SOM Diary: Opening series Angels@Mariners

Game 1: 4-0 Pitchers' duel in a pitchers' park

LAA 000 010 003 4 7 2 5
SEA 000 000 000 0 2 0 3

Both starters go deep into the game and see several long flyballs picked off just before they leave the ballpark. Iwakuma takes the loss despite  quality start of 7.2 innings, allowing just 3 hits and a run (a solo homer by the catcher Hank Conger) on 4 strikeouts and three walks.

The loss looks higher than it was because the Mariners' bullpen gives up another three runs in the top of the ninth. CJ Wilson pitches eight shutout innings, giving up just one hit and two walks with ten strikeouts for the win. Conger has a field day, going 3 for 4 with a homerun and a double.

Game 2: 6-9 Just the opposite...

LAA 120 021 000 6 12 0 8
SEA 000 251 10- 9 14 0 7

In stark contrast to game 1, both starters struggle. Thanks to better offense and an LA pitching meltdown in the fifth that sees ten batters come to the plate, Felix Hernandez comes out with a win despite giving up all six of the Angels' runs.

Jered Weaver lasts just 4+ innings and leaves a tied game in the fifth, but Hansen fails badly in an attempt to provide long relief, giving up three hits, a walk and two runs in a long fifth to come away with the loss. Tom Wilhelmsen earns a close save, recording the last two outs with back to back K's after walking two.

Both teams get two homeruns. For the Angels, Ianetta and Callaspo hit a homerun each while Hank Conger continues to be on a roll, going 3 for 4 with a walk and missing just a homerun for the cycle.
For the Mariners, Justin Smoak homers in the sixth after hitting into double plays twice in the first and third. Michael Saunders hits 3 for 4 with three RBIs and is just a single shy of hitting for the cycle.

Game 3: Mariners take the series win

LAA 000 200 200 4 11 4 7
SEA 150 000 02- 8 11 0 7

Angels starter Jason Vargas struggled mightily, ans couldn't get out of the second inning after the Mariners hit around and scored six runs (five earned). The Angels' cause wasn't helped by the four errors committed by their defense, although their bullpen was able to stop the bleeding with good performances from Richards and Kohn.

The Mariners sealed their season opening series win with back to back homers from the bottom of their order in the eighth. Hank congers hot streak continues with another homer and a single for a 667/692/1500 triple slash line after three games.