Ty France returns to Seattle for the first time as a member of the Minnesota Twins
The Mariners returned to T-Mobile Park with a thud earlier this week, dropping a very winnable three-game series to the Nationals. They’ll now take on a much hotter Twins team that’s gotten back key lineup contributors.
Lineups:
And here’s the Twins’ lineup, from their unwieldy lineup graphic:
Byron Buxton has been newly activated off the seven-day concussion IL and makes his first start back tonight.
News:
Julio Rodríguez is in the lineup tonight after taking a pitch off the hand last night. The team will continue to monitor him but early reports are good, per Dan Wilson.
Logan Gilbert had his first rehab start in Tacoma last night; he’ll make at least one more start in the minors before being activated. Bryce Miller remains on-track to be activated for Saturday’s game.
Luke Raley was swinging in the cages today but came out during one of his BP rounds as he felt a little something when he tried to push his effort up to 80%. Rather than push it, opted to back off for the rest of that round before returning to swing for a final round at 50-60%. He’s still on track to start a rehab assignment, likely with Tacoma, soon.
Captain’s Log:
Wilson on Ty France returning to Seattle for the first time:
“Ty was a very popular player here and did a lot of great things. And that’s one of the nice things about baseball, sometimes you lose a member of the family, but you get a chance to see them elsewhere. And I know for a lot of guys, it’ll be great to see Ty, it’s a homecoming of sorts for him.”
Game Information:
Game time: 7:15 PT – note later start time because it’s a * fireworks * night
TV: ROOT Sports NW, with Aaron Goldsmith and Dave Valle, with Jen Mueller as field reporter
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Shannon Drayer
Upcoming promotions for the homestand: Girl Scouts Day (June 2nd), Bark at the Park (June 3rd), Pride Month (June 4th)
Today in Mariners History:
The Mariners have only played the Twins on May 30 two other times in their history:
- 1994: The Mariners blank the Twins, 12-0, at the Metrodome. Randy Johnson pitches a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts. Mike Blowers has four hits including two doubles; Kevin Mitchell homers twice, and Edgar Martínez homers. Ken Griffey Jr. and Jay Buhner are the only two Mariners to go hitless.
- 2003: The Mariners blank the Twins, 6-0, at the Metrodome. Joel Piñeiro pitches a complete game shutout with 12 strikeouts, a career high, with a career-best four hits. Mike Cameron has his first career pinch-hit home run in the game.