Raleigh went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Astros.
Raleigh sent Houston starter Framber Valdez to the showers with a two-run blast in the sixth inning. The homer was a much-needed positive outcome for the backstop, as he entered the contest having gone 1-for-26 with 13 strikeouts over his previous eight games. Raleigh's .210/.292/.420 season slash line isn't great, but he is tied for second among MLB catchers with seven homers while adding 15 RBI and 13 runs scored.
Gilbert (3-0) earned the win over Houston on Saturday, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out six batters over eight scoreless innings.
Gilbert tied a season-high mark with four walks, but that didn't hurt him since he gave up just a pair of hits (both singles). The right-hander notched his fifth straight quality start and lowered his season ERA to 1.69, fifth lowest among qualified MLB pitchers. Gilbert also ranks fifth among qualified starters with a 0.79 WHIP and has registered a 50:13 K:BB through 48 innings on the campaign.
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Mariners' George Kirby: Undergoes MRI on Saturday
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Kirby underwent an MRI on his right knee Saturday after being removed early from his start against the Astros on Friday, but the results are still pending, MLB.com reports.
Kirby's night ended Friday after a relatively modest 88 pitches due to the lingering right knee issue, which he conceded after the game he'd been dealing with "for the last couple of weeks." The general feeling after the game was he would be able to make his next start without issue, but manager Scott Servais said Kirby was sent for an MRI "just to make sure we're treating it the right way." Servais confirmed Kirby's arm felt good and added that he still expected the talented right-hander to make his next scheduled start, which is slated for Wednesday at Target Field against the Twins.
Raley isn't in the Mariners' lineup Saturday against Houston.
Framber Valdez will toe the slab for the Astros on Saturday, meaning the lefty-hitting Raley will step out of the lineup. Sam Haggerty will enter as Seattle's left fielder and bat ninth.
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Mariners' Josh Rojas: Idle versus LHP
Rotowire
Rojas isn't in the Mariners' lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros.
Left-hander Framber Valdez will take the mound Saturday for Houston, sending the left-handed bat of Rojas to the bench for the beginning of the game. Luis Urias will cover the hot corner instead and bat eighth.
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Mariners' Dylan Moore: Lifts second homer Friday
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Moore went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in a loss to the Astros on Friday.
The fifth-inning blast with Luke Raley aboard extended Moore's hitting streak to three games while also serving as Moore's first homer since Opening Day. The utility man also coaxed his average back over the Mendoza Line for the first time since April 25, but his .682 OPS still has plenty of room for improvement.
Manager Scott Servais said Friday that Kirby has been dealing with a right knee issue, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Servais added that Kirby's knee isn't considered a major problem, but it was the reason why he was pulled from his start Friday after throwing just 88 pitches through six innings. The Mariners will keep an eye on the right-hander's condition, but at the moment it appears Kirby should still be able to make his next start -- tentatively scheduled for Thursday against Minnesota.
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Mariners' George Kirby: Settles for no-decision
Rotowire
Kirby allowed a run on four hits over six innings during a no-decision Friday. He struck out three during a loss to Houston.
Kirby was in line for the win before Seattle's bullpen coughed up the lead. The lone run against him came on a Jeremy Pena RBI groundout in the sixth inning. Kirby was efficient Friday, throwing 60 of 88 pitches for strikes. He's allowed just one run while producing a stellar 22:2 K:BB over his last 18 frames. Of his seven starts this year, Kirby allowed two or fewer runs in five of them. However, he coughed up 13 combined runs in the other two. Kirby is currently projected to start in Minnesota next week.
Mariners' Jorge Polanco: Plates pair in Wednesday's loss
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Polanco went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI singles in a loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.
Polanco's contributions ended up leading to the only runs of the afternoon for the Mariners, who were otherwise stymied by Chris Sale and a quartet of relievers. Despite the lack of extra-base hits, Polanco's performance was impactful from an individual perspective, as it extended his on-base streak to six games and qualified as the veteran's second straight two-RBI tally. Polanco's .181/.317/.295 slash line naturally has no shortage of room for improvement, but perhaps his current surge is the start of a long-awaited breakout in his first Seattle campaign.
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Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Three hits in Wednesday's loss
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Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.
After going 0-for-8 in the first two games of the series, Rodriguez's bat woke up against Chris Sale. The 23-year-old outfielder has only had one sustained hot streak so far in 2024, but he's capable of sparking another one at any time. Through 129 plate appearances, Rodriguez is slashing .270/.310/.328 with one homer, seven steals, 11 RBI and 12 runs.
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Mariners' Emerson Hancock: Shaky in Wednesday's loss
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Hancock (3-3) took the loss Wednesday, coughing up five runs (one earned) on five hits and four walks over 3.2 innings as the Mariners fell 5-2 to Atlanta. He struck out four.
The right-hander's own throwing error in the third inning led to the game's first run, while a Mitch Haniger misplay in the fourth set the stage for a four-run outburst by Atlanta. Hancock tossed 47 of 77 pitches for strikes before exiting as he failed to complete four innings for the second time in six starts. The 24-year-old has had his moments in the Seattle rotation, but he could be headed to the bullpen or the minors soon with Bryan Woo (elbow) closing in on his return. Hancock should get at least one more turn while Woo finishes getting stretched out and will take a 4.75 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 30.1 innings into his next outing, which could come early next week in Minnesota.
Santos (lat) recently upped his throwing distance to 120 feet, MLB.com reports.
A recent shift to the 60-day IL didn't impact Santos' return timeline, as he was never expected to be able to make his season debut before late May. That timeframe appears to still remain realistic, and he's slated to continue throwing at the 120-foot distance throughout this week before upping his intensity again.
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Mariners' Luke Raley: Hits bench against lefty
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Raley is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
The lefty-hitting Raley had started in left field in four of the past five games, but he'll head to the bench for the series finale with southpaw Chris Sale on the bump for Atlanta. Switch-hitter Sam Haggerty will draw the start in left field Wednesday, but Raley should occupy the strong side of a platoon at the position until Dominic Canzone (shoulder) returns from the 10-day injured list.
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Mariners' Josh Rojas: Sits against lefty
Rotowire
Rojas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
With southpaw Chris Sale on the bump for Atlanta, the lefty-hitting Rojas will retreat to the bench. Luis Urias will draw the start at third base in the series finale.
