Mariners Noon Number: 7

Relievers James Pazos and Edwin Diaz combined for seven strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings in the Seattle Mariners’ 3-1 win over the Cleveland Indians on Friday at Progressive Field.

It was an impressive display from a bullpen that has shown mixed results through April.

Equally as impressive was the start from lefty Ariel Miranda, who allowed one run – a solo home run – two hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings.

But back to the pen.

Pazos (1.64 ERA) and Diaz (12 Ks in 10 innings) have been stalwarts. Nick Vincent (2.61 ERA, 10 Ks in 10 1/3 IP) has been strong and lefty Marc Rzepczynski has yet to allow a run and has given up just one hit in 6 1/3 innings so far and Tony Zych hasn’t given up a run in five appearances.

Those are the guys in the “A” bullpen.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Mariners have suffered some blowups, and guys like Evan Marshall, Evan Scribner, Casey Fien, Chris Heston and Dillon Overton haven’t really found their footing so far in 2017.

There are more replacements coming. Steve Cishek is progressing through a minor league rehab assignment and should be activated in the not to distant future. He’ll add experience to the back end and give manager Scott Servais yet another option.

The bullpen could end up a strength yet to this club, just as the hitting has come around after the moribund beginning to the campaign.