Mariners have an incredible weekend amidst sweep of Rays

Whenever your favorite team can manage a walk-off win, it makes for a great time. It can ease the hurt of a recent loss, and put you in a good mood for a few games after. After sweeping the rays in their most recent series, the Mariners have plenty to be happy about.

If the highlight of the series would’ve been the Kyle Seager walk-off on Thursday night to start the series, that would’ve been enough for most people. I know it made me happy enough to have the feeling heading into the weekend.

The Mariners decided one walk-off wasn’t enough. More would come over the weekend.

After starting hot in the second game, there was no need for a walk-off as the Mariners would put up a four-spot en route to a 5-1 win to take the first two games of the series. That game was highlighted by yet another gem of a game by Yusei Kikuchi, who has an ERA of 2.53 over his last nine starts while throwing 57 innings and striking out 61.

While Kikuchi was dominating on the mound, another one of the Mariners who has been called back after spending a bit of time in Tacoma made their presence known. This time it was Luis Torrens, who put on a show at the plate in the three games that he played in the series. With a double, two home runs, and a walk, he finished 5-11 with a .455/.500/1.091 slash line, giving the offense a jolt during each game.

It was more than Torrens though. JP Crawford continues his hot hitting of late, punctuating his recent dominance when he came to the plate in the bottom of the second with the bases loaded. He would end the at-bat with them empty after blasting a grand slam for his 5th home run of the year. In fact, he’s been doing so well, @RaysColoredGlasses had something to say about it when the series was over.

Crawford would be involved in another impact play in the game, scoring the game-winning run on a Mitch Haniger single to give the Mariners their second 6-5 walk-off win of the series, and sealing the series victory for the M’s.

The final took place on Sunday afternoon, and was the lowest scoring affair of the series, at least through the first nine innings. The Mariners took a 1-0 lead off a Torrens homer early, and tied it back up at 2-2 in the 7th on a France home run. It was still tied with two outs come the bottom of the 10th inning, when Shed Long Jr decided to get in on the home run fun.

He would smack the 9th walk-off grand slam in team history, giving the Mariners yet another walk-off in the series, all of which they won with six runs. The sweep, which very few expected, was enough to get the Mariners to 38-36, their first time being two games above .500 since they were 18-16 earlier this season, 40 games ago.

Monday the 21st is a day off for the team, which is likely a good thing due to how emotionally drained they must be after the series with the Rays. Next on the docket is a two-game set against the Rockies in Seattle, with Chris Flexen and Justus Sheffield taking the mound for the Mariners. #SeaUsRise.