*Photo from TSN*
Facing this team is no walk in the park right now. Cal Raleigh drove in a pair of runs, JP Crawford hit a grand slam, and the Seattle Mariners defeated the Los Angeles Angels with a 9-0 victory Saturday in Seattle.
The Mariners have won the first two games of the series against the Angels, assuring them of their 7th straight series win at home. This is the first time since 2003 the Mariners have led the AL West to open June, and they're now a season best 6 games over .500 at 33-27.
Seattle manager Scott Servais said of the team's success that "I think we're just freeing things up. And I know that's been a point of emphasis here over the last couple of days. 'Let's free these players up. Let's talk about and really focus on what they do well, and playing to their strengths.'"
After a scoreless first two innings, Julio Rodriguez got the Mariners on the board in the 3rd inning, hitting a single to left field that brought home Ryan Bliss to put the Mariners ahead 1-0. It didn't stay that close for very long. The next inning, Crawford mashed a grand slam to left field, opening a 5-0 lead for the Mariners.
The Mariners continued to tack on in the 6th inning. Luke Raley got it started, hitting a solo home run to center field to make it 6-0. Rodriguez then scored Bliss again with another single, this one to center field to make it 7-0. Raleigh then put the exclamation point on the win, hitting a two run double that made it 9-0 Mariners.
Crawford said of his grand slam that "I think if there's a chance to deliver in any moment, you capitalize on it. No matter what the score is or anything, whenever those moments come, you've got to be ready for it. The pressure is definitely on the pitcher. I think just going in there with the mentality to get a good pitch and don't miss it."
Bryce Miller was Seattle's starting pitcher, throwing 6 shutout innings and striking out 9 hitters while allowing 3 hits and a walk. Preserving the shutout for the Mariners was a bullpen trio of Austin Voth, Mike Baumann, and Kirby Snead.
Reid Detmers was tagged for 5 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks in just 3 2/3 innings in his start for the Angels. Carson Fulmer and Roansy Contreras each threw 1 2/3 innings, each allowing two runs. Position player Cole Tucker worked an inning. After his latest poor start, Detmers was optioned to Triple A Salt Lake.
Detmers said of the demotion that "It just sucks, there’s no other way to put it. I just have to be better. You can take it two ways. You can pout about it and not get better or go there and get to work and figure some stuff out and get called back up."
The series finale is primed for Sunday afternoon. Luis Castillo is the Mariners starting pitcher as they try to finish off a series sweep, while the Angels look to salvage the finale behind starting pitcher Griffin Canning.
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