The Mariners Tuesday recalled RHP Sam Gaviglio from AAA Tacoma and, to make room on the 25-man roster, optioned OF Boog Powell to the Rainiers. Gaviglio is Seattle’s starting pitcher Tuesday night when the Mariners, who reached .500 with a dramatic 9-7 win in 10 innings Monday night, take on the Astros in Houston. Having won five consecutive games, they face RHP Brad Peacock (7-1, 2.63).
Gaviglio, 27, is 3-4, 4.31 in 11 games, including 10 starts. He was optioned to Tacoma July 7 to keep him in turn over the All-Star break, and made one start with the Rainiers, allowing four earned runs in five innings against Fresno July 13.
The Mariners are 6-4 in Gaviglio’s starts, and he has pitched at least five innings in nine of his 10 starts. His 4.31 ERA is fifth-best among MLB rookie pitchers. He made his debut May 11, at Toronto in relief, and moved into the starting rotation May 18. He collected his first MLB win (and hit) May 29 at Colorado.
The Mariners acquired Gaviglio from St. Louis in exchange for INF Ty Kelly Nov. 20, 2014. The native of Ashland, OR., has appeared in parts of seven minor league seasons in the Cardinals (2011-14) and Mariners (2015-17) organizations.
Powell, 24, was in his third stint with the Mariners. He appeared in three games after his recall July 2, and was 2-for-8. This year, he’s hit .194 in 23 games. In 41 games with Tacoma, he has hit .331.
Before the game, manager Scott Servais, to no one’s surprise, said that set-up man Nick Vincent and closer Edwin Diaz would be unavailable. Each has pitched in the previous four games.
