Mariners Game #73 Preview: 6/15/24, TEX at SEA

George Kirby takes the bump against Nathan Eovaldi

It’s a weird midafternoon baseball day here in the PNW as the Mariners play a nationally-televised game against the division rival Texas Rangers. With the Astros currently getting blown out by the Tigers 11-0 in the seventh inning, there’s an excellent opportunity today for the Mariners to get a little more separation in the division, if they’re just able to wake the bats up.

Lineups:

Doesn’t Eovaldi kind of look like Paxton here? Is it the ears or the resting sad face?

Meanwhile, Mitch Garver will do the catching for George Kirby as the team continues to work him into the catching rotation.

News:

• Kirby Snead cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Tacoma, so Mr. 1000 remains in the organization.
• Justin Hollander will be providing an injury update to media, at 4 PM, which will be updated here. It’s likely he will have an update on top prospect Jonny Farmelo, who was spotted at T-Mobile on crutches recently.

Game information:

As mentioned up top, today’s game is televised nationally on FOX, with Aaron Goldsmith and AJ Pierzynski on the call. You can still hear the game with local announcers on 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Dave Sims and Rick Rizzs on the call (but no Shannon Drayer on the postgame, sadly—it’s an off-day for her). Game time is 4:15 PT.

The Mariners have also announced that tomorrow’s game is a sellout; you can see that one back on ROOT Sports Northwest.

Today in Mariners history:

• 1983: Proof that the Mariners have been making unpopular trades since the jump, the Mariners traded beloved franchise long-timer Julio Cruz to the Chicago White Sox for second baseman Tony Bernazard.
• 1984: Rookie pitcher Mark Langston struck out 12 Texas Rangers (including a club-record seven straight).
• 1989: The Mariners came back from an early 5-0 deficit to win, 9-5. Alvin Davis provided the big blow with his 6^th career grand slam in the 6^th inning.
• 1991: In the original Chaos Ball game, the Mariners take advantage of a club record 14 walks to stroll to a 15-2 win. They score seven runs without putting a ball in play on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch; four bases loaded walks; a run scoring wild pitch and a run scoring passed ball.
• 1993: Ken Griffey Jr. becomes the sixth-youngest player all-time to reach 100 home runs when he takes Kansas City’s Billy Brewer deep in the Kingdome. The five youngest players are: Mel Ott, Tony Conigliaro, Eddie Mathews, Johnny Bench and Henry Aaron.
• 2014: Mariners dad Kyle Seager went 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI on Father’s Day in a 5-1 win over Texas to snap a 5-game losing streak.