When the Mariners were struggling in April, it was mainly because of their bullpen.
But when things got really bleak in May with hitters flailing and starters sagging, the bullpen quietly began to reassert itself. After the game of April 24, the bullpen had a combined ERA of 6.00. But in the last 16 games, Seattle relievers have posted a 1-1 record with a 2.60 ERA.
That 6.00 ERA peak came just a couple of days after the return of righty closer J.J. Putz. Having him available in the ninth inning has meant other pitchers can fit more comfortably in their own roles and not have to worry about covering the ninth.
Sunday saw Arthur Rhodes, Sean Green, Brandon Morrow and Putz combine to shut out the Chicago White Sox over the final 3 2/3 innings of a 5-3 Seattle win.
"Now we're able to line up the way we should," Putz said after his third save. "We can match up the way we want."
MARINERS 6, WHITE SOX 3: LF Raul Ibanez hit his first home run since April 12, lifting the Mariners into a 3-2 lead in the third inning, and Seattle went on to end a five-game losing streak. It was a breakthrough win of sorts for the Mariners, who won after being down 2-0 in the first inning. Seattle had been 0-19 in games when they'd trailed by two or more runs.
RHP Miguel Batista struggled in his 5 1/3 innings, giving up 10 hits, three walks and hitting a man, but he pitched himself out of a base-loaded jam in the third and a first-and-second, none-out jam in the fifth before the bullpen took over and shut the door.
