Ray day gets off to poor start, Mariners pitching struggles in 9-4 loss to Guardians
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – Game two of the season and series against Cleveland were far different than Opening Day for a multitude of reasons. The Guardians were able to get after Mariners starter Robbie Ray, ending his day after just three and a third innings, while also spoiling reliever Trevor Gott’s Seattle debut. While the mariners bats performed well enough to win a normal game, or at least one we’ve become accustomed to with their pitching, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback against the staggering lead that Cleveland amassed. Thankfully, it’s only the second game of the season, and this series is against a Guardians team with a good lineup.
Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray celebrates an out in the first inning. Things unfortunately didn’t go well the rest of the way (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Robbie Ray struggles in first outing of season
Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray’s season debut did not go the way that anybody, outside of perhaps the Guardians, wanted it to go. The second man in the Seattle rotation displayed some issues in the first inning that foreshadowed struggles that appeared as the game went on. After retiring the first two batters, Ray proceeded to walk the next two (Jose Ramirez and Josh Bell) on eight straight pitches. While he avoided any damage with a strikeout of Josh Naylor to end the inning, the walks issue remained throughout his time on the mound.
Ray went on to walk five batters in the game, only striking out three Guardians throughout his day. Robbie had a short outing, not ideal either, and couldn’t finish the fourth inning. The walk problem from last season has reared it’s ugly head, as Cleveland was able to take advantage of those base runners put on because of the walks. With a lineup such as the Guardians, their talented hitters were more than happy to drive in runs set up off avoidable mistakes by Ray. While he did start to get ahead in counts, throwing 11 of 19 first pitch strikes, Ray’s control was an issue all night long.
Seattle center fielder Julio Rodriguez had two doubles in the loss (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Seattle bats competitive, but can’t catch up to lead built by Cleveland
The Mariners recorded seven hits tonight, which is the same as their win against the Guardians from Opening night, but Seattle’s bats simply couldn’t keep up with Cleveland’s. The Mariners weren’t able to bail their pitching and defense out and knock in tons of runs, but under normal circumstances four should have been enough. Julio Rodriguez had two extra base hits tonight. Cal Raleigh had a double that scored two runs, tying the game in the third inning. Jarred Kelenic doubled in the second inning, showing a little bit of the power we saw in Spring Training. It just wasn’t enough, as the Mariners batters were tasked with a tough assignment of catching up to nearly double digits.
Mariners second baseman scores on Cal Raleigh’s double (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Bullpen can’t put the fires out
Seattle’s bullpen the last two seasons has been able to clean up the messes and put out the fires that have been laid out in front of them. That wasn’t the case tonight, as all four pitchers involved in this game for the Mariners except for Penn Murfee surrendered at least a run. Ray struggled, then Trevor Gott failed to stop the bleeding in his Seattle debut as he allowed two runs on four hits in just an inning and a third. Murfee only pitched a third of an inning, allowing just a hit, before Chris Flexen took over. Flexen finished the game out for the Mariners, throwing four innings and giving up one run on four hits.
Mariners reliever Penn Murfee in his “Dracula” pose prior to his windup (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Positive flashes in the loss
There were a few different positive takeaways from this game, on both ends of offense and defense. On the offensive side of things, Julio Rodriguez doubled twice as he displayed some of that power despite the cold Seattle air. On the defensive side of things and trust me there wasn't much good to look at on the defensive side of things as Seattle committed three errors, Teoscar Hernandez played well in right field. Hernandez’s highlight of the night in the outfield came when he gunned down Mike Zunino at home plate with a nice throw. Hernandez made a few other solid plays in right field to get outs, but the definite highlight of his night was that throw.
Seattle’s Cal Raleigh applies the tag to former Mariner Mike Zunino, off of Teoscar Hernandez’s great throw from right field (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Quick notes
Seattle Kraken forward Morgan Geekie was in attendance for this game
Earlier in the day, the Mariners acquired OF Nick Solak from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Cash Considerations.
Solak had been designated for assignment the day prior and was immediately assigned to the Tacoma Rainiers following the trade.
The roof was closed for the first time this season
Julio Rodríguez went 2 for 5 in tonight’s game.
He doubled twice, marking his 5th career multi-extra base hit game…it was his first since Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 11, 2022.His double to right field in the 1st marked his first hit of the 2023 season.
Kolten Wong picked up his first hit and RBI of the 2023 season, scoring Rodríguez from second in the 1st .
Cal Raleigh’s double in the 3rd had an exit velocity of 111.7 MPH, the hardest-hit ball of the game and of all games today. He also claimed last night’s hardest-hit ball at 109.9 MPH.
Raleigh (2) and Rodríguez each had 2-out RBI on the night.
Teoscar Hernández recorded an outfield assist for a double play…he threw out Mike Zunnino trying to score.
Cooper Hummel and Trevor Gott both made their Mariners debuts tonight.
Hummel is the first player in Mariners history with a hit-by-pitch and a stolen base in their Mariners debut.
In 1.1 innings, Gott allowed 4 hits and 3 runs (none earned).
Mariners bullpen Gott, Penn Murfee, Chris Flexen…combined for 5.2 innings.
Flexen threw 4.0 innings, allowed 4 hits and 1 run (1 earned).
Reliever Trevor Gott made his Mariners debut (Photo by Liv Lyons)
What’s next?
Following the game two loss that drops them to a one-on-one record on the season, the Mariners will play the third of this four-game series tomorrow, Saturday April 1st, with a first pitch time of 6:40PM PST. Seattle will use its earlier in the night start time for the first time this season when Logan Gilbert takes the mound for the first time this season. Gilbert, armed with a new split-finger fastball just like Ray, will take the mount opposite of Cleveland’s starter Aaron Civale. It’s Julio Rodriguez bobblehead night, as the first 20,000 fans inside of T-Mobile Park will receive a miniature Julio holding his Silver Slugger and AL Rookie of the year awards from last season.