Mariners can’t rally after 1st inning collapse, lose 12-1

27-7. That was the aggregate score of the Mariners three-game series versus the Dodgers over the weekend, but let’s focus on Sunday’s 12-1 embarrassment.

Dodger fans made themselves known inside Safeco Field among the 45,000 that filled the seats. The Mariners looked to take the rubber match of the series but would have to jump on former MVP Clayton Kershaw to do so. Not to mention, pitcher Roenis Elias was Seattle’s best counter-attack as Marco Gonzales was given the day off due to rest.

The Dodgers scored 5 runs in the first inning. Elias allowed 5 hits and walked a pair, and Los Angeles provided their ace with stellar run support.

With a slumping Mariner offense, how was Seattle supposed to score 6 runs against a former NL MVP and 3-time Cy Young Award Winner?

Well, they didn’t.

Kershaw went 7 innings and allowed just 5 hits and a run. Ryon Healy drove in Kyle Seager on an RBI single in the 4th, but it was the only noise the Seattle offense would produce. Los Angeles added a run in each of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th innings and held a 9-1 lead heading into the 9th.

Andrew Romine pitched more than Edwin Diaz this weekend, but the game was over by the time he took the mound Sunday. To cap off a series pitching disaster for the Mariners, Romine allowed a 3-run home run to Justin Turner, and Los Angeles padded the score to 12-1.

Fittingly, the Dodgers brought in Zac Rosscup to close the game. The reliever that held a 7.84 ERA before Sunday threw an immaculate inning to secure the series win for Los Angeles.

The Mariners are 3.5 games behind Oakland for the second Wild Card spot and now trail Houston 4.5 games for the division lead. They begin an important set against the Astros Monday night in Seattle as Felix Hernandez will battle Gerrit Cole. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10PT.