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Seattle Mariners

Out of Right Field: Recap, takeaways from the Mariners’ 2-1 victory against the Los Angeles Angels

Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales walks off the field after being relieved against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning Tuesday, April 2, 2019, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
By Gene Warnick The Spokesman-Review

Marco Gonzales allowed four hits in 8 1 /3 innings as the Seattle Mariners defeated the visiting Los Angeles Angels 2-1 Tuesday night.

Daniel Vogelbach hit a tiebreaking home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Seattle won its fourth straight game and swept the two-game series.

The Mariners improved to 7-1, breaking a franchise record for the best start to a season. Seattle started 6-1 in 1984, 1985 and 1995.

Of note

The Mariners activated RHP Anthony Swarzak (right shoulder impingement) from the 10-day injured list. Swarzak made his M’s debut with two outs and two runners on in the ninth inning, striking out Albert Pujols and getting Jonathan Lucroy to ground out to second base to end the game. … RHP David McKay, who didn’t appear in a game since being called up Saturday, was sent to Triple-A Tacoma to make room on the roster for Swarzak.

By the numbers

8: Consecutive games to start the season in which the Mariners have hit a home run, tying the franchise mark set in 1998.

Our take from right field

There’s no longer any question about who is the Mariners’ No. 1 starter. Gonzales, the former Gonzaga standout, nearly went the distance. Swarzak, acquired in the deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets, gives the M’s another late-game option with closer Hunter Strickland out for a couple of months with a Grade 2 lat strain.

Up next

The Mariners are off Wednesday before opening a series Thursday in Chicago against the White Sox. LHP Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 2.53 ERA) is scheduled to face RHP Reynaldo Lopez (0-1, 9.00).