– by Adesina O. Koiki
A Lot of Sports Talk editor-in-chief
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ARLINGTON, Texas — For someone who was brought to the team to fill in the fifth spot in the rotation, Mariners starter Tyler Anderson continues to put up performances befitting of an ace, one that might end up making the difference in Seattle ending its long postseason drought.
Anderson allowed just one run and three hits in six innings pitched and the Mariners’ offense did just enough in defeating the Texas Rangers 3-1 in the first game of a three-game set at Globe Life Field. The win kept Seattle within striking distance of the second Wild Card spot in the American League, now four games back of Boston — the team currently holding the final Wild Card position — and gaining 1.5 games on the Red Sox after Boston was swept in a doubleheader by the New York Yankees earlier.
In four starts since being acquired from the Pirates last month, Anderson has allowed just seven runs in 21.2 innings pitched (2.91 ERA) while holding hitters to a paltry .646 OPS. His “worst” start as a Mariner came in his first game with the team, allowing three runs in 5.1 innings as the Mariners lost at home to the Rangers, 5-4, on July 31. His next three starts has seen him allow a grand total of four runs, repaying the faith the Mariners showed in bringing him on board to help Seattle’s push to earn its first playoff spot since 2001.
“We needed another starter, not a big name guy per se, but a guy that just comes in and does his job and gives you a chance,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said about Anderson’s acquisition. “And that’s really what we were looking for. Tonight, we got more than that.”
*Editor’s note: Above the byline is the photo gallery from Tuesday evening’s contest, with photographs taken by Dallas-area photographer Ross James. After clicking on the first photo to enlarge the picture, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures. There are 17 pictures in total.
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