
Haniger Hammers Homers, M’s Sweep O’s – Move Into 1st Place
On Jackie Robinson Day, which celebrated the 74th anniversary of the breaking of the color barrier in Major League Baseball, the Seattle Mariners, fittingly, defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-2 in the first game of a twin bill en route to a sweep and a 3-1 series win that vaulted the M's (8-5) into first place in the American League West.
In the first game, Seattle fell behind 2-0. In the top of the 5th inning, right fielder Mitch Haniger launched a massive homer into the Mariners bullpen to tie the game. Seattle then tacked on another two-spot the following inning and held on to win despite only accruing 5 hits in the contest. Marco Gonzales (1-1) had his best outing to date tossing 5 innings while surrendering 3 hits and 2 runs. He issued 2 walks and struck out 5 batters. Kendall Graveman closed out the game and tallied his second save of the 2021 season.
In the second game, Haniger again blasted a pitch, his 4th of the year, into the bullpen area in the 5th inning to give the M's a lead that they would not relinquish on way to a 2-1 victory. Left Fielder Dylan Moore got the scoring started for Seattle with a solo shot in the third inning. Starting pitcher Justin Dunn bounced back from a poor showing in his first start of the campaign to pick up his first win (1-0). Dunn also hurled 5 innings giving up just 2 hits while allowing just a single run. He also issued 2 free passes and K'd a half dozen Orioles batters,
With the pair of wins, Seattle has won 5 out of their last 6 games.
Seattle looks to continue their current hot streak when they open a 5-game home stand starting tomorrow night with the first of a three-game set with AL West division rivals Houston Astros followed by a brief two-game series with defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m.
Mariners Sweep Oriioles in Doubleheader on Jackie Robinson Day
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