Game Highlights
Bryan Woo pitched an excellent game, getting 9 strikeouts in 6 innings against an overmatched Cardinal line-up. Unfortunately for him, he made a bad pitch to Alec Burleson that resulted in a 2-run HR. This was the only dent of the night for the Cardinals, who struck out 14 times! Miles Mikolas, although less aesthetically pleasing, took a shutout into the sixth inning before walks complicated an inning. Gordon Graceffo came in under duress and melted down, allowing the Mariners to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead and put a black mark on what has been a good Cardinal bullpen since the trades.
Line-up (and roster) machinations
Alec Burleson comes back off the IL tonight and is in the line-up. LHP reliever Nick Raquet is added to the 40-man and called up to the MLB team. Granillo sent down. Hampson DFA.
Rehabs about to start (various reporters): Donovan Tuesday. Arenado and King Wednesday.
Mikolas on the mound for the Cardinals. Woo for the Mariners.
Crooks starts at C. Gorman back to the familiar 3B with Burly at first. Winn and Saggese around the keystone. Noot, Scott, and Walker in the outfield.
I am curious about bullpen availability tonight. I’d figure O’Brien is a hard no, after pitching 2 days in a row, after being laid up with a sore shoulder.
The Game Details
Woo opened up by mowing through the Cardinal line-up. 3 easy ground outs in the first. 4 K’s and two pop-outs in the 2nd and 3rd. Mikolas pretty much kept pace, retiring the first nine Mariners. Same outcome, although distinctly different pathways. Woo hums along at an easy 97. Mikolas is pitch-to-contact.
After Herrera singles (scoreboard says 112 mph!), Burleson breaks the monotony with a 2-run HR. He lit into it pretty good, which you have to do to get it out of here. They say 416 Ft. Guess the wrist feels better. The Mariners dent Mikolas for a couple hits in the 4th, but a pop out and GIDP help him get out unscathed. Similarly in the sixth, Mikolas wiggles out of a bit of trouble, with a key K to finish the inning.
Meanwhile, Woo continued mowing through the Cardinal line-up, racking up 9 K’s through six innings. He lost a tick or two but losing a tick off 97 isn’t that impactful. He finished six innings with 93 pitches. Most of the pitches he threw were 4- or 2-seam Fastballs. I don’t remember too many breaking pitches. Part of that is because his change-up isn’t much slower than his FB. Nice looking pitcher.
Mikolas took a shut-out into the sixth, but a walk to the ninth-place hitter and a follow-up single by Arozarena ended his night. Third time through the line-up, 77 pitches. Probably one hitter too far as it was. Ended up with a nice set-up for Graceffo, getting to face Raleigh with two on, nobody out, which resulted in a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. From Graceffo, the walk, a single, a double off the wall, a stolen base and a long SacFly give the Mariners a 4-2 lead. He was completely overwhelmed out there. I can hear Shannon saying “That is why they call ‘em rookies”. A side note here is that JRod tried to outrun Winn’s arm and got gunned out or they might still be batting.
In the seventh, Nick Raquet made his MLB debut at 29 years old. He is a second lefty. Clean inning for him. Threw strikes, got outs. Alcala had the eighth with 2 K’s. He has a live arm.
The Cardinals go quietly, not even mounting a threat. Burleson’s HR was the highlight for the Cardinals, who K’ed 14 times tonight in a rather meek offensive effort. Brownie’s statement that the word is out they can’t hit fastballs appears to be spot on.
Final score: Mariners win 4-2.
Post-Game Notes
- The weather in Seattle was pleasant. It can get cool and rainy this time of year, but not yet.
- On the bright side, the bullpen will set up better tomorrow.
- In continuing the similarities between organizations, the crowd tonight was disappointing for a playoff team. 22,xxx fans.
