was precautionary and he is expected to be in the lineup Sunday.

• While he doesn’t have much to show for it, Julio Rodríguez has been putting together some nice at bats the last few days. He did come up with an infield hit, but his 111 mph lineout to left against Kyle Freeland was some of the loudest contact in the game.

Follow Mariners insider Shannon Drayer on Twitter.

Mariners Notebook: Servais reacts to Minor League Baseball rule changes

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
High 54° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Why Mariners hitters are embracing new approach to offense

The Seattle Mariners have new players, new coaches and new messaging for their offense. Based on spring training, it's all landing.

18 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Gabe Speier...

Shannon Drayer

Inside how the Mariners’ pitching lab gets most out of relievers

With two of the Seattle Mariners' best relievers beginning the season on the injured list, the team's “pitching lab” has perhaps never been needed more.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Shannon Drayer

Breakdown: What Mariners bring north this year is very different

How is the group the Seattle Mariners are bringing north from Arizona? Insider Shannon Drayer details the roster -- and some thoughts from clubhouse leaders -- after 40 days at spring training.

3 days ago

Seattle Mariners Emerson Hancock...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer’s Mariners Notebook: Expectations for demoted players, more

Shannon Drayer details plans for the players not making the Seattle Mariners' opening day roster and much more in her latest notebook.

4 days ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh Julio Rodríguez...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: A look around the diamond as Mariners near opening day

Let's take a trip around the diamond with thoughts on each position as the Seattle Mariners are less than a week from the start of 2024.

6 days ago

Seattle Mariners Scott Servais...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: Where Mariners stand as they enter final days of spring

Shannon Drayer checks in from Arizona with the Seattle Mariners just three days away from breaking their spring training camp.

6 days ago

Mariners Observations: Marco Gonzales sharp against father’s Rockies