Two tough games for the Mariners on Sunday. The Pirates sporting the league best record at 5-1were up first. The Pirates were built to be the leagues fastest team with the best defense and it worked once again. I would not have thought that the Mariner bats could be held to 4 runs in a 7 inning game but kudos to the Pirates for doing it for a 6-4 victory. The Pirates threw out 3 runners at the plate which made the difference in the game as Pirate hurler Kevin Gandy sprinkled 13 hits and no walks.

Game 2 against the 5-2 Isotopes was on field 1 with a strong wind blowing out to left field which figured to become a home run contest. Three singles and a walk produced 3 in the first with a Pete Salazar two run single being the big hit. Inning 2 saw Matt Hyson hit his 3rd grand slam in 3 weeks, all from the lead off position. So, great job by the bottom of the order to give him so many opportunities. Tim Jamieson followed up with a solo shot as the Mariners led 8-1 after 2. A Ryan Driggers 3 run blast in the 4th upped the lead to 13-8. The fifth and final inning saw Hyson and Driggers both pop 2 run dingers. An Isotope rally fell short as the Mariners gathered their first victory in two weeks 17-11.

Lots of choices for Impact Player with the nod going to Ryan Driggers who went 3-6 with 3 home runs, 4 runs and 7 RBI’s. Matt Hyson went 5-8 with 2 home runs and 6 ribbies. Robbie Franklin was 5-6, Tim Jamieson 5-7, Dustin Madlock and Troy Steele 3-6 and John Miller 2-4. That leaves the Mariners at 4-4 tied for second as we start competition within the division.