By bringing in the fences at Safeco, the Mariners have improved home run production. But the club’s lack of clutch hitting has kept the Mariners from improving.
Raul Ibanez has 18 HRs at the age of 41. The record for a player over 4o is 29 by Ted Williams in 1960.. / Drew McKenzie, Sportspress Northwest
GAME: Cubs (34-45, 4th, NL Central, – 15.5 GB) at Mariners (35-46, 4th, AL West, -12.0 GB). GAME #: 82. SERIES: 3rd of 3 games. MEETING: 3rd (series tied 1-1). WHEN: Sunday, 1:10 p.m., Safeco Field. STREAKS: Mariners L 1; Cubs W 1. TV: Root Sports. RADIO: ESPN 710, Mariners Radio Network
During the offseason, the Mariners took the drastic step of reconfiguring Safeco Field. By bringing in the fences, in some places by as much as 17 feet, they hoped to dramatically improve on a paltry total of 56 home runs in 81 home dates. The move paid off. Through 41 home games this season the Mariners have swatted 40 home runs. Last year after 41, they had 21.
What’s wrong with this picture is that more home runs have not translated into significantly more wins. By losing 5-3 Sunday in the second of a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs, the Mariners reached the halfway point of the 2013 season — 81 games — with a record of 35-46. A year ago at the 81-game mark, the Mariners stood 34-47, and that was without the supposed benefit of the Houston Astros, who joined the division this year and are 5-4 vs. the Mariners.
The major reason for the lack of team improvement: The Mariners continue to struggle — flail is a better word — with runners in scoring position. A year ago, the Mariners batted .239 with RISP. This year: .227.
Holding up their end: Nick Franklin, .412; Kendrys Morales, .368; Raul Ibanez. Pratfalls: Dustin Ackley, .220; Kyle Seager, .219; Michael Morse, .170; Justin Smoak, .100.
The Mariners begin the mathematical second half of the season Sunday when they close out a three-game series with the Cubs.
SUNDAY’S PROBABLES
MARINERS: RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 3.30 ERA, 1.23 WHIP)
The 30-year-old Bonderman, a Kennewick native in his ninth major league season and first with Seattle, will make his sixth start and first against the Cubs. Although he has just one win and three consecutive no-decisions, Bonderman has provided a tremendous boost to the back end of the Mariners rotation since his recall from AAA Tacoma. He has allowed three earned runs in his last 19.1 innings while lowering his ERA to 3.30, down from 13.50 after his Seattle debut June 2.
CUBS: RHP Edwin Jackson (3-10, 5.84 ERA, 1.55 WHIP)
The 29-year-old Jackson, a Columbus, GA., native in his 11th major league season and first with the Cubs, will make his 16th start and first against the Mariners. Jackson, who has pitched for the Dodgers, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Arizona, the White Sox, Cardinals and Nationals, has lost two straight starts and five of his past seven. He is without a win since June 14 when he beat the Mets 6-3. On the other hand, Jackson is 3-0 lifetime against Seattle and 2-0 at Safeco Field.
MARINERS STATS / NOTES
UPCOMING PROBABLES
Date | Day | Opp. | Probable Pitchers |
---|---|---|---|
6/30 | Sun | vs. Cubs | RHP Jeremy Bonderman (1-1) vs. RHP Edwin Jackson (3-10) |
7/2 | Tue | at Tex | LHP Joe Saunders (5-8) vs. RHP Justin Grimm (7-5) |
7/3 | Wed | at Tex | RHP Felix Hernndez (8-4) vs. LHP Derek Holland (6-4) |
7/4 | Thr | at Tex | RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (7-3) vs. LHP Martin Perez (2-1) |
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