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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Log: M’s shut out by Ricky Nolasco and Angels

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco throws to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 1, 2017. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

M’S SHUTOUT IN COMPLETE GAME BY RICKY NOLASCO

What happened: A night after pounding four home runs and 17 hits, the Seattle Mariners were shut down – and out – by Ricky Nolasco and the Los Angeles Angels 4-0 on Saturday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Nolasco allowed just three hits and no walks with seven strikeouts in the complete game shutout.

Nelson Cruz left the game after injuring his right knee trying to leg out a double in the second inning.

Mariners starter Sam Gaviglio gave up three runs on five hits and a walk with three strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings.

Line Outs

  • In the second inning, Nelson Cruz hit a liner off the wall in center and appeared to stumble at first base when he realized it wasn’t going to leave the park. He was thrown out on a close play at second by Cameron Maybin.
  • Cruz did not come out for his next at bat in the fifth, replaced by Mike Zunino. The Mariners announced Cruz left the game with “right knee discomfort” and listed him day-to-day.
  • In the bottom half, Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons homered, his ninth of the season.
  • The Angels added another run in the third. Ben Revere led off with a single, stole second, went to third on former Mariner Nick Franklin’s ground out, and scored on a single by Maybin.
  • Yunel Escobar singled to lead off the seventh. After Simmons flied out, manager Scott Servis lifted Gaviglio in favor of Marc Rzepczynski. The move backfired. Luis Valbuena greeted the lefty with a double to the left field corner. An intentional walk loaded the bases.
  • Then, with Ben Revere batting, a wild pitch allowed Escobar to scamper home for a 3-0 lead and the other runners to move up. Revere grounded to first, and Valbuena scored to make it 4-0.

The Takeaway

A day after mashing four homers and pounding out 17 hits, the M’s get stymied by Ricky Nolasco and his near-5.00 ERA. It’s one step forward, one step back. The Nelson Cruz injury bears watching. He’s been nursing a leg injury all season so this won’t help matters.

Tweet of the Day

Players of the Game

Hero: Ricky Nolasco. We don’t often give the hero to the opposing team, but Nolasco tossed a gem.

Goat: Marc Rzepczynski. Hit, walk, wild ptich in one-third of an inning.

Next Game

Seattle Mariners (40-42) at Los Angeles Angels (43-42) on Sunday at 12:37 p.m. at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. James Paxton (5-3, 3.44) faces Jesse Chavez (5-8, 5.04)

What others are saying (and writing)

So Gaviglio pitched well enough. Nolasco just pitched better in the M’s 4-0 loss to the Angels. … The Cruz injury is probably the most important aspect of the game, with its severity the No. 1 question on everyone’s mind. … The Angels are doing pretty well right now despite their injuries. … The international signing period is coming soon and the Mariners are expected to be big players. … The All-Star Game is just around the corner. By the way, the M’s could use a first baseman. Check out two of the American League’s first basemen listed here. Just saying. And remember when the Mariners seemed to have Zach Cozart locked up?