Michael Pineda takes Seattle Mariners to 4-2 triumph over Philadelphia Phillies – MLB Update
The National League’ Seattle Mariners defeated the current NL leader Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in the series opener at the Safeco Park, Washington on Friday, June 17.
The Mariners’ rookie starter Michael Pineda had an outstanding day with the ball against the strong batting line-up of the Phillies, as he allowed only one run over six innings spell. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed his first run in the sixth inning
when the Phillies’ second baseman Chase Utley made a hard hit to right-field to make the first run for his club.
The Dominican pitcher tossed 56 strikes off 92 pitches to take five batters over six innings. In his 14th start of the season, the hurler allowed just two hits and walked three to earn his seventh win of the season.
Pineda received a full support from the batters and relievers. Batters posted a three run lead over the opposition. Short-stop Brendan Ryan led the game with an RBI single off the Phillies’ struggling starter Roy Oswalt in the third inning. Then catcher
Miguel Olivo hammered a 374-feet long one-run homer in the fourth inning and Justin Smoak hit a sacrifice fly for an RBI single in the fifth inning.
In the seventh inning, Ryan made another RBI single to take the lead to 4-1. After the batters provided a three-run lead and Pineda held the Phillies to just one-score, the Mariners’ relievers and closer exhibited for what their manager Eric Wedge was hoping
from them.
Reliever Aaron Laffey tossed a perfect seventh inning to increase the pressure over the Phillies’ bull-pen. In the eighth inning though, he pitched a little wobbly as he allowed a line drive single to Carlos Ruiz but quickly made a double play to take out
Jimmy Rollins and Carlos Ruiz. However, he could not make a complete strike back and allowed a 376-feet long home-run to the Phillies’ centre-fielder Shane Victorino.
After this hit, Laffey took Utley on a ground out to end the eighth inning with a 4-2 score. Closer Brandon League allowed two hits in the ninth inning, however managed to escape without giving up a run and the Mariners achieved their 36th win
of the season.
Oswalt had another bad outing, as he allowed four runs on eight hits, walked two and could get just three strike-outs in just over six innings to go for his fifth loss in the 2011 season. He now has a relatively low 4-5 record with a 3.38 ERA as compared
to his fellow starters Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. Halladay has scored nine wins while Hamels now has a 2.49 ERA.
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