Paxton Pitches Nearly Perfect, M’s Hang On For Series Win In SoCal

Mariners lefty James Paxton returned to the form that had his club abuzz earlier this season before a stint on the DL in a dazzling performance against the Los Angeles Angels today.
Perfect through 5 2/3 innings, the Canadian hurler finally surrendered a base hit to Halos 2B Danny Espinosa before eventually picking him off to end the sixth.

Paxton got in to hot water in the 7th before reliever Steve Cishek threw one pitch to induce a double play to quell the uprising. Paxton was pulled by Manager Scott Servais after just 87 pitches but garnered his first victory since June 6th in leading the M's to a 5-3 victory and a series win.

Second Baseman Robinson Cano jerked a line drive off of the Right Field fair pole in the 8th for a three-run HR - his 17th on the year - to extend the M's lead. Cano also raised his RBI total to 60.

Nick Vincent had a rare stumble in the 8th, allowing two earned runs before Mark Rzepczynski and Edwin Diaz extinguished another LA rally. Diaz pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the 9th inning to pick-up his 13th save of 2017.

The Mariners crept back to within one game of .500 to run their record to 41-42, still well within shot of a Wild Card berth in the tightly contested American League.

Seattle heads home to open a three-game series against Kansas City tomorrow before wrapping up the first half of the season with another four at home against the Oakland Athletics heading into the All-Star break.