The Seattle Mariners don’t always rack up lots of hits, but the timing of those are important.
That’s what they’ve discovered in several recent games and they’ll try to build off Saturday’s 4-3 comeback victory when they finish a series against the host Baltimore Orioles on Sunday afternoon.
Shortstop Dylan Moore went 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored as the Mariners evened the series. On Friday, he homered and doubled in Seattle’s 9-2 loss.
“This is the best version of Dylan Moore that we’ve ever seen,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “He has found a routine and his timing is consistent. He has done a heck of a job defensively, but the quality of the at-bats has just been awesome.”
It will be a relatively quick turnaround for the teams, who played Saturday night after a scheduled late-afternoon tilt was pushed back three hours because of weather concerns. The Orioles will be wrapping up an eight-game homestand.
Baltimore’s pitching rotation has been in flux during the past week, leaving questions about potential starters several times. The team didn’t play Tuesday and Thursday and then endured a long delay Saturday.
Right-hander Corbin Burnes (3-2, 2.68 ERA) is scheduled to start in the finale Sunday. Burnes, who last pitched Monday, said he understands the adjustments made to the rotation.
“You want to make sure you are healthy and have your best team and guys going into the postseason,” said Burnes, who is 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in one career start against the Mariners.
The Orioles made a roster move Saturday that might have ramifications for the bullpen. Reliever Mike Baumann was designated for assignment to make room for Grayson Rodriguez, who was Saturday’s starter, to come off the injury list.
Manager Brandon Hyde said the move created some disappointment among the Orioles with the departure of a reliever who fit in well.
“Mike has been with us for a while,” Hyde said. “The first half he had for us last year, how many games he helped us win. Just the incredible person he was and unbelievable teammate.”
The Mariners will turn to right-hander George Kirby (4-3, 3.58), who is set to make his 10th start of the season. He has struck out 51 batters with just five walks in 50 1/3 innings. In four career starts, he is 1-2 with a 3.20 ERA against the Orioles.
Kirby has four starts this season when he hasn’t allowed a run, including against the Kansas City Royals on Monday when he lasted seven innings and held the Royals to three hits. Despite his strong start to the season, the Mariners are 0-4 in Kirby’s four road starts.
–Field Level Media
