Mariners notebook: Cishek `never thought’ he’d have 100 career saves

SEATTLE — Somewhat lost Monday in the narrow escape by Mariners closer Steve Cishek is securing a 3-2 victory for Taijuan Walker over Houston was his own personal milestone.

It was Cishek’s 100th career save.

"Before, I said just being up here is a dream come true," he said. "That’s definitely still true. But I never thought I’d be saying I had 100 saves in my career in the major leagues. It’s really a blessing."

This one didn’t come easily.

Cishek gave up a one-out single to Carlos Gomez, who was thrown out by catcher Chris Iannetta while trying to steal second. Cishek then gave up a walk and a single, which put runners on first and third for Jose Altuve.

While he has long tormented the Mariners, Altuve ended the game by hitting a grounder to shortstop Ketel Marte, which turned into a game-ending force at second base.

"I was just throwing everything I could at him," Cishek said. "I didn’t have good command at all today. It was one of those days when I just didn’t have a feel for the baseball. It happens."

Cishek is one of 17 active pitchers with 100 or more saves. The active leader is Detroit’s Francisco Rodriguez with 390, followed by Washington’s Jonathan Papelbon (356) and Huston Street (320) of the Los Angeles Angels.

Former Mariners closer Fernando Rodney, now with San Diego, ranks fourth on the active list with 239, including 64 for the Mariners in 2014-15.

Cishek ranks seventh in saves percentage among the active 100-saves club at 87.0 percent (100-for-115). Boston’s Craig Kimbrel is the active leader at 90.6 percent, followed by Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees at 89.0 percent.

The 100-saves milestone is special for Cishek because he lost his job last season as Miami’s closer because of a poor stretch at the start of the season. When he hit the free-agent market, the Mariners were the only club to offer a chance to close.

Cishek jumped at the chance by signing a two-year deal for $10 million. It was a gamble, as general manager Jerry Dipoto admitted, but one where the Mariners liked the upside potential.

"Steve Cishek, prior to last year, was one of the premier closers in the game for the previous two seasons," Dipoto said. "His 2014 season is on par with just about anybody we can talk about as a premium free agent."

So far, the decision is paying off big.

Cishek is 5-for-5 in save situations while compiling an 0.90 ERA in 10 innings over nine appearances. He worked three straight one-two-three saves on the Mariners’ recent road trip before Monday’s nail-biter.

"I feel much better than I did last year," he said. "It’s not even close. For me, closing ballgames isn’t easy. But I know I put in the work this off-season to get my stuff back, I feel like I’m right there."

Cishek is one of 17 active pitchers with 100 or more saves. The active leader is Detroit’s Francisco Rodriguez with 390, followed by Washington’s Jonathan Papelbon (356) and Huston Street (320) of the Los Angeles Angels.

Former Mariners closer Fernando Rodney, now with San Diego, ranks fourth on the active list with 239, including 64 for the Mariners in 2014-15.

RIDING WALKER

Right-hander Taijuan Walker threw a career-high 118 pitches Monday over seven innings against Houston after throwing what had been a career-high 110 pitches on April 20 in his previous start at Cleveland.

Manager Scott Servais isn’t planning to rein in Walker any time soon.

"The gloves are off," Servais said. "We do want to let him go. That’s part of developing players at the major-league level, to have a feel for when to let them go…and let them see who they can be.

"We’re not going to let him go 150 pitches. We’re going to be smarter than that. But there comes a time where he’s throwing the ball great, his stuff is not dropping off, let’s ride it."

Walker is 2-0 with a 1.44 ERA over 25 innings in his four starts with 25 strikeouts and three walks. His April ERA is the second-best mark in franchise history for a pitcher with at least four starts.

Floyd Bannister had a 1.21 ERA in April 1980.

TELEVISION REVENUE

The Mariners are in line to generate $76 million this season in local television revenue, according to estimates published by www.Fangraphs.com.

That ranks fifth among 30 clubs, trailing only the Los Angeles Dodgers ($204 million), Los Angeles Angels ($118 million), New York Yankees ($98 million) and Boston Red Sox ($80 million).

The Mariners’ deal with Root Sports Northwest, of which it owns 71 percent, began in 2014 and calls for $1.8 billion over 18 years through 2031.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

When the Mariners, at 10-9, began Tuesday in first place, it marked the latest in the season that they’ve been atop the American League West Division since May 5, 2009.

"I’ve gotten more text messages today saying that we’re in first place," Servais said. "We’re playing well, but let’s be realistic. We’re 19 games into it. I would much rather be in first than on the other side of it.

"I’d say, right now, our pitching has carried us to this point. We’ve had some nice offensive days. Once it all gets clicking, then you have a chance to really put a (streak together and) win nine out of 10.

"I’m not really looking at the standings at this point."

SIX STRAIGHT STRIKEOUTS

When Walker struck out the last six batters he faced in Monday’s 3-2 victory Houston, he came within one strikeout of a club record.

Lefty Mark Langston struck out seven straight batters on June 15, 1984 in a 4-3 victory over Texas at the Kingdome. Langston struck out 12 in all that day but got a no-decision when the Mariners won 4-3 in 10 innings.

Seven other Mariners registered six straight strikeouts in club history. The last to do it before Walker was lefty reliever Charlie Furbush on Sept. 19, 2011 in a start at Cleveland. The Mariners rallied for a 12-6 victory in that game.

Others to do it: Felix Hernandez (2008), Rafael Soriano (2003) and Randy Johnson on four occasions (1992, 1995, 1997 and 1998).

MINOR DETAILS

Double-A Jackson outfielder Tyler O’Neill, through Monday, had reached base safely in all 17 games. He was batting .303 with four home runs and 12 RBIs.

O’Neill, 20, was a co-recipient last year as the organization’s minor-league player of the year after batting .260 with 32 homers and 87 RBIs in 106 games at Hi-A Bakersfield.

The Mariners selected O’Neill in the third round of the 2013 draft. He entered the season ranked No. 9 in the TNT Top 10 list of the organization’s prospects.

LOOKING BACK

It was 21 years ago Wednesday — April 27, 1995 — that Randy Johnson, Bill Risley and Bobby Ayala combined for a 3-0 victory over Detroit at the Kingdome.

It was the first shutout victory on opening day in Mariners’ history and started the club toward its first postseason berth. The start of the season was delayed by a labor dispute.

Ken Griffey Jr. accounted for all of the runs with a three-run into the third deck in the fifth inning against Tigers starter Sean Bergman.

SHORT HOPS

Center fielder Leonys Martin, a left-handed hitter, got a break Tuesday when the Mariners faced Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel. Manager Scott Servais said left fielder Nori Aoki (who started Tuesday in center) will also likely get a day off on this homestand. Further, second baseman Robinson Cano will likely serve one game as a DH…Cano collected his 998 career RBI in Monday’s victory over the Astros…On Wednesday, it will be 88 days until outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y…another reminder: Saturday’s game against Kansas City will start at 7:10 p.m. That’s one hour later than previously scheduled.

ON TAP

The Mariners and Astros conclude their three-game series at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday at Safeco Field. Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma (0-2 with a 3.81 ERA) will face Houston right-hander Collin McHugh (1-3, 7.56).

The game can be seen on Root Sports Northwest and heard on 710 ESPN.

After an open date Thursday, the Mariners complete their homestand with three weekend games against Kansas City. Note that Saturday’s game has a revised start time of 7:10 p.m.

Bob Dutton: @TNT_Mariners

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Mariners notebook: Cishek `never thought’ he’d have 100 career saves."