CASPER
New member
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners have used 18 rookies this season and their inexperience is showing at the plate.
The Mariners struck out 12 times Sunday in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, bringing their total to 51 in the four-game series.
Alex Gordon had a pair of RBI doubles and four Royals pitchers combined to limit the Mariners to six hits a day after they had only two.
"It's one of those things where you talk about being aggressive versus passive, like earlier in the year we were really passive," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "These guys are still trying to find it. They are up there looking to hit.
"As we continue to get more experience, those strikeouts will come down and you'll get more damage with those swings."
The Mariners couldn't crack Royals starter Everett Teaford (1-0), who was making his first big league start. He had 23 appearances out of the bullpen and only learned Saturday that he'd be the spot starter Sunday.
"It's unreal," said Teaford, who allowed three hits, walked one and struck out a career-high five. "To have my 100th (professional) start my first big league start and my first win of my career, and my dad here. ... It's awesome to have him in town. You can't write a better story than that."
The Mariners struck out 12 times Sunday in a 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, bringing their total to 51 in the four-game series.
Alex Gordon had a pair of RBI doubles and four Royals pitchers combined to limit the Mariners to six hits a day after they had only two.
"It's one of those things where you talk about being aggressive versus passive, like earlier in the year we were really passive," Mariners manager Eric Wedge said. "These guys are still trying to find it. They are up there looking to hit.
"As we continue to get more experience, those strikeouts will come down and you'll get more damage with those swings."
The Mariners couldn't crack Royals starter Everett Teaford (1-0), who was making his first big league start. He had 23 appearances out of the bullpen and only learned Saturday that he'd be the spot starter Sunday.
"It's unreal," said Teaford, who allowed three hits, walked one and struck out a career-high five. "To have my 100th (professional) start my first big league start and my first win of my career, and my dad here. ... It's awesome to have him in town. You can't write a better story than that."