Surprising Mariners contributor makes 2 web gems in 1 game

Leo Rivas has been a pleasant surprise at the plate for the Seattle Mariners so far this season. But on Sunday, he showed his value in the field.

Rivas made a pair of dazzling plays at second base, helping the M’s in a 6-1 win that completed a three-game sweep of the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

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With one out in the third inning and the Mariners trailing 1-0, Rivas stole a hit away from three-time batting champion Luis Arraez. The Padres first baseman ripped a hard shot to the hole between second and first, and Rivas laid out to get a glove on it.

He needed to do more than that, though.

The ball didn’t stay in Rivas’ glove, so he had to get up, grab the ball and make the throw to Mariners first baseman Rowdy Tellez on the run to get Arraez out.

A few innings later – after the Mariners had taken a 4-1 lead – Rivas got the better of another key Padres hitter.

Jackson Merrill sent a slow roller up the middle with two outs in the sixth inning. Rivas had to range way to his right, and when he reached down to field the ball, his momentum was going the wrong direction with the speedy Merrill looking to reach on an infield single. But Rivas pulled a trick out of his bag, whipping an off-balance throw that was right on the money to Tellez just in time to get Merrill.

By the way, Rivas had another nifty throw early in the game with to end a Padres threat in the second inning. While it didn’t have the same degree of difficulty as the others, it may have been the most important of all three of the plays because it prevented the Padres from building on an early lead.

While Rivas went 0 for 3 (with a walk and a run scored) in Sunday’s win, he’s still had a nice showing offensively this year. In 24 games, he’s hitting .313 with a .431 on-base mark, four stolen bases, and 10 walks to 12 strikeouts.

The Mariners’ 10-game road trip hits its middle series at 4:40 p.m. Monday in Chicago against the White Sox. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the pregame show.

More on the Seattle Mariners

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• Mariners try Cal Raleigh in a new spot in the lineup
• How Mariners RHP George Kirby fared in third rehab start
• Why Seattle Mariners are a ‘more compelling’ team this season

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