The Seattle Mariners are right in the middle of a gambling investigation by Major League Baseball.
They were the team opposing Guardians right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz when his action in an MLB game was first flagged.
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ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that on June 15 in Seattle, Ortiz threw the first pitch in the bottom of the second inning well outside the strike zone.
According to Passan, there was notable betting action on that pitch to be a ball or hit batsman.
“The first alert, according to sources who reviewed them, was sent June 15 and triggered by action on Ortiz’s first pitch against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the second inning to be a ball or hit batsman. Ortiz opened the inning with a slider well outside the strike zone,” Passan writes.
The batter against Ortiz there was Randy Arozarena. The pitch was a slider, and it appeared to miss about half-a-foot outside and a bit low, too.
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Ortiz had a similar pitch outside the zone on June 27 against the St. Louis Cardinals that was also flagged.
“Both alerts flagged bets in Ohio, New York and New Jersey. Betting on the result of first pitches is offered by some sportsbooks, with such wagers commonly referred to as microbets,” Passan writes.
Ortiz has been placed on “non-disciplinary paid leave” through the All-Star Break.
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