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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Log: M’s hold off Mets, Haniger takes pitch in the mouth

New York Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud rushes to aid Seattle Mariners
New York Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud rushes to aid Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger after Haniger was hit by a pitch thrown by Jacob deGrom in the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 29, 2017, in Seattle. Haniger was taken out of the game. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

HANIGER LEAVES GAME IN THIRD AFTER HIT BY PITCH IN FACE

What happened: Jarrod Dyson hit a two-run single, Yovani Gallardo was solid through 5 2/3 innings and the Seattle Mariners took the second of a three-game set against the New York Mets 3-2 on Saturday at Safeco.

Gallardo (5-7) allowed one run on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts and induced two double plays.

Dyson’s big hit came in the third, in the at-bat following a scary moment, as Mitch Haniger took a 95 mph from Jacob deGrom off his face. Haniger was down for several moments but got up and left with trainers with a towel covering his mouth. After the game, it was announced Haniger had a “server laceration” on his upper lip and would be placed on the disabled list.

Dyson finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a stolen base, his team-leading 23rd. Kyle Seager went 2 for 3 with a run. Ben Gamel matched a career high when he extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a leadoff single up the middle in the third inning.

Line Outs

  • M’s got their runs in early against Jacob deGrom. In the second inning, Nelson Cruz led off with a single off deGrom’s leg, then went to third on Kyle Seager’s double. Danny Valencia struck out, then Mitch Haniger took a fastball off his face and left the game with the bases loaded.
  • Haniger was rushed off the field with a towel to his face and will be evaluated further. Replays showed it was more of a glancing blow than direct hit, but still scary.
  • Pinch-runner Guillermo Heredia replaced Haniger at first and Jarrod Dyson lined a single to center to plate both Cruz and Seager. Dyson stole second, but Mike Zunino and Jean Segura struck out to end the rally.
  • The M’s picked up another run in the third. Ben Gamel led off with a single and went to third when Robinson Cano reached and went to second on an error by second baseman Neil Walker. Cruz’ sacrifice fly plated Gamel to make it 3-0. Seager lined out and Valencia was caught looking to end the inning.
  • The Mets got one in the sixth. With two down, Yoenis Cespedes lined a single to left and went to second on a single by Walker. Manager Scott Servais called on Tony Zych to replace Gallardo, but Zych walked Curtis Granderson to load the bases, then walked Wilmer Flores to force in a run before coaxing a lazy fly ball from Jose Reyes to end the threat.
  • Things got interesting for Edwin Diaz in the ninth. Flores led off with a double and went to third on a groundout. With two down, Michael Conforto singled under a weak backhand stab by Cano to score Flores and cut the deficit to one. Diaz came back to strike out Asdrubal Cabrera to nail down the win.

The Takeaway

Nice bounce-back win despite the ninth-inning palpitations. Gallardo kept things simple, limited baserunners and mitigated damage before it arose. Two double plays didn’t hurt in that regard. The M’s have a lot of work to do to sneak into the wildcard spot but as long as they stay at or near .500 they are in the discussion.

Tweet of the Day

Players of the Game

Hero: Jarrod Dyson. 2 for 3, two RBIs. He had the big hit. Stole a base too, his team-leading 23rd.

Goat: Robinson Cano. 0 for 4, 3 for his last 22 over five-game stretch.

Next Game

New York Mets (48-54) at Seattle Mariners (52-53) on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. in the finale of a three-game series. LHP James Paxton (10-3, 2.84) faces RHP Seth Lugo (5-2, 4.10).

What others are saying (and writing)

Are the Mariners getting old? Jerry Dipoto doesn’t think so, and he throws out a whole bunch of numbers to prove his point. But the stars are, so that is going to color anyone’s perceptions. … The M’s needed to win yesterday. And they did, despite the blow to Haniger and the offense. … Gallardo got the job done. … There are a lot of Washington-born and bred guys playing well this season.