Single mistake looms large as Mariners lose series finale to Phillies

Through three innings, Logan Gilbert was looking every bit the role as one of the top pitchers in all of baseball. He had stymied the Phillies offense, striking out five hitters and walking just one. The M’s had four hits up to that point, things were looking good, and heading into the top of the 4th the Mariners were ahead 1-0.

Then the wheels came off for Logan Gilbert. He would give up a single to start the inning, followed by a walk to Bryce Harper. Moore would make a nice catch in right as he smashed into the wall, and there were runners on the corners with just one out. This is where a true Ace somehow manages to get out of the inning with, at worst, giving up just one out.

Logan Gilbert would make one mistake, and it cost the Mariners deeply

Harper stole second, and Segura walked. The bases were loaded. Gilbert had been nasty up to this point, and the Phillies (other than the Castellanos deep flyout to right) were struggling to make solid contact.

I wish Rhys Hoskins would have struggled to make contact. Instead, Gilbert let a fastball sit middle, and Hoskins took full advantage, blasting it over the wall in left for a grand slam. It was 4-1 Phillies, even though they only had two hits.

Gilbert would strike out the next four batters. After a single (again) to Alec Bohm, Raleigh would catch him stealing, and the fifth inning was over… just like Logan Gilbert’s night.

The Mariners would hit a few doubles throughout the night but just couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities. Frazier was stranded in the 5th, albeit with two outs. Crawford was stranded the next inning as Suarez and Torrens would strike out behind him.

The Mariners had an opportunity again in the 7th. Moore walked and stole second. Toro, pinch-hitting for the big dumper, would strike out. Frazier walked, and France drove in Moore with Frazier scooting to third. Julio, in a wonderful position to make a massive impact, flew out to center.

All in all, it fit the mold of the last couple of weeks for the Mariners. Missed opportunities on offense, lacking the ability to put hits together in bunches. Remember, that was something they seemed to be able to do well last year. At one point in the season, they were one of the top teams in the entire league at bunch hitting.

If not for that single mistake from Gilbert, the Mariners would’ve walked out with a very 2021 win. Instead, they head to New York to take on the Mets starting on Friday, with a well-deserved off-day on Thursday. The Mariners need to get it together on offense, and the off day could be exactly what they need. Look for Marco on the mound Friday afternoon against the Mets. Go Mariners!