Here’s what I make of the Mariners’ 5-2 opening victory over the Texas Rangers:
-Erik Bedard did, as manager John McLaren say, pitch like a bulldog when he struggled to throw strikes but gave up only three hits and a run. A fast-rising pitch count limited Bedard to five innings, which I suspect won’t happen often this season. If it does, then a lot of people should be worried, particularly the relievers.
-Jose Lopez showed us something as a No. 2 hitter, with a hit-and-run single that was a key to the Mariners’ two-run rally in the sixth inning, then with his two-run double in the seventh.
Then Lopez made us wonder how sharp is supposed newfound focus is when he tried to steal third base with one out in the seventh and Raul Ibanez at-bat. He was thrown out easily, then got a visit in the dugout from manager John McLaren. Lopez also flubbed a grounder in the hole early in the game. It was ruled a hit, but it was a play Lopez needs to make.
-The Mariners drew seven walks, a great sign from a team that made patience at the plate one of its spring training goals.
-The bullpen was stout, particularly Sean Green after 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief after Bedard left the game. Eric O’Flaherty gave up a run in his one inning, but Mark Lowe got the final out in the eighth with some impressive velocity. Imagine what Lowe and Brandon Morrow will bring with their late-inning heat after Morrow gets back from his quest to regain his control at Class AA West Tennessee.
-The Mariners showed an ability to manufacture runs, from McLaren’s willingness to put the game in motion by calling for Lopez’s hit-and-run in the sixth, then Lopez’s ability to put a tough pitch into play. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Rangers reliever Kazuo Fukumori uncorked two wild pitches to set up the Mariners’ three-run seventh.
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