OAKLAND, Calif. — Seattle faced Oakland A’s right-handed starter Jesse Chavez on Thursday night, but during the Mariners’ 3-2, 12-inning loss, they demonstrated their potential vulnerability to left-handed pitchers.
A’s manager Bob Melvin used three left-handed relievers against the predominantly left-handed-hitting Seattle lineup, and all three were effective. Fernando Abad, Sean Doolittle and Drew Pomeranz combined to pitch five shutout innings, allowing only one hit.
Despite seeing lefty pitchers for almost half the game, Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon never brought a right-handed hitter off his bench. He had three available Thursday night: a backup catcher (John Buck), a rookie outfielder (Stefen Romero) and a utility infielder (Willie Bloomquist).
Meanwhile, the Mariners started five left-handed hitters and two switch hitters. The five lefties went hitless against Oakland’s left-handed relievers.
The Mariners tore up the Los Angeles Angels’ left-handed pitching to the tune of a .340 batting average in their three season-opening wins. However, they also recorded 14 strikeouts against the left-handers, the second-most of any American League team.
That average is now .273 after Seattle went 1-for-16 against Abad, Doolittle and Pomeranz in the opener of the series in Oakland. Another right-handed bat already is on the club’s wish list.