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Seattle Mariners

Out of Right Field: Gordon’s streak comes to end

The Mariners’ Dee Gordon reacts after swinging and missing against the Oakland Athletics in the fifth inning Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
The Mariners’ Dee Gordon reacts after swinging and missing against the Oakland Athletics in the fifth inning Sunday, April 15, 2018, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
By Gene Warnick The Spokesman-Review

Dee Gordon was finally held hitless this season.

But only because of a close call that had to go to a video review.

The Seattle Mariners’ leadoff hitter reached safely in each of the first 12 games this season before being shut out Sunday. He laid a bunt down the third-base line with a runner on base in the eighth inning of a 2-1 loss to Oakland, but Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman was able to throw him out.

At least, that’s what the umpire ruled.

Mariners manager Scott Servais requested a review of the play, which was inconclusive, leaving Gordon without a hit.

Gordon and the Mariners host the defending World Series champion Houston Astros in the opener of a four-game series Monday night at Safeco Field.

Gordon, acquired from Miami during the offseason, has been quite the catalyst for the Mariners thus far, along with Nos. 2-3 hitters Jean Segura and Robinson Cano. The trio has combined for a .340 batting average and Gordon leads the major leagues with seven stolen bases.

“The story should be about these guys and the way they are swinging it,” said Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales, a former Gonzaga University standout. “I can’t speak enough of Dee and the energy he brings. You can tell he just fires guys up.”

The day they acquired Gordon, a Gold Glove Award-winning second baseman, the Mariners announced they’d be moving him to center field, a position he had never previously played in the majors.

“I thought that would be a challenge for him,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Different ballparks and the uniqueness of where the wall is at, how to time certain things and getting a feel for reading balls off the bat … it does take time. You want to get as familiar as you can as fast as you can. But I’m not worried about Dee Gordon. He’s a pro.”

Gordon has had a couple of hiccups, with two errors thus far.

“I think not enough people understand that I’ve only been playing center field for like, what? A month?” Gordon told The News Tribune of Tacoma. “If I had been perfect at this to start the season then somebody should get me a Gold Glove.”

But he’s getting used to it and seems up to the challenge.

“I think it’s cooler (playing center field), honestly,” Gordon said. “But I love second base and I do miss it. But I just want to help us win games.”