Mariners 9, Rays 2: Not Cobb’s night

As you read this recap this morning, coffee in hand, I want you to picture three baseball players:

Taylor Motter

Jarrod Dyson

Mike Zunino

When you think on these players, and what ties them together, if the first thought that crossed your mind was “world-smashing Barry Bonds-esque RBI machines”, then you win a prize.

These three, the 7-8-9 batters for the Seattle Mariners, are responsible for 14 of Seattle’s 21 RBI’s so far in this weekend series against our Rays.

Last night, it was Mike Zunino who led the pack, utterly dominating Alex Cobb over his 5 putrid innings. Zunino’s output included a 2-RBI double in the 2nd, an RBI single in the 4th and a gut-punching grand slam in the 5th. Yes, that is seven on the day for the former Florida Gator occupying the 9-hole for Seattle.

Blame it on the weather if you’d like, but Alex Cobb struggled to locate throughout his 5-inning appearance, giving up 14 hits, and 9 runs, all earned. Whitley and Hunter would combine for a clean sheet in the 7th, 8th and 9th, but the damage was done.

The Rays offense acted as a book-end on the evening, as Corey Dickerson belted a 1st-inning homer to right on Gaviglio’s third pitch of the day, and LoMo smashed one to center field in the top of the 9th.

Think of it like a sandwich full of terrible, but with really great bread.

In other not-so-hot news, Derek Norris left the game in the 8th due to what appeared to be a lower back injury.

The Rays will almost certainly right the ship on Sunday, as ErACEmo takes the mound against the lefty, Ariel Miranda. Tonight’s loss put the Rays back at .500, now 5.5 games back from the AL East lead and 2.0 back from a Wild Card.