Mariners split four-game series versus the Red Sox in Boston

2) Haggerty proves his worth

When you’re a young baseball player trying to show what you can do, you need to grab onto any opportunity, no matter how tenuous. Sam Haggerty did just this on Thursday night.

When Haggerty entered the game in the top of the 10th, the Mariners had managed just one hit to that point. In addition, he was on a run of 4-for-26 entering his at-bat and facing the brutal conditions of a chilly Fenway Park.

Despite these obstacles, the 26-year-old managed to hit an RBI double to give the Mariners a lead they would not relinquish. Haniger added a three-run homer to help the away side record an unlikely victory.

Haggerty discussed the circumstances of his at-bat after the game and how he mentally prepared for it. Speaking to the media, he said:

“You just have to stay in the game, stay in tune with the pitchers and your teammates and the flow of the game; you just have to be looking for that opportunity and want to get in. At that point, the rest will take care of itself.”

Haggerty might as well have been talking about the rest of the series with that last comment, given what he went on to achieve in the next three games. Suffice it say, Thursday night appeared to galvanize him and provide more confidence with the bat.

In particular, the Phoenix, Arizona native was outstanding on Saturday, when he got the start in left field. This led to five at-bats, and he once again did not waste the opportunity.

Haggerty went on to notch a career-best three hits. In addition, he tied career-highs with two RBI, two runs and safely reaching base three times.

For the series, the former New York Met had six hits, five runs, three RBI and two walks. He is also now 7-for-7 in his career on stolen base attempts.

Whether Haggerty will now get the chance to start regularly is unclear, but if nothing else, he is certainly valued. Speaking to the media following Saturday’s game, Servais said:

“He is swinging a really good bat right now, but it’s all the little things he’s doing. He knows the strike zone very well.

He’s willing to take a walk when it’s there; we know how he can run the bases and he’s got some defensive versatility as well. We will give him more opportunities, no question about that.”

NEXT: SOME CONCERN FOR THIS PLAYER