6/17/17: Open Game Thread

Yovani Gallardo has not exactly been a world-beater as of late, but was able to snag his first win in nearly a month in his last outing against the Twins. Of course 14 runs in support certainly doesn't hurt, and the bats will be looking to give Yovani a much needed hand against a very fallible Martín Pérez in Arlington. Despite a BABIP north of .350 and a career high 3.55 walks per game, the Rangers starter has been solid against the Mariners this year, spinning two of his best performances of the year at Safeco. Why are we all completely unsurprised by this fact.

Meanwhile, with Jean Segura still on the shelf (but set to begin a Triple-A rehab assignment on Monday, huzzah!), Ben Gamel has all but solidified his role as Hitting Machine In Residence, and will remain in the leadoff spot against the lefty Pérez. He'll look to improve on his .347/.414/.474 slash line this afternoon in Arlington––provided he doesn't completely wreck himself on any more outfield walls:

Additionally, for those of you keeping tabs on the Mariners' interminable carousel of fringe MLB pitchers, Rob Whalen is back up from Tacoma to replace Zac Curtis, who chipped in 3 innings of what was effectively garbage time relief in last night's blowout loss. Here's hoping we won't need to see young Rob in a similar role today.

And finally, one more bit of breaking news before we get on with the show:

The #Mariners have claimed RHP Pat Light from Pittsburgh. Outrighted the contract of RHP Ryne Harper to AAA Tacoma. Light will report to AAA

— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) June 17, 2017

Pat Light, a former first-round pick of the Red Sox, is a big righty with a mid-90's fastball. At 26 years old, however, he has only 16.2 MLB innings to his name due largely to prominent control issues. He'll head to Tacoma where he'll work to harness his stuff.

Go Pat, go Yo, and go M's.