The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Mariners have Tribe’s number once again
No one would blame Seattle’s hitters for being sorry to leave Progressive Field.
Ryon Healy hit two home runs and had four RBI, Robinson Cano and Mitch Haniger also homered, and the Mariners defeated the Indians, 10-4, on April 29.
Seattle hit 10 home runs in winning three of four in the series. The Mariners reached a season high in runs and hit four homers in their 12-4 win on April 28.
“I’m really excited where this club is and where we’re headed,” manager Scott Servais said. “We all thought we could do some big things offensively and we’re in a nice groove now.”
Healy had an RBI double in the second inning, hit a solo homer in the sixth and added a tworun shot in the eighth. Cano hit a two-run homer — his 100th with the Mariners — during Seattle’s five-run second.
Healy also homered Saturday after being activated before the series following nearly three weeks on the disabled list with a sprained ankle. He was 6 for 16 after having two hits in 22 at-bats before he was injured.
“I’m definitely off to a better start so far,” he said. “I’ve got to continue to build on that.”
Haniger’s solo shot in the ninth was his 10th, tied for the major league lead, and he has 27 RBIs. The 27-year-old, third-year player had 21 career homers in 478 at-bats before this season.
Seattle went 7-3 on a trip that included series wins over Texas and the Chicago White Sox, and finished the month 16-11.
“It was important for us to get off to a good start,” Servais said. “I’m really looking forward to May.”
Cano’s drive to right off Josh Tomlin (0-4), his third homer this year, finished off the big inning for the Mariners, who had four straight two-out RBI hits. Healy, Dee Gordon and Jean Segura drove in runs for a 3-0 lead.
Marco Gonzales (3-2) allowed two runs in six innings before four relievers finished up.
Dan Altavilla loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter while throwing a wild pitch in the seventh, and was replaced by James Pasos. Jose Ramirez was credited with a tworun double after his fly ball to left popped out of Ben Gamel’s glove as Gamel tried to make a diving catch on the warning
track.
The play was originally ruled a catch, but was overturned after Indians manager Terry Francona challenged the call. Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis scored. Francisco Lindor, who was on first base, hadn’t reached third when the ball was thrown in. He was placed at third after the review.
Francona said third base coach Mike Sarbaugh was waving Lindor to the plate.
“Sarby was bringing Frankie all the way,” Francona said. “It was hard to understand why we would lose a run there.”
Crew chief Mark Wegner told a pool reporter that the placement of the runners is determined by the replay official.
Pasos speared Michael Brantley’s hard grounder to the mound and threw to first for the inning-ending out.
Brandon Guyer hit a two-run homer in the second for Cleveland.
Trainer’s room
MARINERS » RHP Hisashi Iwakuma, who had shoulder surgery in September, cut short his outing in a simulated game at extended spring training on Saturday. Manager Scott Servais said the 37-yearold might have tendinitis and will be checked by team doctors. Iwakuma signed a minor league contract in the offseason.
INDIANS » RHP Carlos Carrasco is expected to make his next start after dealing with a stiff back and pitching only three innings Saturday. Francona said Carrasco tripped on the dugout steps taking the field for the third and was removed after the inning.
Up next
INDIANS » RHP Trevor Bauer (2-2, 2.41) starts the opener of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers and LHP Cole Hamels (1-4, 4.41) on April 30.