Results tagged ‘ Eric Thames ’
Mariners Minor League Spotlight – Tacoma Rainiers
Mike Zunino is off to a fast start with AAA Tacoma.
In 2012 the Mariners nine minor league affiliated put together one of the best seasons in club history, combing for a 496-406 (.550) record. The organization led all Major League farm systems in wins (496) and winning percentage (.550), while also setting a new record for most win in a single season my any organization. Various publications have rated the Mariners farm systems as one of the best in baseball.
The Mariners looks to continue their winning ways throughout the minor leagues as well as get players ready to make the jump to the Major League level. The Mariners triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers roster boasts four of the top five prospects in the Mariners farm system, as ranked by Baseball America. Catcher Mike Zunino (No. 1), pitchers Danny Hultzen (No. 3) and James Paxton (No. 4), and infielder Nick Franklin (No. 5) all sit atop BA’s list entering the 2013 season.
Catcher Mike Zunino is off to a hot start with Tacoma this season. In 6 games with the Rainiers, Zunino is batting .385 (10×26) with 7 runs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 17 RBI. He currently leads the Minor Leagues with 17 RBI, T1st with 8 extra-base hits, while ranking as one of only 6 players in the Minor Leagues to have hit at least 4 home runs this season. The 2012 first round draft pick ranks 2nd in the PCL in extra-base hits (8) and slugging percentage (1.038), while ranking 3rd with 27 total bases. Zunino became the first Rainiers player since second baseman Dustin Ackley (7/15/10 at Reno) to have his first triple-A hit go for a home run on April 4 at Fresno.
Danny Hultzen is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 2 starts with Tacoma.
LH Danny Hultzen has earned wins in each of his first two starts with the Rainiers, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA (3 ER, 11.0 IP). He has limited opponents to a .167 (7×42) average, while walking 3 and striking out 14. His 14 strikeouts currently lead all Mariners farmhands, while ranking 3rd overall in the Pacific Coast League.
OF Eric Thames is one of 6 players in the PCL to hit safely in each of the first 8 games. He is currently batting .424 (14×33) with 5 runs scored, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 RBI, 1 stolen base and 4 walks. Thames ranks 11th in the league in average, and he is tied for the team lead with 4 multi-hit games.
The Rainiers open the home portion of their schedule tonight with a four-game series against the Salt Lake City Bees at Cheney Stadium. Tonight’s game starts at 7:05 p.m. PT with LH James Paxton (0-0, 4.50) making his 2nd career triple-A start and first at Cheney Stadium. Tacoma is currently 5-3 and trails Salt Lake by one game PCL Northern Division.
Mariners Mondays – Two Felix Shutouts
Tonight on Mariners Mondays on ROOT SPORTS, Felix does what he does best – dominates unsuspecting hitters.
On June 28, the Red Sox were at Safeco Field, and for seven innings, Felix was evenly matched with Boston starter Franklin Morales. By the time Felix walked off the mound in after the top of the 9th, both teams had a handful of hits, but there was still no score.
Not wanting to spoil Felix’s gem, John Jaso and Casper Wells stepped up. Wells lined a double into the gap in left-center. Justin Smoak was walked, and Skipper Eric Wedge lifted Miguel Olivo for pinch-hitter John Jaso, who at the time was leading the team with game-winning RBIs. He didn’t waste any time, lignin a single to right, giving Wells just enough time to score on catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to give the Mariners a 1-0 win.
By August 27, Felix was on a roll. In 14 starts, he was 9-0 with a 1.40 ERA, 100 strikeouts, 17 walks and a perfect game. Facing the Twins in Minnesota, he was once again in top form, and although Felix needed just a single Mariners run to earn the victory, this time, the heroics came in the 8th on an Eric Thames homerun.
With Felix’s 1-0 win over the Twins, he notched his 23rd career complete game and 9th shutout.
Relive these two (of many) Felix gems on ROOT SPORTS tonight at 7:30pm.
Meet Eric Thames Saturday at Alderwood Team Store
Meet Mariners outfielder Eric Thames Saturday at the Alderwood Mall Team Store from 2-3:30 pm.
Welcome to Seattle Eric Thames
Eric Thames hit a game-tying 2-run home run in his Mariners debut last night.
Newly acquired outfielder Eric Thames made his Mariners debut last night vs. his former team (Toronto Blue Jays), and hit a towering 416-foot 2-run home run in the 5th inning to tie the game 3-3. The Mariners went on to beat the Blue Jays 5-3 to extend their season-high winning streak to 7 consecutive games and finished the 10-game homestand with a 8-2 record.
Thames became the 24th player in club history to homer in their Mariners debut.
| Player | Date | Opponent |
| Juan Bernhardt | April 10, 1977 | California |
| Skip Jutze | April 12, 1977 | Minnesota |
| Leon Roberts | April 9, 1978 | Minnesota |
| Willie Horton | April 4, 1979 | California |
| Jeff Burroughs | April 9, 1981 | California |
| Al Cowens | April 6, 1982 | Minnesota |
| Bobby Brown | May 8, 1982 | New York (AL) |
| Jamie Nelson* | July 21, 1983 | Boston |
| Alvin Davis* | April 11, 1984 | Boston |
| Gary Matthews Sr. | July 12, 1987 | Boston |
| Eric Anthony | April 4, 1994 | Cleveland |
| Alex Diaz | April 29, 1995 | Detroit |
| Mark Whiten | Aug. 16, 1996 | New York (AL) |
| Rico Rossy | June 21, 1998 | Oakland |
| Matt Mieske | April 7, 1999 | Chicago (AL) |
| Domingo Cedeno | April 12, 1999 | Oakland |
| Greg Dobbs* | Sept. 8, 2004 | Cleveland |
| Richie Sexson | April 4, 2005 | Minnesota |
| Roberto Petagine | April 3, 2006 | Los Angeles (AL) |
| Kenji Johjima* | April 3, 2006 | Los Angeles (AL) |
| Ben Broussard | July 29, 2006 | Cleveland |
| Franklin Gutierrez | April 6, 2009 | Minnesota |
| Eliezer Alfonzo | May 30, 2010 | Los Angeles (AL) |
| Eric Thames | Aug. 1, 2012 | Toronto |
