The Mariners Season in a Nutshell

With now just 10 games left in the 2015 season, we have the answer. Last night’s 4-3 loss to the Royals was the Mariners season in a nutshell. Last night’s game captured what the 2015 Mariners were supposed to be — and what the 2015 Mariners have actually been.

The Mariners were going up against the best team in the American League in the Kansas City Royals. The Mariners knew that the Astros had already lost earlier in the day, and that with a win, the M’s minute chances of making the playoffs would increase and pull them within 4.5 games of Houston with 10 to play.

The M’s had an opportunity. They also grabbed a 3-1 lead. Ketel Marte was a tablesetter. Nelson Cruz had an RBI. Roenis Elias pitched well enough to turn a lead over to the bullpen.

This is how it was supposed to go all year. The Mariners were supposed to be able to pitch and play defense well enough to win games.

But the bullpen gave up two runs to allow the game to be tied at 3-3 after nine innings. Joe Beimel gave up a run in the seventh after inheriting a runner from Danny Farquhar. Tom Wilhelmsen, who’s been great since being given the closers role back, allowed the game-tyer in the 9th.

The Mariners lost it in 10 innings.

That’s the 2015 Mariners. Given an opportunity, the Mariners folded. The M’s have played great this September, but how much has it really mattered? Yesterday it did (kind of) with the chance the M’s had, and they blinked.

We’ve seen it too many times before.

Maybe 2016 will be better…

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