Jason Vargas helps Seattle Mariners defeat Los Angeles Angels 3-0 - MLB Update
The American League’s Seattle Mariners humiliate the League rivals Los Angeles Angels 3-0 in a home game at the Safeco Field, Seattle on Tuesday, May 18 to take a 1-0 lead in the two-game series.
Jason Vargas tossed exceptionally to grab nine strike-outs in his sixth start to cement the club’s eighteenth win of the season. The 28-year-old hurler threw seven innings, allowed four scoreless hits and walked two to improve his record to 3-2 with 3.39
in 2011.
As Jack Cust has provided an early lead with an RBI single in the first inning, the left-hand pitcher acquired complete control over the game. Though, Vargas has allowed a hit each in from second to fifth inning, but he did not allow a single batter to reach
second base.
The Mariners’ manager Eric Wedge was pleased to see another outstanding performance from Vargas, who has to a streak of 16 scoreless games this season.
Eric said, "He was about as consistent start to finish as you could ask a starting pitcher to be. He's been very consistent with his delivery, with his release point, with his arm slot and that all leads him in the right direction."
While Felix Hernandez and Michael Pineda have gained all the attention in the Mariners line-up, Vargas took his third-straight games to make his place strong in the squad.
Vargas said, "It feels good. I'm just trying to build, just trying to stay where I'm at and not really change anything."
Reliever Jamey Wright and closer Brandon League provided Vargas a successful back up as each managed a shut-out inning to secure their tenth home win for their club.
The Mariners’ Justin Smoak and Jack Cust also scored an RBI each in the bottom of the third inning to widen the lead to 3-0.
"I've been feeling my swing come around, driving the ball a little bit more," Cust said. "It's a long season and the start wasn't what I was obviously hoping for. ... I've been feeling more comfortable lately and seeing the ball better."
After giving three early runs, the Angels’ starter Jered Weaver struck back strongly and did not give away any run in his last three innings. Overall, Weaver gave three runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out four over six innings for his fourth loss
of the season.
With a 6-4 record, Weaver is still waiting to be a first pitcher in the season to achieve seven wins.
Angel’s batters could manage just five hits over 31 combined at-bats. As the batters were completely out of form, closer Hisanori Takahashi’s two strong scoreless innings also went to waste. Takahashi tossed 20 strikes of 29 pitches, struck out one and gave
just one hit, but was helpless to take his club into a winning position.
Tags: