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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Noon Number: 7

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel delivers in the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Houston. (Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441
Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel delivers in the second inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Monday, April 3, 2017, in Houston. (Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press)

In the Seattle Mariners’ opening day 3-0 loss to the Houston Astros, the M’s left seven runners on base and went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position.

Particular offenders were Leonys Martin, who went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts and four left on base, including a called strike three to end the game with a runner on base, and Robinson Cano, who stranded three.

Now, this wasn’t against the Astros’ No. 5 starter. Dallas Keuchel was the A.L. Cy Young award winner in 2015 and though he suffered through an injury-plagued ’16, remains a quality starting pitcher.

Keuchel finished the game pitching seven strong innings on two hits and two walks with four Ks. Houston made several moves to bolster its everyday lineup, but Keuchel is the anchor to the Astros rotation and he got them off to a pretty great start.