The Rock will try to right this series
What has been a promising road trip for the Mariners has sputtered here at the end as they’ve lost two of the three games they’ve played against the Astros, allowing Houston to close the distance in the AL West. The Mariners really need Luis Castillo to turn in a solid start today for a chance at a series split, but more importantly, the offense—who have scuffled to score runs this series—needs to find its footing again, and fast.
Lineups:
The Mariners will deploy their righty-heavy lineup against Astros pitcher Colton Gordon, getting the start in place of the injured Ronel Blanco.
I am really ready to be done with Star Wars weekend.
Game information:
Game time: 11:10 PT
TV: ROOT Sports NW, with Aaron Goldsmith, Ryan Rowland-Smith, and Jay Buhner
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
This series will finish up the Mariners’ 10-day road trip, as they’ll get a rare Memorial Day off before starting a long homestand. Highlights of the homestand include:
- Randy Arozarena bobblehead giveaway (all three games of the series against the Nationals, May 27-29th) – no special ticket required
- Looney Tunes Night (May 28th) – ticket includes a 90s-style Mariners Looney Tunes shirt
- Craft Beer Nights (May 28th and June 3rd) – ticket includes a Mariners-emblazoned keychain bottle opener (May 28) or Mariners foam cowboy hat (June 3rd)
- Emo Night (May 29th) – ticket includes Fallout Boy-style shirt that says “Thnks fr th Mrnrs”
- Teacher Appreciation Night (May 29th) – ticket includes a navy quilted quarter zip with an embroidered apple with the Mariners logo
- Zags Day (May 31st) – ticket includes letterman-style Gonzaga jacket and $5 donation to the Gonzaga Seattle Chapter Regional Endowment
- Girl Scouts Day (June 2nd) – ticket includes Mariners-themed Girl Scouts patch and $2 donation to the Girl Scouts of Western Washington
- Bark at the Park (June 3rd)
- Pride Month (June 4th and 13th) – ticket includes a Pride-themed belt bag (4th) or Stanley-style tumbler (13th) and a $5 contribution to the GBSA scholarship fund (4th) and Seattle Pride (13th) – note that you must purchase the ticket special to get any special Mariners-themed pride items, there will be no general giveaway as there has been in years past.
Also, the Mariners announced they are adding four new beer options for the upcoming homestand from local breweries available at the Walk-Off Markets/Walk-Off Brews:
- Sky Hazy Pale Ale – Fremont Brewing
- Disco Lemonade – Aslan Brewing
- Space Needle IPA – Pike Brewing
- Silver City Pilsner – Silver City Brewing
Today in Mariners History:
- 1989 – The Mariners acquire pitchers Randy Johnson, Brian Holman and Gene Harris from the Expos for pitchers Mark Langston and a PTBNL (Mike Campbell).
- 1991 – Ken Griffey Jr. makes one of his career best catches of a drive off the bat of Ruben Sierra at the Kingdome. Ranging to right-center he back-hands the line drive at full speed before crashing feet first into the wall.
- 2005 – In a game against the Orioles, the Mariners battery consists of a pair of 42-year olds as Jamie Moyer throws to backstop Pat Borders. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marks the first time in major league history that two players 42 years or older have been the starting pitcher and catcher for a team.
- 2018 – James Paxton threw 11 strikeouts in a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field, his 4th game of the season at that point with double-digit strikeouts. That was the most in a single season by a Mariners pitcher since Félix Hernández had 6 games with 10+ strikeouts in 2014.