The Mariners went 2-2 during their weekday games this week. Now they have just two home games remaining this summer before finishing the season with three on the road.
On Tuesday, the Mariners ended their six-game home stretch against the Clippers. In the first inning, GLSCL All-Star Joe Jimenez hit a single that scored Garrett Felix to put Grand Lake on the board. The Clippers scored once in the second. But Felix hit a single scoring Caden Kaiser, and Marcus Ernst had a single that brought in Felix. The Mariners held a 3-1 lead until the Clippers added two more in the fifth to tie it. Felix had a sacrifice fly that scored Kaiser in the sixth to retake the lead. In the eighth, Noah Thigpen scored from Brandon Green’s groundout, and Ernst had a double that would bring Felix home. The Mariners had a 6-3 lead at this point and that would be the final score. Sam Seeker earned the win – pitching three innings in relief without giving up a run or a hit. Taj Porter got the save and didn’t give up any hits in the ninth inning while striking out two. Ernst and Jimenez had three hits each and Felix scored three runs.
The Mariners were back on the road on Wednesday for the first time in eight days. They were taking on the Ice Haulers who had been shut out when they came to Montgomery Field on July 8th. This time, though, it would be the Mariners that would be shut out. The Ice Haulers got on the board early and quickly – putting up seven runs in the first. They added runs in the third, fourth, and fifth to take an 11-0 lead. Landon Smiddy was dominant on the mound for Sandusky Bay – as he has been nearly every game this summer. In seven innings, he allowed just one hit and struck out six. He is 4-1 this season with a 2.35 ERA. Blake Davis got the lone Mariners hit, and the game was decided after seven by mercy rule.
Back in Celina on Thursday, the Mariners took on the rival Locos. Felix scored from Ernst’s sacrifice fly in the first and the Mariners led 1-0. The Locos had a three-run home run off the bat of Derrick Jackson Jr. in the third, but Green hit a double in the bottom half which scored Felix and cut Lima’s lead to one. The Locos answered loudly in the fourth on a bases-clearing double shortly after a very brief rain delay. They scored a couple more times in the inning and took an 8-2 lead. The Mariners would have a big inning of their own in the fifth. Ethan Whitley got to first on an error and Felix and Green scored. Later, Porter hit a single that scored Ernst and Whitley. That made Lima’s lead just 8-6. Once the inning concluded, there was lightning which delayed the game. With more rain coming, the teams decided to end the game – which is an official game if five innings have been completed. Lima earned the win. Felix was 3-3 with three runs scored, a double, and a stolen base. He is hitting .328 this summer.
Then on Friday, the Mariners went to Galion to face the Graders. The Mariners won 8-4, but it was a pitcher’s duel for most of the game. Brayden Morrow had a sacrifice fly that scored Ryan Davis in the first, but that was the only run the Mariners could get in the first seven innings. With Zach Boyer on the mound for the Mariners, the Graders could only manage two runs (just one was earned). In 6.1 innings, Boyer struck out five and allowed four hits. His ERA is now 3.48. The Graders led 2-1 after seven, and then the offense picked up. Garrett Felix had a two-run home run which scored Preston Jones. Morrow walked and then Jimenez hit a double which brought him home. Taj Porter was up next and got on base from an error and Jimenez scored. The Mariners led 5-2 at this point, but the Graders closed the gap and made it 5-4 heading into the ninth. The Mariners continued the offensive firepower once Felix had a single that scored Jones again. Then Morrow brought Felix home with his two-run shot. The Mariners led 8-4, and Porter pitched the last 1.1 innings to get the save. He struck out three and didn’t allow any hits. Seeker got the win – going 1.1 innings in relief without giving up a hit.
Saturday the Mariners face the Ice Haulers at 7:05. Free five-minute chair massages will be available for fans at the game thanks to McIntosh Medical Massage! Then on Sunday, the Monarchs will be in town for a 4:05 start. Kids will have the chance to run the bases and get player autographs after the game. We will also pick the winners of our season-long raffle throughout Sunday’s game. You do not need to be present to win, but we hope to see you there for our last game of the summer!
