Final score: Mariners 6, Royals 1

Remember yesterday? Remember how the Mariners got to the Royals early and the starter went deep in the ballgame, only giving up one run in the process? They did it again.

Blake Beavan took over right where Jason Vargas left off, shutting down the potent Royals offense for yet another night. Like Vargas, who is without a loss in July, Beavan is now 3-0 and has brought his season record to 6-6. Beavan was able to rack up six strikeouts while only issuing one walk over 6.2 innings.

I was a bit late for the game tonight and sat in my seat while the Mariners were up to bat in the bottom of the first. John Jaso launched the first pitch I saw about 20 rows deep to right field, effectively ending the game before I could even process that it had started. Jaso came through in the next inning with a sacrifice fly to score Dustin Ackley, and Mike Carp belted a homer of his own in the sixth to cap a 2-for-4 night. Ackley, Jesus Montero and Brendan Ryan also laced two hits each and, for the second night in a row, the Mariners beat the Royals and it wasn’t even close.

I’ve said this before, but this team looks like it may be coming together. John Jaso has been a solid, consistent hitter. Jesus Montero, Dustin Ackley and even Mike Carp look as if they’re all headed in the right direction offensively. Beavan, Felix, Kevin Millwood and Jason vargas have all shown on multiple occasions that they are capable of going eight or more innings while giving up one run or less. When things start clicking all around on a ballclub, that’s when it gets really fun.

Next game: vs. Royals | July 28 | 1:10 pm