Mariners: 4 takeaways from impressive road series win in Minnesota

2) Marco Gonzales is a growing concern

With apologies in advance for sounding like a broken record, this doesn’t change the reality Marco Gonzales needs to be discussed again. Even more so, now that James Paxton – another potential staff ace when he’s on his game – is likely lost for the season.

When we first mentioned Gonzales ahead of the season, it was based on his last two appearances during spring training. However, at the time we appreciated that as poor as he had looked, he was just as good during his first two games in Cactus League play.

We then felt compelled to mention the 29-year-old again, following his first start of the regular season versus the San Francisco Giants. He allowed eight hits and five earned runs in six innings; not something you expect from your top of the rotation guy.

At the same time it was just one performance – everyone has the occasional bad day at the office. Unfortunately for Gonazales and the Mariners, you can now make that two bad days, following his second start of the 2021 season on Thursday in Minnesota.

In fact the Fort Collins, Colorado native was arguably even worse against the Twins, when compared to opening day. In just 4.1 innings of action, he allowed nine hits, seven earned runs and two walks, as the Mariners went on to lose 10-2.

It is an understatement to say Gonzales was frustrated with his outing against Minnesota. Speaking to the media after the game, he said:

“Today’s outing didn’t go like I planned. I thought early I made some good pitches, (but) didn’t quite execute when I needed to. (I) got myself into some with trouble with a couple of bigger hitters, so you know, (I’m) frustrated to say the least.

“Lots of things need to be worked on. Obviously I have a high standard for myself. Executing pitches and being able to control the ball game, give us a chance to win; all things I pride myself on.”

We appreciate the counter that it’s only two games in a long season. And yet we still believe there is justified reason for at least a little concern, especially when you provide some context.

For a start, consider that Gonzales is usually money in the early months of the season. Prior to the Twins game and going back to April 24, 2018, he was 7-0 in his last 10 starts during March and April, allowing a 3.00 ERA and .189 batting average.

Further, only once in the previous two seasons, has the 2013 first round draft pick looked so bad in consecutive games. It happened during 2019 in late June/early July, with both games coming in Seattle.

In the first appearance against the Texas Rangers, Gonzales allowed eight hits and six earned runs, plus two unearned runs, in four innings. He followed this up with nine hits, 10 earned runs and three walks in 4.2 innings versus the Los Angeles Angels.

It should be noted that after this, the former Gonzaga Bulldog then went on a tear with five wins in his next six starts, only once allowing more than two earned runs. (He gave up three earned runs in his one loss during the streak.)

Of course, both Gonzales and the Mariners will be hoping he can bounce back in similar fashion this time around. His next start is scheduled for the finale of the four-game road series versus the Baltimore Orioles, on April 15.

NEXT: ANOTHER PROMISING START FROM KIKUCHI