Final score: Diamondbacks 14, Mariners 10

I’ll admit it: I spaced out during this game. On my commute home this afternoon, I turned on the radio to hear the Diamondbacks scoot around the bases for runs 11, 12, 13, and 14 on Miguel Montero’s RBI single and Ryan Roberts’ inside-the-park homer. At which point, I turned on KISS FM and started belting some Adele.

Here are the bullet points of today’s game. Although a 14-10 loss is never welcome, there were some standout moments from the Mariners that deserve a bit of attention before we shelve this series.

• Jason Vargas surrendered five home runs in 4.1 innings, with a side of 9 hits, 10 earned runs, and 2 walks. Although he struck out two batters, the Ks came after wearying 7-pitch at-bats.
• His shaky start notwithstanding, Vargas became the first Mariners pitcher this season to record a hit. He went 1-for-2 at the plate with a single off opposing starter Trevor Cahill, coming around to score Seattle’s first run on a John Jaso double.
• The Mariners fought back, albeit not quite as hard, with two home runs from Kyle Seager and Franklin Gutierrez. Kyle’s homer, his tenth of the season, was the icing on a 5-run 3rd inning. Guti, on the other hand, served up a 3-RBI jack in the 8th to bring the M’s within four runs of tying the game.
• Brendan Ryan stretched his hitting streak to 5 games, going 2-for-4 today with a base hit and a double. Both times, Munenori Kawasaki followed with non-productive outs.
• The ‘pen collapsed in the 4.2 innings following Vargas’s departure, giving up 7 hits, 4 runs, and the 6th long ball of the day. Oliver Perez was the handpicked closer of the afternoon, and maintained his scoreless streak with a 10-pitch, 2-strikeout inning.
• RISP: 4-for-8. Progress!

After an off day tomorrow, the Mariners will reunite with the Padres at Petco Park on Friday for a much-needed rematch.

Next game: @ Padres | June 22 | 7:05pm