Cano hits 2-run double, Mariners blank Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — Heads up, Mariners fans … those of you who haven’t been paying attention. This is how it looks when things are going your way. It’s intoxicating stuff for however long it lasts.

The Mariners saw Erasmo Ramirez escape one jam after another throughout the early innings Monday afternoon before handing the game to their bullpen and holding on for a 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

“We’re just grinding it out,” center fielder James Jones said, “and our staff is doing well.”

Let’s quantify “well.”

That staff has four shutouts over the past eight games. The bullpen has allowed one earned run in its past 25⅔ innings. And the Mariners have won eight of their past nine in improving to 34-29.

“Our starters have given us everything we’ve asked of them and probably a little bit more,” manager Lloyd McClendon said, “but our bullpen is even better. It was a nice road trip for us.”

Monday capped a 6-1 trek that began a week earlier by winning a makeup game at New York before continuing with two victories in Atlanta. Then three victories in four games at Tropicana Field.

A lot of things are going right.

Consider Monday: Tampa Bay ace David Price (4-6) slipped only in a three-run third inning when the Mariners bunched four of their seven hits. He struck out 10 and walked one in eight innings.

“He’s a guy who you want to score early (against),” Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano said. “The deeper he goes in the game, the better he gets. You can see what happened after that.”

Cano provided the key hit in that three-run third with a two-run double on an 0-2 pitch with the bases loaded.

“The one pitch I’d like to have back,” Price said, “was the 0-2 fastball to Cano. Middle and up in the zone. That’s what good hitters do, and it hurt.”

Ramirez didn’t last long enough to get the victory because McClendon went to the bullpen with two out in the fifth inning after the Rays put runners at first and second.

“I just felt we got a lead against one of the toughest left-handers in all of baseball,” McClendon said, “and I just didn’t want to squander it. I wanted to give us every opportunity to put ourselves in a position to win the game.”

Joe Beimel (1-0) closed out that inning with a strikeout and got the first out in the next inning. That was judged sufficient — after three other relievers completed the shutout — to gain his first victory since July 24, 2011.

Dominic Leone got the final two outs in the sixth before Danny Farquhar survived trouble in seventh that sprouted when Kevin Kiermaier’s sharp grounder past first turned into a one-out double.

After Kiermaier stole third, Evan Longoria worked back from a 1-2 count for a walk. Farquhar escaped when James Loney grounded into a double play — with first baseman Willie Bloomquist making a run-saving scoop of Cano’s throw to complete the play.

Yep, when things are going right …

Farquhar rebounded by breezing through the eighth. Fernando Rodney then got three quick ground balls in the ninth for his 18th save in 20 chances.

When Price faced the Mariners on May 13 at Safeco Field, the Rays took him off the hook for a well-pitched loss by scoring twice in the ninth inning against Rodney in a 2-1 victory.

Not this time.

But not for a lack of chances. The Rays were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 runners. They didn’t score over the last 19 innings of the four-game series. The Mariners, in contrast, did just enough

John Buck’s leadoff single started the decisive third. He went to second on Bloomquist’s one-out single to center before Jones put down a perfect bunt for a single that loaded the bases.

Jones pushed the bunt toward the right side, and three Rays — Price, Loney from first and Ben Zobrist from second — went for the ball. Nobody covered first.

“I just took my chances in going toward Loney,” Jones said. “I mean, Longoria is a great defensive third baseman coming in. It’s probably an easier play for him.

“I’d rather put it in the confused area that involves three people. … The worst that could happen is a (sacrifice) where I get the guys over for Cano.”

After Cano’s two-run double, Stefen Romero delivered the third run on a grounder to second.

“This is the way we have to play,” Cano said. “We’re the type of team that has to do anything to win a game. We don’t have three or four guys who can hit 30 homers and have 100 RBIs. We’ve got to play the little game.

“Right now, we’re doing the little things.”

And right now, it’s all working.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… 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.