Mariners pitching falters again

SEATTLE — Little translation was needed when Seattle Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma was asked about Oakland strongman Yoenis Cespedes.

Is a guy with power like Cespedes someone to be careful with? Iwakuma immediately answered, “Hai.”

That’s yes in Japanese.

Iwakuma was not careful enough in the Mariners’ 6-3 loss Friday night to the A’s. Cespedes’ two-run homer in the first inning started a four-homer night for the A’s and jettisoned the Mariners to 32-43, a season-high 11 games under .500.

Iwakuma (7-3) typically relies on the rapid drop of a split-finger fastball as his wipeout pitch. Often Friday, that pitch stayed level. All three home runs he allowed were on split-finger pitches.

Meanwhile, the Mariners did themselves few favors against Bartolo Colon (10-2), who also beat them last Sunday.

In the sixth inning, Kyle Seager led-off with a single. He moved to second on a passed ball before deciding to try for third. He was easily thrown out. Instead of having the tying run on second base with no outs, the Mariners had no one on and one out following the improper decision.

“Can’t happen,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.

Kendrys Morales followed with an infield single. Raul Ibanez walked on four pitches. However, Justin Smoak and Mike Zunino couldn’t move either along.

That’s not surprising. Colon has been stingy. Nick Franklin’s three-run home run in the third inning was the first homer the veteran had allowed in 48 innings. It was the first time Colon had allowed three earned runs in a game since May 14.

It was also the first homer that Franklin, a rookie, has hit at Safeco Field and his fourth home run this year.

Franklin’s home run was a rubber mallet to Cespedes’ stone hammer. Cespedes’ rocket-fueled two-run homer in the first inning hit the facade of the second deck. It was estimated at 431 feet.

Oakland shortstop Jed Lowrie knocked out a solo homer in the fourth. Coco Crisp hit one in the sixth. It was the first time this season Iwakuma had allowed three home runs in a game. It was also the first time Iwakuma had allowed multiple homers in his 18 career starts at Safeco. He threw seven innings, struck out six and all four earned runs came from homers.

“He’s been up a little bit more,” Wedge said of Iwakuma. “I’ve been talking about the quality of his misses a lot this year, and he’s just been a tad off on that.”

Cespedes wasn’t done when Iwakuma was. He turned what was a tight game most of the night into a convenient three-run lead when he hammered a two-run homer to left field off Tom Wilhelmsen in the top of the ninth.

Wilhelmsen is trying to reassemble his season. After a dominating first two months, June has been a disaster for the former closer. He allowed a leadoff single before Cespedes powered an 0-1 pitch for his 15th homer of the year.

Wilhelmsen has allowed at least a run in six of his nine June appearances. After giving up two earned runs in the first two months of the season, Wilhelmsen has been knocked around for 13 in June.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.