The Seattle Mariners found a lot of offense Saturday night (Sept. 30) against the los angeles angels. The team finished the game with 13 hits, four players had at least two hits, and the Mariners emerged with a 6-4 victory. A five-run eighth inning was the key to this game, as the Mariners hitters got to Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian for two home runs that put the team ahead for good.
Mariners’ outfielder Mitch Haniger led the charge on offense, going 5-for-5 at the plate to raise his batting average to .285 on the season. Any other season, he might be in the conversation for the American League Rookie of the Year, but it appears very clear that New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is going to run away with that award.
Edwin Diaz slams the door on Angels
Andrew Moore was scratched from the Saturday start due to neck spasms and Andrew Albers had to make a spot start. Albers didn’t pitch poorly, but he couldn’t make it out of the fifth inning. From there it was a bullpen game, with five relievers keeping the Seattle Mariners within reach. Edwin Diaz came on to pitch a four-out save, slamming the door without allowing a baserunner.
Diaz has stepped up as a dominating closer for the Mariners, even though he had some midseason struggles for the team. His save against the Angels from his 34th on the season, ranking him fourth in the American League for the year. Alex Colome of the Tampa Bay Rays is way out in front with 47 saves, but nobody else in the league has more than 38.
Diaz also has a 3.27 ERA and 1.15 WHIP on his stat line.
Mariners vs. Angels in the season finale
James Paxton (12-7, 3.12 ERA) will take the mound for the Seattle Mariners in the 2017 season finale. Game time is 12:07 PM PT for Oct. 1, which is the same time that every game across Major League Baseball will get started. Paxton is looking to finish the season strong after suffering through injuries again.
He has a shot to finish the season strong and enter the baseball offseason with a bit of momentum.
While a lot of the sports headlines in Seattle are being controlled by the Seahawks, this is one last chance for the Mariners to make a splash before the long MLB offseason begins. With the Seahawks not playing until later on Sunday, it gives local fans the opportunity to catch both games. A win would allow the Seattle Mariners to finish second place in the American League West, while a loss would help the team get a better pick in the 2018 Amateur Draft.
