Mariners Game #45: 5/17/24, SEA at BAL

The Mariners face a tough test against one of baseball’s hottest teams

After securing a series win against the Bobby Witt Jr.-fronted Royals, the Mariners face a tougher test with the Adley Rutschman-fronted Orioles. Rutschman has much more in the way of a supporting cast than Witt Jr. currently, and the high-flying Orioles offense is currently scoring the most runs per game in the AL. They’ve also gotten pitching reinforcements in the form of veteran Corbin Burnes and recently-graduated top prospect Grayson Rodriguez, who has been on the IL but might return as soon as this series. The Orioles have confirmed John Means, who no-hit the Mariners back in 2021, will start tonight’s game, but have not confirmed the rest of their starters for the weekend.

Lineups:

The Orioles will be wearing their City Connects tonight, which aren’t bad, exactly, but are definitely in the “safe but boring” tier.

Jorge Polanco remains out of the lineup as he continues to nurse that hamstring, pressing lefties Josh Rojas and Luke Raley—who have both been on heaters lately—into service. Rojas does drop down against the lefty Means, with lefty-smashing DMo at the top of the lineup. Mitch Garver also returns after dealing with some back spasms during the past series.

Tonight’s game information:

Game time: 4:05 PT

TV: ROOT Sports NW, with Mike Blowers and Aaron Goldsmith

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.

Today in Mariners history:

• 1977: Catcher Skip Jutze hit the first grand slam home run in Mariner history and the Mariners went on to beat the Baltimore Orioles, 10-2, at the Kingdome.
• 1993: Mike Blowers becomes the 13^th-player in Major League history to hit grand slam home runs in two consecutive games. He hit the first off Bobby Witt Sr. at Oakland May 16 and the second off Craig Lefferts May 17 at Texas.
• 2000: John Halama throws a complete game, the second of his career, on just 87 pitches, allowing just one runner to reach second base. The 87 pitches is the lowest amount tossed of any complete game in 2000.