Mariners fall victim to awful timing after Reds' wave of injured reinforcements arrives

The Seattle Mariners' 8-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday was a disappointing setback, especially given the context of Luis Castillo's return to Great American Ball Park. 

Castillo, once a cornerstone of the Reds' rotation, struggled in his homecoming, surrendering six earned runs over 4.1 innings, including a pivotal three-run homer to Austin Hays that shifted the game's momentum. 

The Reds got 3 key players back from the injured list at the worst possible time for the Mariners

The timing of the Reds activating key players from the injured list couldn't have been worse for Seattle. 

Hays, making his Reds debut after recovering from a calf injury, went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including the aforementioned three-run homer that turned a 4-2 deficit into a 5-4 lead. Matt McLain, returning from a hamstring injury, contributed by scoring two runs and drawing three walks, consistently applying pressure on the Mariners' pitching staff. Reliever Alexis Díaz, back from his own hamstring issue, delivered a solid sixth inning, helping to stabilize the Reds' bullpen. 

Despite a strong start, including two home runs from Dylan Moore, the Mariners couldn't maintain their early lead. Though the team scored four runs, their 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position emphasized this team's lack of ability to capitalize when it's needed most. They still rank dead last with runners in scoring position with a .149 batting average.

While the Mariners' strikeout percentage has dropped from 26.8 to 23.8 and the walk rate is top three in the league, the .208 batting average and lack of ability to hit when it matters will continually haunt this team.

The decision to keep Castillo on the mound during the fifth inning proved costly, as the Reds capitalized on the opportunity to seize control of the game, and the Mariners bullpen (other than Andrés Muñoz) proves to be an inconsistent unit at best.

This loss snapped Seattle's four-game winning streak and highlighted concerns about the team's pitching depth and in-game management. As the Mariners continue their road trip, addressing these issues will be crucial to getting back on track.​