FRANCE COMES THROUGH FOR SEATTLE AGAIN
Ty France hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning for yet another key hit, and the Seattle Mariners broke through against the Mets bullpen after Max Scherzer tired and beat New York 2-1 Friday night in their first game at Citi Field.
The Mets wore black jerseys on a misty Friday the 13th behind Scherzer, who pitched superbly and left after escaping a seventh-inning jam.
Mariners 2, Mets 1
Seattle, which won for just the fourth time in 16 games, went ahead in the eighth after Drew Smith (0-1) walked his first two batters, pinch-hitter Abraham Toro and Adam Frazier.
With the Mets infield shifted for France to pull, he poked a slider on the outside corner down the right-field line. France (SDSU) is 15 for 30 with runners in scoring position this season, the best among qualified batters and far above his .326 average overall.
After scoring just 40 runs over the previous 15 games, Seattle announced a shakeup of eight roster moves before the game. Jarred Kelenic — acquired from the Mets in the Robinson Cano trade in 2018 — was demoted and Mike Ford and Steven Souza Jr. were inserted for their Mariners debuts.
Off the field, Mets catcher James McCann will be sidelined for approximately six weeks after he broke the hamate bone in his left wrist.
Notable
The Dodgers placed Clayton Kershaw on the injured list Friday with inflammation in a pelvic joint. The move was several hours before Kershaw (4-0, 1.80 ERA) was slated to face the Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Walker Buehler started instead.
Seattle 2B/OF Adam Frazier and Kansas City OF Andrew Benintendi won their salary arbitration cases, giving players a split of the first four decisions. Frazier was awarded $8 million rather the Mariners’ $6.7 million offer. Benintendi will received $8.5 million instead of the Royals’ $7.3 million offer
The White Sox placed ace Lucas Giolito on the COVID-19 injured list.
RHP Kumar Rocker agreed to a contract with the independent Tri-City ValleyCats after failing to sign with the Mets last summer.