Mariners vs White Sox: A disappointing series loss

The Mariners and White Sox have finished up their series, the first of three which the Mariners are playing before taking off for their last road trip of the season. We will have some previews up on those when they start, but for now, let’s recap the important and interesting things that happened in the series with the White Sox.

Something catchy about the series, win or lose.

Mariners vs White Sox: Game 1: White Sox win 3-2

Unfortunately, all great things come to an end. The Mariners came into the series opener riding a seven-game win streak, but the bats cooled off. It might’ve been a different story if Mitch Hanigers glove was 1/4″ larger, but alas, it kicked out of his glove and over the wall for a two-run homer by Elvis Andrus.

The Mariners would claw their way back into it, trying to salvage a ND for a great outing from Marco, who went seven and allowed three runs on just four hits and one walk. Down 3-1 in the 9th, the Mariners had runners on 1st and 2nd with Crawford at the plate. He worked a full count, which meant the runners would get a head start with two outs. Sam Haggerty was on first, so a soft ball in the gap or something funky into the outfield would give him a chance to score.

Crawford did just that, flaring one into right field. The Mariners could’ve sent Haggerty and given him a chance to score and tie it up. Instead, they held him, and the throw went up the first baseline. Hindsight says that should’ve sent him, but the Mariners would then have runners on 2nd and 3rd, with Adam Frazier coming up to the plate.

Liam Hendricks was tired of the drama. Strike, strike, strike, and the game was over so fast that it was hard to comprehend. The Sox won by the skin of their teeth, and got the opener with a 3-2 score.

Mariners vs White Sox: Game 2: Mariners win 3-0

I was worried about this one because of the guile and deception that Johnny Cueto brings to the table. He did exactly what we feared, going six innings and giving up just one run. There was a chance he could’ve escaped unscathed, but a throwing error allowed Ty France to score in the 4th, making it 1-0.

Unfortunately for the Sox, Logan Gilbert was nasty. He got up to 99 on the radar again and seems like he has found another gear as the season approaches its end. This makes back-to-back stud outings for him, going six against both Detroit and Chicago, giving up a total of just seven hits, walking one, and striking out nine in each game. If this doesn’t get you hyped up, there is something wrong with you (or you’re a Sox fan… sorry).

It was still close in the 8th, until we had yet another Big Dumper (Cal Raleigh) sighting, as he smoked a ball into the right field bleachers. His swing seems so great, as that’s a pitch that would’ve gotten him early in the season. He leads MLB catchers in HR, is 1st in AL catchers in SLG %, and is the only catcher with 2.0+ oWAR, 1.0+ dWAR, and 20+ HR, as well as just one of three players in all of baseball with those three stats as well as an OPS+ of 120 or more. Dude is a stud, straight up.

Thanks to Mariners Media for all that great information!

Mariners vs White Sox: Game Three (Rubber Match):

Luis Castillo came out on fire, and was not messing around. This is how he came out in the game. K-K-K-K-K-K-K. Seven straight K’s before inducing a ground out. Just incredible. Wow!

The Mariners would provide him some healthy run support early. Julio roped a ball off the center field wall to bring in Casali, Haniger would hit a sac fly to later score Julio, and then Eugenio Suarez would celebrate his 1,000th career hit in fantastic fashion, just crushing a ball to the upper deck for a two-run blast to give the Mariners an early 4-0 lead.

Suarez almost made a fantastic play on defense for a double play, but it was correctly overturned. The White Sox quickly cashed in on the inning being extended, and Jimenez hit a two-run homer to make it 4-2. The Mariners knocked Kopech out in the 4th and had a huge opportunity, as France came to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. He worked a full count but flew out to RF to end the inning.

Suarez made a huge error in the 6th, and it ended up costing the Mariners big, as the Sox would score 4 that inning and take a 6-4 lead. The Mariners had a chance to answer in the bottom of the inning with 2 on and 1 out and Julio up at the plate. He would walk to load them for Ty France, who would hit into an RBI groundout, making it 6-5. Haniger would come up with a chance to capitalize but would go down looking on a full count on a curve that was absolutely painted.

Suarez would redeem his earlier error with a leadoff homer to make it 6-6 in the 7th. However, bad things come in bunches, and on a day where a defensive miscue cost the Mariners, their bullpen struggled late as well, and they would lose the game 9-6.

The Mariners will host arguably the hottest team in baseball next, with the Atlanta Braves coming to town for a three-game set. Stay tuned for a series preview of the Mariners vs the reigning World Series Champions!