In a challenging game for pitcher Frankie Montas, the Seattle Mariners capitalized on his struggles, leading to a significant 5-1 advantage early in the game. Montas, who pitched 66 pitches over two innings, faced difficulty from the start, allowing two consecutive walks and a 3-run home run by Polanco in the first inning. The Mariners continued their offensive with Mitch Haniger hitting a 2-run homer at 104.4 MPH in the third inning, pushing the score to 5-1. Montas's performance was marked by a lack of swing-and-misses, with only three from the Mariners, and a taxing 44-pitch inning, indicating his struggle to control the game.
MITCH-A-PALOOZA https://t.co/kgaIy5k56W
George Kirby, Filthy 86mph Splitter. 😷 https://t.co/eiUuanYUxw
Montas throws 66 pitches in 2 innings plus 2 batter and gets just 3 swing and misses from the Mariners.
104.4 MPH off the bat of Haniger to chase a cutter over the plate, over the LF wall and Frankie Montas. 5-1 lead and we're not even through the 3rd. #Mariners
Haniger gets a 1-0 cutter in the middle of the plate and puts it in The Pen. 2-run shot with Polanco on with a walk. That will end things for Montas. 5-1 Mariners.
8 Mariners to the plate: Clase hit one on the nose to RF Jake Fraley to end the 3-run inning. Not-so-casual 44 pitch inning for Frankie Montas.
Scott Servais remarked before the game that his team is grinding and needs to "lighten up." Two straight 3-2 walks to open the 1st, and Polanco just smashed a 3-run bomb. Montas is scuffling, and the Mariners are all over him. That'll help.