Despite getting a brilliant start from Ariel Miranda and outstanding relief work from closer-on-hiatus Edwin Diaz, Seattle mustered just one hit and four base runners and lost to the White Sox, 2-1 in 10 innings.
One hit won’t win you many games.
And it didn’t for the Mariners on Friday night at Safeco Field.
Despite getting a brilliant start from Ariel Miranda and outstanding relief work from closer-on-hiatus Edwin Diaz, Seattle mustered just one hit and four base runners and lost to the White Sox, 2-1 in 10 innings.
The Mariners lost the pitching duel to White Sox ace Jose Quintana and closer David Robertson, who combined for the one-hitter.
“There was some great pitching tonight,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said.
Reliever Tony Zych gave up the game-winning run in the 10th. The problem arose from hitting light-hitting catcher Kevan Smith, who was batting .115, with the second pitch of the inning.
“I was trying to go in and got him,” Zych said. “He didn’t really move too much. I was more mad about that than the hit at the end.”
From there, the White Sox sacrificed him into scoring position and later got a two-out RBI double from Melky Cabrera on an 0-2 slider that wasn’t quite low and in enough.
“I tried to throw a slider back foot,” Zych said. “I already watched the video and it was a pretty decent pitch, but not good enough. He stayed on it. I could have been a little better about making sure I got it in the dirt.”
Perhaps if Zych could’ve kept the White Sox scoreless, his teammates might have managed another hit and possibly another run. But there wasn’t much prior evidence to suggest that possibility.
Seattle’s offense hasn’t been quite as productive without No. 3 hitter Robinson Cano, who has missed the last eight games. Though it’s hard to believe Cano would have made much of a difference with how Quintana was dealing on the night.
The all-star lefty was dominant, pitching eight innings and giving up one run on one hit with a walk and seven strikeouts. It was a prime example of while he’ll be a coveted trade chip for the rebuilding White Sox in July. Given Quintana’s contract that features three more years of control at a total of $30.35 million, his value and durability make him a desirable acquisition.
And, while he might look good in a Mariners uniform and would be a perfect fit for a beat-up rotation, the organization doesn’t have enough in prospects to acquire him. The White Sox’s asking price is said to be high. And it will only grow with outings like this.
“He can really move the fastballs to both sides of the plate,” Servais said. “Everybody knows he’s one of the better lefties in the league.”
The Mariners grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning against Quintana. Danny Valencia led off with a triple to the gap in right-center and scored on Ben Gamel’s sacrifice fly.
Quintana followed with five scoreless innings, allowing just two more base runners. The Mariners had a chance to get to him in the eighth when second baseman Yolmer Sanchez misplayed Gamel’s pop fly in shallow right field. Unfortunately for the Mariners, Gamel got caught between first and second when the ball landed and was thrown out in a rundown. It was a mistake. If he runs it out, he’s on second with no outs to start the frame.
“Very uncharacteristic of Ben Gamel; he usually plays hard all the time,” Servais said. “He was disappointed that he popped a ball up. But you cannot take anything for granted, even in the big leagues. The pop-ups get dropped once in a while. Rookie mistake. He certainly knows it’s a mistake, and he’s heard about it.”
Miranda was stellar, but got a no-decision. He pitched seven innings, giving up one run on four hits with two walks and a career-high nine strikeouts.
Diaz made his first appearance since losing the closing job and he was outstanding, pitching two scoreless innings and allowing two infield hits. Of his 29 pitches, 20 were strikes.
“I thought he threw the ball really well tonight,” Servais said. “We’re getting him back and moving in the right direction.”