It seemed as if the Mariners bats would continue to surge after their impressive seven run performance from the game before. Franklin Gutierrez started the game, going YA-YA to deep left field. Later in the first Michael Morse hit his third homerun in two games, taking Tommy Milone deep to centerfield. Giving the Mariners an early 2-0 lead.
That was the good news.
The bad news was that Joe Saunders, who is expected to match Jason Vargas’ production from a year ago, failed miserably in his first stint as a Seattle Mariner. Saunders was last seen silencing the two-time defending American League Champion Texas Rangers in a win-or-go home wild card game last October. Saunders pitched five and two-thirds innings, only surrendering one run, propelling the Orioles into the divisional series.
An effort from Saunders the Mariners had hoped would continue.
However in the early days of spring, Saunders was far from what the Mariners expected. Despite being given an early 2-0 cushion, Saunders walked four, gave up seven hits and four runs in just four innings of work.
And despite the first inning homeruns, the Mariners bats were silenced for the remaining eight innings. Jesus Montero was the only Mariner with multiple hits and after the first inning, no Seattle baserunner reached second base.
Recovering nicely, was Tommy Milone who reminded Mariner fans of a young Jamie Moyer as Milone was consistently able to baffle batters with curveballs and changeups. Milone only gave up two earned runs in seven innings of work, earning him his first W of 2013.
Milone has a 3-1 career record against Seattle.
The M’s will hand the ball to 22 year old rookie, 6-foot-5 Brandon Maurer. A day game in which Morse will look to extend his homerun streak to three consecutive games. Seattle still has a chance to win the 4 game set with Oakland before heading to Chicago.
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