M’s Analysis: Mariners and Walk-Off Losses

When you’re a Mariners fan, it just feels different. No lead ever seems safe. Every baserunner in the last inning seems like it could be the beginning of the end.

It felt like that on Monday, when the M’s held an 8-4 lead against the Rockies. The Rockies proceeded to score three runs and leave the winning run on base. The M’s escaped with a win, but it wasn’t easy. Nothing ever is.

That’s why yesterday afternoon’s loss doesn’t surprise me. It hurts. But it doesn’t surprise me. The M’s held a 5-3 lead in the 9th. One out, no one on. Lloyd went to Fernando Rodney, who promptly blew the game, allowing the Rockies to tie. The M’s then lost in 12 on a walk-off homer, with two strikes, and two outs of course.

It doesn’t surprise me. It still hurts, but it doesn’t surprise me. And this is why:

Sixty-three walk-off losses in the last five-plus years. That’s an average of more than 10 a season, and this season isn’t over yet. Walk-off losses are created in a lot of ways, and the Mariners have found a way to make almost all of them happen.

1. Single

2. Double

3. Triple, although I can’t remember a walk-off triple in those six years

4. Homer, I can remember plenty of those

5. Not throwing strikes, aka walkoff walks, or walks that lead to walkoff hits

6. Wild pitches: The M’s did this against the Angels this season

7. Balks: It hasn’t happened yet that I can remember. Please don’t lose on a balk.

Being a Mariners fan is just different. If you always feel the need to hold your breath, you have a reason.

It’s who we are.

Go M’s.

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