The Seattle Mariners (2-1) got some power production from the unlikeliest of players Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field on their way to a 5-4 win over the Cleveland Indians (1-2). Offseason acquisition Dee Gordon recorded his first home run as a Mariner in the 7th inning which gave the M’s the go-ahead run and Mitch Haniger hit his second home run in as many games to provide some power to the Mariners who were without Nelson Cruz ( right ankle) and Mike Zunino ( oblique strain).
The Mariners acquired Gordon from the Florida Marlins and another $1 million in international slot money in exchange for top pitching prospect Nick Neidert, infielder Chirs Torres, and right-hander Robert Dugger. The Mariners made the deal with the intention of improving team speed and running ability.
“We want to be more athletic, we want to be faster and more dynamic on the bases,” Manager Jerry Dipoto said at the time of the trade. “Very few players on the planet are more dynamic on the bases than Dee Gordon.”
Mitch Haniger was the other partner in crime for Gordon during Sunday’s power outage. After Robinso Cano’s singles through the hole at shortstop, Haniger jumped on Tyer Olson first pitch and crushed the ball to left field for the two home run.
“Mitch is swinging the bat outstanding,” Servais said after the game. “He’s been right on everything.” Haniger has a home run in each of the last two games and has five hits in eight at-bats this season.
Indians slugger Edward Encarnacion cut the Mariners lead to 5-4 in the eighth inning with a two-run homer off reliever Juan Nicasio. It was Encarnacion’s second home run of the game.
Seattle reliever Edwin Diaz notched his second save of the season by striking out the side in the top of the ninth. While one series win does not a season make, a series win to open up a season is something Servis and the team can build on.
” We are a little undermanned without Z and Nelson today Cleveland has outstanding pitching we knew that coming into the series, I thought our guys matched them Leak threw the ball outstanding today, fun weekend good way to start the season fans were definitely into it, definitely felt the energy here all weekend it was a good start for us.”
INJURY UPDATE:
Cruz injured his right ankle in Saturdays6-5 to the Indians when he slipped on the bottom step of the dugout and twisted his ankle. The team is now waiting for the results from Cruz’s MIR.
Zunino is eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday May14th.
