Lineups: Nelson Cruz returns for Mariners in opener vs Blue Jays
Jun 9, 2017, 4:14 PM
Nelson Cruz, tied for the American League RBI lead, will DH and hit fourth Friday. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners will have their biggest slugger back in his usual spot as they combat an especially powerful Toronto Blue Jays team on Friday.
Nelson Cruz will be the designated hitter and hit cleanup for the M’s after missing the past two games with a sore calf as they begin a three-game set against the Jays at 7:10 on 710 ESPN Seattle.
Mariners manager Scott Servais said that Cruz could have played in Thursday’s series finale but that the team decided to exercise caution with his calf, which has a slight tear.
“He actually felt quite a bit better yesterday, just wanted to give him a complete day,” Servais said. “He needs to be smart on the bases and control what he’s doing there, so it will be station to station – which it is often times.”
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Tied for the American League lead in RBIs at 46, Cruz is also 11th in home runs (14) and seventh in OPS (.946) in the AL. One of the few hitters with stats rivaling him this season is Toronto first baseman – and former Mariner – Justin Smoak, who has 17 homers, 42 RBIs and a .950 OPS in 2017. Smoak is just one of a number of dangerous hitters in Toronto’s lineup, including Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Troy Tulowitzki, and another former Mariners first baseman, Kendrys Morales.
Coverage begins on 710 ESPN Seattle at 6 with the pregame show. Here are the lineups for Game 1:
Mariners (30-31)
Ben Gamel, RF
Guillermo Heredia, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Danny Valencia, 1B
Mike Zunino, C
Jarrod Dyson, CF
Taylor Motter, SS
Sam Gaviglio, RHP
Blue Jays (29-31)
Kevin Pillar, CF
Josh Donaldson, 2B
Jose Bautista, RF
Kendrys Morales, DH
Justin Smoak, 1B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Russell Martin, C
Ezequiel Carrera, LF
Ryan Goins, 2B
Joe Biagini, RHP
