The Mariners Lose a Tough Series to the Mets!

Despite individual successes on offense and defense, the Mariners finished the series with one win while the Mets had two. I am surprised that the Mets have not won more games as their lineup is strong as is their defense. Ronny Mauricio impressed me. He made his debut in time to contribute to the Mariner losses. Our newest bullpen addition, Dominic Leone (another Dom!) pitched well. We lost Ty France after he received an elbow contusion from being hit with a pitch. He has no broken bones so I hope some rest will lessen the pain and restore him to the lineup.

Game 1: Friday, September 1, 2023: SEA 1, NYM 2

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Friday’s game. Logan Gilbert and the Mets’ Kodai Senga made sure that not much hitting took place until the fourth inning. In the top of the fourth, J.P. Crawford hit a solo home run: SEA 1, NYM 0. The next score was in the bottom of the sixth inning when Brandon Nimmo homered: SEA 1, NYM 1. Former Mariner, Daniel Vogelbach sent Francisco Lindor home in the bottom of the Eighth after Lindor singled, stole second base, and reached third base on a wild pitch: SEA 1, NYM 2. This was the final score.

There were times when Mariners were on base but no one else hit to make a run. Other times, players made decisions that likely prevented a score.

Logan Gilbert pitched into the seventh inning, allowing only one run with seven hits.

Game 2: Saturday, September 2, 2023: SEA 8, NYM 7

The scoring started earlier in the second game, but it was another nail-biter! In the top of the second inning, Tesócar Hernández hit a single home run to center field: SEA 1, NYM 0. In the third, Crawford scored when Julio Rodríguez hit a triple: SEA 2, NYM 0. Hernández singled and that sent Rodríguez home: SEA 3, NYM 0.

In the fourth, DJ Stewart hit a three-run homer, tying the game: SEA 3, NYM 3. In the fifth, Mets’ pitcher David Peterson hit Crawford. Rodríguez grounded out but Crawford made it to second and then to third on a Geno Suárez single. Hernández hit a sac fly and Crawford scored: SEA 4, NYM 3.

In the top of the sixth, Met’s pitcher Grant Hartwig hit Ty France in the elbow. France left the game and Mike Ford replaced him at first base. Dom Canzone pinch hit for Dylan Moore and hit a two-run home: SEA 6, NYM 3. Sam Haggerty walked, stole second, and then stole third. Haggerty scored on a throwing error: SEA 7, NYM 3.

In the bottom of the sixth, Mark Vientos hit a home run: SEA 7, NYM 4. Lindor then homered, bringing Omar Narvaez home too: SEA 7, NYM 6. In the eighth, Lindor walked. McNeill tripled and Lindor scored: SEA 7, NYM 7.

Captain Crawford saved the day and homered in the top of the ninth: SEA 8, NYM 7. In the bottom of the ninth, Vogelbach hit and attempted to reach second, but Haggerty, Crawford, and Rojas collaborated to get him out. The Mets did not score again. The final score was SEA 8, NYM 7.

Luis Castillo pitched five innings, allowing five runs. He was followed by Speier, Brash, Saucedo, and Topa. A Topa fan section was there to watch the last inning!

Game 3: Sunday, September 3, 2023: SEA 3, NYM 6

It looked like the Mets were more alert than the Mariners in the first several innings. In the first, Lindor reached first on an error. When Alonso singled into the outfield, Lindor scored: SEA 0, NYM 1. In the bottom of the second, Mauricio singled and then stole second base. Francisco Alvarez singled and Mauricio scored: SEA 0, NYM 2. In the third, Jeff McNeill singled and Alonso homered, sending both home: SEA 0, NYM 4.

The Mariners woke up in the fourth. Megill hit Suárez with a pitch. Dom Canzone then hit a two-run home run: SEA 2, NYM 4.  The next batter, Mike Ford, also hit a home run: SEA 3, NYM 4.

In the bottom of the fifth, McNeil hit a home run: SEA 3, NYM 5. In the bottom of the seventh, Alonso hit a home run: SEA 3, NYM 6.

George Kirby may have been experiencing the after-effects of his illness combined with the Mets hitting many foul balls, because he was not his usual self. Leone, Campbell, and Thornton followed him for the remaining innings.

And So . . .

We follow the Mariners to Cincinnati to take on the Reds. I will say that I saw many of the players make positive contributions to the Mets games, despite the losses. Go, Mariners!