Seattle Mariners defeat Oakland Athletics 2-1 – MLB Update
Josh Bard hit his first home-run on Monday, July 4 and Michael Pineda pitched strong innings in the Seattle Mariners 2-1 win over the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum.
Michael Pineda kept the crowed in thrall since the commencement of the game as he threw hitless innings, not allowing any Athletics’ hitter to score with liberty. He spirited up the Mariners’ offence well enough to see any runs.
“He looked like a very mature pitcher out there today," manager Eric Wedge said. "He's looked like that all year long. As the year has progressed, you've seen him do some things you love a pitcher to do."
Although his second inning was relatively slow, giving up two hits and a run, he remained beyond play as the game proceeded. Kurt Suzuki had a single in the second inning to give the Athletics an early 1-0 lead.
Following the lead, Brandon McCarthy threw strong innings against the Mariners’ offence, but he fell prey to Bard in the sixth inning. Bard homered to right to level the score in a game seemingly in the hands of the starters.
"He's really maturing," said Josh Bard "He's becoming that big horse, inning-eater guy that we need him to be. We talked to him hard today, making sure he came out ready to pitch in the first inning. Sometimes he gets caught pacing himself a little bit.
He did a great job doing that."
The Mariners that occupy third place in the American League West Standings with 42 wins, having 2.5 GB, are ahead of the Athletics who are down with 38 wins and 48 losses, having 7 GB.
While McCarthy maintained his grip on the game with his fast pitches, his seventh inning endeavour was not favourable to him. The 2-hit one run seventh was in effect a game decider for the Mariners.
Justin Smoak doubled to deep right allowing Brendan Ryan to get the tiebreaking score for the Mariners. The 2-1 lead was then successfully defended in the following inning by Pineda.
Aaron Laffey, the relief pitcher was not disappointing either. He threw another scoreless inning to maintain the 2-1 lead followed by David Pauley whose equally wonderful spell of pitching enabled the Mariners to win the game 2-1.
The Mariners’ victory enabled to secure a favourable 1-0 lead in the three-game series. Also important is the fact that Oakland has found it increasingly difficult to rise up to the occasion as they trail behind in the ranking. They will be looking to improve
their performance and be more competitive on the field.
It would be interesting to see how the Seattle Mariners keep the lead in the ongoing series.
Tags: