Out of Right Field: Recap, takeaways from the Seattle Mariners’ 13-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels
Flipping the calendar to June didn’t change Marco Gonzales’ fortunes.
The left-hander out of Gonzaga, who set a Mariners franchise record with five victories by the end of April, lost his sixth consective decision Sunday afternoon, defeated 13-3 by the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park.
Gonzales (5-6) allowed 10 runs, all earned, on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, with three walks and two strikeouts.
Albert Pujols had a double, home run and five RBIs to lead the Angels. Pujols’ three-run homer capped a seven-run second inning and his ground-rule double with the bases loaded brought in the final two runs in a five-run fifth.
Luis Rengifo added his first major league homer for the Angels, who took three of four games in the series and have won seven of their past nine games overall.
Kyle Seager went 2 for 3 with a double and his first home run of the season for the Mariners, who have lost 11 of their past 13 games.
Angels left-hander Jose Suarez (1-0), making his major league debut, allowed three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out four.
Of note
The M’s traded OF/1B Jay Bruce along with cash to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league third baseman Jake Scheiner. The Associated Press reported Seattle will pay about $18.5 million of the nearly $22 million remaining on Bruce’s contract, which runs through 2020. Scheiner, 23, a fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft, was batting .256 with two HRs and 20 RBIs in 44 games at high-Class A Clearwater. He’ll report to Modesto of the California League. … To replace Bruce on the roster, the M’s recalled OF Braden Bishop from Triple-A Tacoma. … Former M’s pitcher Bill Swift will represent the club at the MLB draft on Monday (4 p.m., MLB Network). The M’s have the 20th overall pick in the first round.
By the numbers
5: Number of losses by 10 or more runs for the M’s this season.
Our take from Right Field
When Houston last traveled to Seattle, as they will Monday, the M’s were 13-2 and led the American Leagues West by four games over the two-time defending division champion Astros. When they arrive this time, the Astros are in first place and the M’s are in the cellar, at least 15 1/2 games back (pending the result of Houston’s game Sunday at Oakland, which went to extra innings).
Up next
The M’s open four-game series against the Houston Astros at 7:10 p.m. Monday at T-Mobile Park. LHP Wade LeBlanc (2-2, 6.99 ERA) is scheduled to face Astros RHP Corbin Martin (1-1, 5.51).