Seattle Mariners 3 up, 3 down for the week ending 5/21
Ed Stein
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A look at the Seattle Mariners best and worst performers for the week ending May 21.
We continue our weekly feature on Pacific Northwest Sports, Seattle Mariners 3 up, 3 down. It tracks those M’s who had a good week and those who had bad ones (Monday-Sunday).
The Seattle Mariners wilted on the East Coast. Both Boston and Atlanta took two of three, making the M’s record 2-4 last week.
That brings their season record to an even 22-24, 7.0 games behind AL West-leading Texas and 5.0 games behind surging Houston (9-1 in their last 10 games, including 7 wins in a row) for the final American League Wild Card spot.
3 up
Teoscar Hernandez
After a slow start to the 2023 season, Teoscar Hernandez is coming around. He had three multi-hit games and drove in four runs between May 15-21.
For the week, Hernandez was 8-for-22 with a .364/.417/.455/.872 slash line.
George Kirby
George Kirby made a pair of solid starts but only picked up one win. Against Boston on May 15, he went 6 innings, giving up a single run for a “W.”
Kirby wasn’t quite as sharp in Atlanta on May 21. He allowed 3 earned runs through 7 innings. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t pick him up, only managing 2 runs on 3 hits.
Weekly Stats: 2 Starts, 1-1, 13.2 IP, 14 H, 12 K, 2 BB,4 R, 2.63 ERA.
Cal Raleigh
The Big Dumper put together a nice week. Cal Raleigh started 4 games, picking up at least 1 hit in each. During the Seattle Mariners 10-1 win on May 15, he was 3-for-5 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI.
His teammates didn’t do a great job setting him up for success the rest of the week because those were the only runs Raleigh drove in. He finished 5-for-11, including 3 extra base hits and 3 walks. Resulting in a slash line of .455/.571/.1.091/1.662.
Note: Eugenio Suarez was close with 2 home runs, 6 RBI, and .916 OPS, but 11 strikeouts in 22 at bats knocked him out.
3 down
Ty France
Ty France‘s yo-yo season continued.
On the bright side, Ty France extended his hitting streak to 14 games, getting a hit in his second-to-last at bat against Boston on May 17. After that, he lined out to short, then went hitless three straight games in Atlanta.
The Mariners first baseman was 4-for-28 (.143), scored 1 run, drove in another, struck out 6 times, and drew 0 walks last week.
Marco Gonzales
A week ago, it looked like Marco Gonzales had finally righted his leaky 2023 ship. Boston reminded the lefty that he is far from the pitcher he was two years ago.
In his lone start, Gonzales lasted 1.2 innings, yielding 8 hits, 2 walks, and 8 earned runs during a 12-3 loss. It might be time for the M’s to send him to the bullpen or at least skip a start.
Julio Rodriguez
It was a close decision for our final 3 down spot. Justin Topa was in the running (and a case could be made for a few others), but Julio Rodriguez got the nod.
A 3-for-23 week with 8 strikeouts dropped his 2023 batting average to .204. The Seattle Mariners need their young phenom to turn it around and quickly. When he slumps, the team slumps.
Which Seattle Mariners players are on your 3 up, 3 down for last week?