SEATTLE MARINERS NOTES:
TODAY’S TILT…the Mariners continue an 11-day, 8-game road trip (0-1) with the 2nd of 3 games against the Texas Rangers (0-1)…they will also visit San Diego (2 G, June 6-7) and Los Angeles-AL (3 G, June 9-11) on the trip…Seattle is coming off a 10-game homestand (7-3) against Oakland (4-0), Pittsburgh (2-1) and New York-AL (1-2)…today’s game will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS with Dave Sims and Aaron Goldsmith on the call…the game will also be broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
ODDS AND ENDS…the Mariners fell to the Rangers by a score of 2-0 in last night’s series opener… Seattle is 21-10 when scoring at least 4 runs and 8-18 when scoring 3-or-fewer…the Mariners are 17-15 at T-Mobile Park and 12-13 on the road this season.
- Today’s Roster Moves – Earlier today the Mariners selected RHP Bryan Woo from Double-A Arkansas…LHP Marco Gonzales was placed on the 15-day Injured List (left forearm strain) and RHP Easton McGee (right forearm strain) was transferred to the 60-day IL to keep the Major League, 40- man roster at 40 players.
- Happy Birthday – Ryan Divish celebrates his birthday today…it marks the 2nd consecutive year he has celebrated at Globe Life Field, with the Mariners prevailing by a score of 4-3 in last year’s contest… since Ryan joined the Seattle Times as the Mariners beat writer heading into the 2014 season, the Mariners are 6-2 on his birthday, including a 4-1 record on the road. Happy Birthday, Ryan!
WOO MAKING DEBUT…Bryan Woo is making his Major League debut in today’s game, starting on the mound for the Mariners…in 9 starts with Double-A Arkansas this season, Woo went 3-2 with a 2.05 ERA 10 ER, 44.0 IP) with 12 walks and 59 strikeouts…Woo will be the 4th Mariners player to make his MLB debut this season, joining José Caballero (4/15 vs. COL), Bryce Miller (5/2 vs. OAK) and Juan Then (5/6 vs. HOU)…Woo is the third Mariners pitcher to make his first career start this season, joining Easton McGee and Bryce Miller…Miller and McGee posted a combined 0.66 ERA (1 ER, 13.2 IP) in their first starts, allowing only 3 hits with 1 walk and 12 strikeouts.
THE J-ROD SHOW…Julio Rodríguez has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games dating back to May 22… during that span, he is batting .404 (19×47) with 7 runs, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 10 RBI and 3 stolen bases, while reaching base at a .417 clip and slugging .681 with a 1.098 OPS…during that span, his .404 batting average ranks 4th-best in the American League (6th in MLB) among players with at least 40 plate appearances, trailing only Josh Jung-TEX (.436), Whit Merrifield-TOR (.415) and Wander Franco-TB (.412) for the American League lead…during the 11-game stretch, Julio has recorded 8 multi-hit games and 6 games with at least one extra-base hit.
BEST IN THE WORLD AT WHAT THEY DO…the Mariners pitching staff leads the Majors in several categories this season, including FanGraphs Wins Above Replacement (10.4), WHIP (1.16), strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.61), walks-per-9 innings (2.49), home runs-per-9 innings (0.83) and Fielding Independent Pitching (3.39)…Seattle pitchers have also allowed the fewest walks (142) and home runs (47)…Seattle pitchers lead the Majors in opponent on-base percentage (.290), slugging percentage (.358) and OPS (.648)…Mariners starting pitchers rank 2nd in the Majors in fWAR (7.1), trailing only Minnesota (7.2)… Mariners relief pitchers rank 2nd in the Majors in fWAR (3.3), trailing only Baltimore (3.5).
JARRED KELENIC: ALL-STAR OUTFIELDER?…Jarred Kelenic is batting .274 (54×197) with 27 runs, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs, 26 RBI, 7 stolen bases and 17 walks, getting on base at a .333 clip, slugging .508 with an .841 OPS in 54 games this season…Kelenic has mashed left-handed pitchers this season, batting .320 (16×50) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 12 RBI with a 1.006 OPS in 52 plate appearances against southpaws…overall, Kelenic leads the Mariners in extra-base hits (25), batting average, slugging percentage and OPS…Jarred’s 135 OPS+ ranks 7th among qualified AL outfielders, trailing Aaron Judge-NYY (194), Yordan Alvarez-HOU (169), Randy Arozarena-TB (161), Brent RookerOAK (144), Masataka Yoshida-BOS (140) and Mike Trout-LAA (137).
GETTING DEFENSIVE…the Mariners defense ranks 2nd-best in the American League by Outs Above Average (10) this season, trailing only Detroit (11)…Seattle’s .989 team fielding percentage is tied for 2ndbest in the American League with Houston, trailing only Tampa Bay (.990).
AS YOU KNOW…Bryan Woo is set to make his Major League debut with his start in today’s game, becoming the 2nd Mariners starter to make his Major League debut this season, joining Bryce Miller (May 2 at OAK), and…AS YOU MAY ALSO KNOW…Woo will be the 4th Mariners pitcher to make his Major League debut as a starter since the beginning of last season (also: Miller, George Kirby and Matt Brash), but…DID YOU KNOW?…Miller, Kirby and Brash combined to post a 1.56 ERA (3 ER, 17.1 IP) with 1 walk and 23 strikeout in their debuts?…prior to Miller (6.0 IP, 1 ER), Kirby (6.0 IP, 0 ER) and Brash (5.1 IP, 2 ER), no Mariners pitcher had tossed 5.0+ IP and allowed 2 runs-or-less in their MLB debut since Mike Montgomery (6.0 IP, 1 ER) on 6/2/15 vs. NYY…Montgomery was the last of 4 consecutive MLB debuts of 5.0+ IP and 2 runs-or-less by Mariners pitchers, joining Roenis Elías (5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4/3/14 at OAK), James Paxton (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 9/7/13 vs. TB) and Taijuan Walker (5.0 IP, 1 ER, 8/30/13 at HOU).
MARINERS STARTER – RHP BRYAN WOO
ABOUT BRYAN WOO… • The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher is scheduled to make his Major League debut in today’s game. • Selected by Seattle in the 6th round (174th overall)e of the 2021 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Cal Poly University…signed by Mariners scout Chris Hom.
- Spent 3 seasons at Cal Poly before being drafted, making 31 appearances (6 GS) for the Mustangs. • Did not pitch in 2021 while recovering from right elbow surgery.
LAST TIME OUT…W#3 in last start on 5/28 with Double-A Arkansas vs. Frisco…allowed 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks with 6 strikeouts over 5.0 innings…threw 95 pitches, a season high.
WOO WHO?…Woo is ranked as the Mariners #6 overall prospect according to MLB.com and Seattle’s #7 overall prospect according to Baseball America.
POW POW…was named Mariners Minor League Pitcher of the Month in April and May while pitching for Double-A Arkansas…Woo was 0-0 with a 1.59 ERA (3 ER, 17.0 IP) with 27 strikeouts and 8 walks in 4 April starts and was 3-2 with a 2.33 ERA (7 ER, 27.0 IP) with 32 strikeouts and 8 walks in 5 starts in May.
ALMOST PERFECT…took a perfect game into the 7th inning on 5/11 vs. Northwest Arkansas before it was broken up…finished his start with 7.0 innings allowing 2 hits on just 74 pitches.
DOUBLE DIGITS…struck out a season-high 10 batters on May 17 at Wichita… allowed 1 run on 7 hits (1 HR) and 1 walk.
MINOR LEAGUE RANKS…among minor league pitchers with at least 40.0 innings, Woo ranks T17th in strikeouts (59), 9th in ERA (2.05), T23rd in SO/BB (4.92), 9th in WHIP (0.89), 15th in SO/9 (12.07), CAREER DAY…struck out a career-high 11 batters on 8/19/22 against Vancouver while pitching for High-A Everett…tossed 6.0 scoreless innings allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks in the start. MINOR DETAILS…has appeared in 25 career minor league games, going 4-6 with a 3.21 ERA (36 ER, 101.0 IP), 143 strikeouts and 34 walks…his 25 minor league appearances prior to his MLB debut is tied for the 2nd-fewest among the previous 4 Mariners pitchers to start their MLB debut (Matt Brash, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Bryce Miller), with Brash, who also made 25 appearances (20 GS) before his debut.
DEBUTS…will become the 46th pitcher in franchise history to start their Major League debut, and 2nd this season (Bryce Miller, 5/2 at OAK)…he will become the 24th starting pitcher in franchise history to make their debut on the road…will also become the 25th pitcher in the Majors this season to start their MLB debut.
TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:
WINS AND LOSSES: Texas shut out the Mariners, 2-0, last night to open 1-0 on this 6-day, 6-game homestand vs. SEA (1-0 + 2 G) and STL (3 G)…team has won 3 of 4, 7 of 9, 10 of 13, 15 of 21, and 18 of last 25 games…TEX is an MLB-best 22-9 (.710) in last 31 G beg. 4/28…TEX is 28-14 in last 42 G and 32-16 in last 48 G beg. 4/9.
- At 36-20 (.643), TEX owns the 2nd-best record in MLB to only TB (40-18, see chart below)…club’s 36 wins rank T2nd in A.L. and MLB (40-TB, 36-TEX/BAL).
- The 36-20 start the Rangers’ best 56-G start to a season in WSH/TEX franchise history.
- TEX is season high-tying 16 G above .500 after last night’s win (2x, also 35-19 on 5/30), just the 11th season in Rangers history to reach that mark (1st since 2016)…club has not been 17-over since the end of its division-winning campaign in 2016, when it finished 28 G over .500 (95-67).
BEST RECORDS IN MLB, 2023
Win Pct. Team W-L
.690 Tampa Bay 40-18
.643 Texas 36-20
.632 Baltimore 36-21
WITH A WIN TODAY the Rangers would:
- Secure a victory in this 3-G set vs. SEA, which would extend Texas’ current series winning streak to season-high 5 straight…would be its longest run of consecutive series victories since 6/15-7/1/18 vs. COL/at KC/at MIN/vs. SD/vs. CWS.
- Improve overall record in 2023 to 37-20 (.649), which would be the best 57-game start in WSH/TEX franchise history.
- Move to a season-best 17 G over .500, which would easily be the earliest point in a season the Rangers have ever reached that mark (prev. 6/16 in 2016, 47-25).
SERIES STUFF: Texas has won 4 consecutive series for the 2nd time this season (also 4/10-23)…last time that TEX won 5 series in a row? 6/15-7/1/18 vs. COL/at KC/at MIN/vs. SD/ vs. CWS…club has gone 9-1-1 in last 11 series and 12-2-1 in last 15…team is 13-4-1 overall in series this year, going 5-2-1 at home and 8-2-0 on the road…TEX is 4-1-1 in last 6 series at GLF…team has won 6 straight road series for the 1st time in franchise history, and has won 8 of last 9 away series… club did not win a 13th series in 2022 until 8/12-14 at SEA.
AT HOME: Rangers are 17-8 (.680) at home, 2nd-best home record in A.L. and 3rd in MLB (TB-.813, 26-6; LAD-.714, 20- 8)…has won 4 straight, 5 of 6, 9 of 12, 14 of last 20 at GLF beg. 4/5…TEX has a 103-114 all-time record at Globe Life Field (2020-23), but are 23-15 last 38 G here (beg. 9/11/22)… TEX leads MLB in R/G (6.60) at home in 2023, and 165 R are 4th-most in MLB (190-TB, 176-BOS, 166-LAD).
VS. SEATTLE: Texas has gone 3-1 in 4 G vs. Seattle in 2023…TEX has won 6 of last 9 G dating to ‘22, but still 6-12 in last 18 G vs. SEA…after this weekend’s series, clubs will not meet again until Rangers’ final home games 9/22-24 and the last contests of the year 9/29-10/1 in Seattle…TEX lost season series in 2022 (5-14) 5th time in 6 years…TEX is just 14-35 vs. SEA beginning 8/21/20.
BOCHY: Bruce Bochy owns a lifetime managerial record of 2039-2049 (.499), and would tie Hall of Famer Walter Alston (2040-1613) for 10th place on MLB’s all-time managerial wins list with a victory over the Mariners this afternoon.
ZEROS: Last night, Jon Gray (7.0 IP), Grant Anderson (1.0 IP), and Will Smith (1.0 IP) combined to produce the Rangers’ 6th shut out victory of the season, which rank T3rd-most in A.L. (9-TOR, 8-TB, 6-CLE/SEA/TEX)…it marks the first time Texas has posted at least 6 shut outs in its first 56 G of campaign since 2014 (10), when the club finished with 17 SHO.
GRAY WOLF HOWLS: Jon Gray held the Mariners scoreless over 7.0 frames last night (2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 SO) to improve to 6-1, 2.51 ERA (18 ER/64.2 IP) in 11 starts this season…it was his 5th win in as many starts, as he became the 1st Texas pitcher to record 5 straight winning starts since Lance Lynn from 6/17-7/11/19…Gray has gone 5-0, 0.79 ERA (3 ER/34.0 IP) with 32 SO/6 BB and a .157 opp. BA (18-115) over his last 5 starts (beg. 5/8)…additional notes on Gray’s current run:
- 1st Ranger with 5 wins and a sub-0.80 ERA over a 5-start span since Kenny Rogers from 4/27-5/20/05 (5-0, 0.71 ERA).
- 1st pitcher in franchise history to go 5-0 with 3-or-fewer runs allowed and 26-or-fewer baserunners allowed over a 5-start period…he is also the 1st MLB pitcher to do it since LAA’s Shohei Ohtani from 6/16-7/13/22 (5-0, 2 R-1 ER, 26 BR).
QUALITY STUFF: Gray’s ultra-quality start last night snapped a span of 4 straight G without a quality start (6.0+ IP, 3-or-fewer ER) by Texas starting pitchers, which was the rotation’s longest quality-start drought since going season-high 5 straight without a QS from 4/12-17…Texas starters have registered quality starts in exactly half (28 of 56) of the club’s contests this season, T2nd-most QS in MLB (31-SEA, 28-MIN/TEX/TOR)…it marks the 1st time in which Rangers starting pitchers have recorded at least 28 QS over the first 56 G of a new campaign since 2017 (30).
- Texas starting pitchers own the 2nd-lowest rotation ERA in MLB in 2023 (3.13-TB), which would be the lowest single-season mark in franchise history (prev. 3.21 in 1976).
STREAKING SIMMY: Marcus Semien went 1-for-4 with a single last night to extend his career-best 21-G hit streak, the longest in MLB in 2023 (prev. 20 G by HOU’s Mauricio Dubón, 4/2-26; LAD’s Freddie Freeman, 5/10-31)…it is just the 14th hit streak of 21+ games in Rangers history, 2nd in the last 13 years beg. 2011 (23-G hit streak by Adolis García 8/3- 27/22)…Semien’s totals during streak: .308/.343/.516/.860 (28-91), 3 HR, 2 3B, 6 2B, 16 RBI, 5 BB/13 SO and 20 R.
- Semien is also currently sporting a career-best 29-G on-base streak (beg. 4/30), which is the longest active streak of its kind in MLB…it is the longest on-base streak by a Texas batter since Shin-Soo Choo reached base in 52 consecutive games from 5/13-7/20/18, and the 2nd-longest in the A.L. this season (36 G by HOU’s Yordan Alvarez, 3/30-5/16).
MAY DAY: RHP Nathan Eovaldi and 3B Josh Jung were named the American League Pitcher and Rookie of the Month for May, respectively, in an announcement made by MLB last night…it was the 1st such honor of Eovaldi’s career, while Jung has received the recognition in each of the season’s first 2 months…it was just the 2nd time in Rangers history in which a pair of teammates have won the A.L. Pitcher/Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month awards in the same month, joining OF Josh Hamilton (Player of the Month) and RHP Yu Darvish (Rookie of the Month) in April 2012.
COREY CRUSH: According to Statcast, Corey Seager has recorded an exit velocity of 100.0+ mph on 14 of his last 24 batted balls dating back to 5/27…his 95.9 mph avg. exit velo. in ’23 ranks 2nd in MLB (min. 100 PA) to Aaron Judge (97.1).
SHORTS: Jon Gray’s pickoff of José Caballero (1st base) last night was his 1st PO since 9/24/18 vs. PHI w/ COL (Roman Quinn, 1st base)…TEX is 12-5 (.706) vs. A.L. West foes this season, tied with HOU for the most wins against the division
TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – #44 Andrew Heaney, LHP (4-3, 3.76)
TODAY: The left-hander, who turns 32 on June 5th, is scheduled to make his 11th appearance/start of the season in game 2 of 3 against the Mariners here at Globe Life Field this afternoon…has posted quality starts in 4 straight and 6 of his last 7 outings, as his 6 QS this season rank T2nd among TEX pitchers (7-Eovaldi, 6-Heaney/Gray)…has gone 4-2, 2.75 (16 ER/52.1 IP) in his last 9 starts following Rangers debut on 4/4 vs. BAL (L, 2.2 IP, 7 R-ER), dropping his ERA from 23.63 to season-low 3.76…does not currently qualify, but enters today’s outing ranked among A.L. pitchers (min. 50.0 IP) in opp. BA (11th, .211) and ERA (20th)…will work on extended 6 days’ rest after tossing his 1st ultra- quality start (7.0+ IP, 2-or-fewer ER) of the season in Texas’ 5-3 victory on Sat. at BAL (see ‘Last Start’)…Heaney is in his first season with Texas after signing a twoyear free agent contract with the club on 12/9/22…is seeking to build on a 2022 campaign in which he produced career bests in ERA (3.10), WHIP (1.087), and strikeout rate (13.6 SO/9) with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite being limited by a pair of Injured List stints…the 9-year MLB veteran has appeared in 144 games/133 starts with Miami (2014), Los Angeles-AL (2015-21), New York-AL (2021), Los Angeles-NL (2022), and Texas (2023)…an Oklahoma City native, Heaney pitched collegiately at Oklahoma State University before being selected by the Miami Marlins in the first round (9th overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft…Texas has gone 6-4 in Heaney’s 10 starts this season, winning 3 straight.
AS OF LATE: After surrendering season-high 7 R-ER in his Rangers debut on 4/4 vs. BAL (L, 2.2 IP, 7 R-ER), Heaney has gone 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA (16 ER/52.1 IP), 53 SO/19 BB, and a .190 opp. BA (35-184) in his last 9 starts…that stretch has cut his season ERA from a season-high 23.63 to season low point of 3.75… he ranks among A.L. pitchers over that period (min. 50.0 IP since 4/10) in opp. BA (5th), H/9 (5th, 6.02), ERA (9th), and WHIP (12th, 1.03)…over his last 3 starts, he is unbeaten (2-0) with a 0.95 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP) and 17 SO/5 BB.
TOUGH ON LEFT: Left-handed batters have slashed .097/.243/.129/.372 (3-31) with just one extra-base hit (2B) against Heaney in 2023…his .097 opp. BA allowed vs. lefties is the 7th-lowest mark in MLB (min. 30 LHB faced) and lowest among pitchers with at least one start in ‘23…Heaney has held LHB to a .185/.286/.283/.568 (17-92) slash line and just one HR (Jake Cronenworth on 9/11/22 at SD w/ LAD) over the last 2 seasons (beg. 2022).
LAST START: Tossed his 1st ultra-quality start (7.0+ IP, 2-or-fewer ER) of the season in Texas’ 5-3 victory on Sat. at BAL (W, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR, 95 pitches/59 strikes)…logged season-high 7.0 IP, longest outing since 8/18/21 vs. BOS w/ NYY (also 7.0 IP)…was scoreless over 1st 6.0 frames before Austin Hays led off the 7th with a solo HR…exited after the 7th leading 4-1 and was awarded the win after Will Smith staved off a 2-run Orioles’ rally in the 9th.
VS. SEATTLE / A.L. WEST: Heaney has faced the Mariners more than any other opponent in his career and owns a lifetime 4-7 record and 4.38 ERA (43 ER/88.1 IP) in 16 G/GS vs. Seattle…took the loss in lone start against the M’s this season on 5/9 at SEA (L, 6.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R-3 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR) as part of a 5-0 Rangers’ defeat…allowed runs in the 3rd (2) and 7th (2) innings, incl. a 2-run HR by Tom Murphy in the 7th, while opposing starter George Kirby (7.0 SHO IP) dominated Texas in one of the club’s 4 shutout losses in 2023.
- Is 13-20, 4.29 ERA (142 ER/298.0 IP) over 54 G/53 GS in his career against A.L. West clubs, but is 1-1 with a 2.28 ERA (6 ER/23.2 IP) in 4 G/GS against divisional foes in ’23…marks the 3rd-lowest ERA against the A.L. West among pitchers with 20.0+ IP vs. the division (0.75-HOU’s F. Valdez, 1.53-TEX’s Jon Gray). AT HOME: Has seen far better results in his 4 starts on the road (1-1, 1.82 ERA) than in his 6 starts in Arlington (3-2, 5.34 ERA) this season, but has wins in 3 of his last 5 home starts…3 wins at GLF are tied for club lead (also Pérez)…opposing hitters have slashed .167/.255/.274/.529 (14-84) with just 2 HR in his away outings vs. .243/.333/.470/.803 (28-115) with 7 HR at Globe Life Field in 2023.
STREAKING STRIKEOUTS: Earned the win in his 2nd start as a Ranger on 4/10 vs. KC, recording strikeouts of 9 consecutive batters faced from the 1st through 4th innings…the 9 straight K’s marked the most successive strikeouts by a pitcher in Rangers history, snapping the single-game record of 7 set by Nolan Ryan on 7/7/91 vs. LAA and the overall high of 8 done by Joe Barlow from 7/24-8/2/21… according to Elias Sports Bureau, it matched the American League record for successive strikeouts, as Heaney became just the 3rd A.L. pitcher to do it…the others: DET’s Tyler Alexander on 8/2/20 vs. CIN-G1, and DET’s Doug Fister on 9/27/12 vs. KC…Heaney recorded 10 total SO on the night, the 18th double-digit strikeout game of his career (last 10 on 8/24/22 vs. MIL w/ LAD) and 2nd by a Texas pitcher at that point in 2023 (also 11 by Jacob deGrom on 4/5 vs. BAL)… the last left-handed Rangers pitcher with 10+ SO in a single game was Mike Minor on 8/11/19 at MIL (11 SO)…it also marked the 6th instance in club history (beg. 1972) for a pitcher to punch out 10-or-more batters in 5.0-or-fewer innings, last Dane Dunning on 5/9/21 vs. SEA (5.0 IP, 10 SO).
2023: Opponents are batting .211 (42-199) w/ 9 HR, including a .097 (3-31) mark with one XBH (2B) for LH batters…16 of 26 runs allowed in ‘23 have come in the 2nd (9) or 3rd (7) inning…opp. BA/OPS by time through lineup: 1st (.284/.819), 2nd (.160/.557), 3rd (.182/.689)…4.06 pitches per batter faced figure is 7th-highest in A.L. (min. 50.0 IP)…9 HR allowed are 2nd-most among Rangers (10-Pérez), T18th-most among A.L. pitchers…Jonah Heim has caught 7 starts (1.51 ERA), Sandy León has caught 2 starts (7.59 ERA), and Mitch Garver caught season debut on 4/4 vs. BAL (2.2 IP, 7 R-ER)…Heaney has a 1.51 ERA (7 ER/41.2 IP) and 2 HR allowed when working with Heim this season, 10.99 ERA (16 ER/13.1 IP) w/ 7 HR allowed with all other TEX catchers.
