Seattle Mariners Underwhelm in Series Loss to Twins

The Seattle Mariners took the second game of their series with the Minnesota Twins in dominant fashion, but missed opportunities on offense haunted the M’s in the series opener and rubber match.

Mariners vs Twins: Game 1

Ty France (of course) came through with an RBI single and Taylor Trammell mashed a solo homer in the 7th, but the rest of the offense couldn’t catch up to Byron Buxton, who led the offensive charge for the Twins in a 3-2 loss for Seattle. Manager Scott Servais made a head-scratching decision to pinch-hit for Trammell with Julio Rodriguez in the 9th against a right-handed pitcher; yes, it’s Julio, but why abort a scheduled rest day for a young star in order to replace a guy who just went yard?

Mariners vs Twins: Game 2

Tuesday night was a fun one. All-Star candidate (and newfound Mariners ace) Logan Gilbert dominated for six innings, Julio Rodriguez reached base three times, and Eugenio Suarez and Ty France each delivered two-run homers in Seattle’s series-tying 5-0 victory. Diego Castillo continued his hot streak out of the bullpen, and the end of the order put together an exciting rally in the 7th with Dylan Moore walking, stealing second, then scoring on a Sam Haggerty double.

Mariners vs Twins: Game 3

Despite another fantastic start from Marco Gonzales, the Mariners were shut out in the rubber match while the offense was stymied by Twins starter Sonny Gray. The lack of momentum for Seattle started in the 3rd when Taylor Trammell doubled to right then reached third on a throwing error to open the inning, but Sam Haggerty, Adam Frazier, and Ty France each came up empty-handed in their efforts to score him. Scott Servais made another strange choice to pull a dominant Gonzales in the 7th at 89 pitches, with the Twins putting up the go-ahead run that inning.