SEATTLE — As a demoralizing 2013 winds down for the Seattle Mariners hope is already springing eternal for 2014.
The Mariners (69-89) saw two major components for next season deliver key performances Tuesday night in their 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
Justin Smoak hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning to apply a crushing blow to the Royals’ postseason aspirations.
Rookie starter James Paxton (3-0) made it hold up with seven strong innings. In just his fourth big-league start, Paxton allowed four hits, walking none and striking out a career-high 10.
“He looked real good. Big, tall kid, straight over the top, straight downhill action on all his pitches,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “Good fastball, I mean, overpowering fastball at times, got it up to 97, lot of life on it. But downhill pitches are tough to hit, especially fastballs. Good breaking stuff, good changeup, good curveball.”
Paxton said it didn’t matter to him that the Royals had everything on the line.
“I wasn’t really paying attention to that. I was just focusing on executing pitches, one pitch at a time,” he said. “It could be just the electricity. Being out there it just kind of raises your intensity up that much more. I think it helps me to get lock in.”
It was the 13th shutout for the Mariners and the ninth time the Royals have been shut out.
Mariners manager Eric Wedge said, “what he (Paxton) is doing, what you are seeing against teams he is pitching against, is real. I like the composure out there, the consistency with which he carries himself. “
“We are a long way from next year but he is off to a great start right now,” Wedge added. “There is a lot to like that and he is still learning. He’s just getting going here and has a lot ahead of him.”
As for Smoak, Wedge said, “that is probably the best he has hit right-handed all year. But it shows you want he is capable of doing.”
For Smoak, who matched his career high of 19 home runs set last season, it was just his second right-handed. The other was Sunday against the Angels.
Smoak hit a 0-2 fastball from Bruce Chen (8-4) into the bullpen in left field.
“I hit it. I don’t know if I looked straight into the lights or whatever but I didn’t know where it went,” Smoak said. “To be able to barrel one up, knowing the work I’ve put in the last couple weeks, it is starting to show.”
Time is running out on the Royals — just five games remaining — much distance needs to be covered and two teams need to be hurdled.
The Royals’ three competitors for the two AL wild-card spots — Tampa Bay, Texas and Cleveland — all won Tuesday.
The Royals, down four games in the loss column to Cleveland, need to win every game and hope that both the Indians and the Rangers completely collapse.
“We just go till they say we can’t win it,” Yost said. “We go as hard as we can. Keep playing our best guys and staying after it.”