Tuesday, April 18: Mariners Go From Worst To First Among The Worst

In a division that so far stars the Astros and a cast of four supporting sub-.500 teams, the Mariners have moved from the worst of the four to tying the free fallin' Angels as the best. The momentum of last weekend's sweep of the Rangers carried into Monday, where the Mariners took the first of three from the Miami Marlins. In the Battle of Who Doesn't Want To Be In Last Place, the Rangers took the first game from the Athletics. Recaps below.

Mariners 6, Marlins 1

Still strange to see Ichiro Suzuki playing against the Mariners. But it was all Mariners on Monday night. Ariel Miranda pitched an absolute gem, throwing seven scoreless innings. Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz homered back-to-back in the 1st inning, and Taylor Motter launched a beauty in the 5th.

The box.

Astros 3, Angels 0


Maybe those vampires walking through the valley are actually go South down the 5, because someone seems to have drained the Angels of the will to hit. Other than Mike Trout. In fact, everything written about the struggles of the Angels should contain the phase, "other than Mike Trout." Woeful starting pitching has been the story, but Angels starter Jesse Chavez pitched seven strong innings on Monday, giving up just two runs. The Angels simply could not string together enough hits. Astros starter Charlie Morton, one of three guys on the back end of the Astros rotation that really needs to step up, stepped up. He pitched five scoreless and the bullpen added another four.

The box.

Rangers 7, Athletics 0

Two teams enter, one team leave...in last place. Jharel Cotton, who has looked spectacular at times, got knocked around in this one. For the Rangers, Nomar Mazara continued to rake while they also got production from Carlos Gomez and Mike Napoli, two guys who have started the season slowly. And A.J. Griffin, back home in California, pitched six scoreless innings.

The box.


Good reads


The Angels move Huston Street to the DL, then pick up Parker Bridwell, who was cut by the Orioles. There are justified concerns about Bridwell.

The Astros have matched the best 13-game start in franchise history.

Having already lost Sonny Gray for the start of the season, the A's now will lose Kendall Graveman for at least one start.

Mariners fans gave a lot of love to Ichiro.

Looks like the Rangers will give Matt Bush a chance at closer.

















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