Seattle Mariners Out East
July 3rd, 2009 | by nightmare |6 games into the vicious road trip, those rag-tag Seattle Mariners are still standing. They have posted a 3-3 record against the Dodgers and Yankees. They now have the “joy” of facing the outstanding Boston Red Sox. Boston has posted an American League leading 48-30 record so far this season, and they will not roll over easily this weekend.
However, without their gold glove third baseman, without their number 2 staring pitcher, without their starting shortstop, and minus their regular left fielder, the Mariners are hanging tough in the American League West. They enter Friday only 3.5 games back of the Angels. A large part of their success stems from Ichiro’s outstanding play. Felix Hernandez’ June ERA under 1.00 has helped as well. And the offensive breakout of center fielder Franklin Gutierrez is making a beleiever out of me.
After this three game set at Boston, the Mariners play 3 at home against the Orioles and conclude the first of their season hosting the second place Rangers. Seattle is 0-5 against the Rangers this season so it’s going to be no picnic headed into the the all-star break. Picking up 7 out of their final 10 would be outstanding.
