The Mariners snapped a four-game losing streak last night by beating the Royals 3-2 in Kansas City. The win came in unlikely fashion as this offensively-challenged Mariners team went up against the reigning AL Cy Young winner in Zack Greinke, all while starting a struggling Ian Snell on the mound to combat him.
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Sure enough, once Greinke left the game after 7.0 innings and giving up 6 hits and providing 5 Ks, the M’s were inspired enough to strike a comeback from a 2-0 deficit. Seattle chalked up 3 runs in the 8th provided by an RBI single from Franklin Gutierrez, followed by a clutch RBI double from Jose Lopez. A bases-loaded walk from a patient Milton Bradley was the seal to the envelope leading the Mariners to a 3-2 lead.
Reliever Shawn Kelley earned the win last night with 1.2 IP, allowing zero runs on zero hits, and ultimately provided the relief the squad needed from starter Ian Snell. Although Snell only allowed 2 earned runs, he managed to get himself in and out of jams, primarily in the first with the bases loaded and one out.
With the imminent return of Cliff Lee this Friday, Snell’s performance Tuesday evening all but ensured us that he will be expended from the starting rotation. Whether or not he will be placed in the bullpen is still in question, but the M’s will certainly have options moving forward with this middling starter.
Seattle faces Kansas City for the final game of this week’s series in a matinee match-up this afternoon, 11:10 am local time. LHP Ryan Rowland-Hyphen-Smith (0-1, 4.63) gets the ball today for the M’s, as the Royals will provide former Mariner, Gil Meche (0-2, 11.37).
Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
