The Mariners Lose a Tough Series with Toronto

The loss to Toronto marked the final of three series lost by the Mariners at home. The team had been hot and led the American League West by ten games. This has been a challenging time for the players but possibly you, like me, do not know why.

Fans Witnessed Great Pitching

Both teams put pitchers on the mound who could strike players out.

In the first game, Blue Jay Kevin Gausman, threw six innings, allowed two runs and struck ten players out. Luis Castillo threw into the seventh inning, allowing one run and striking out eight.

In game two, Emerson Hancock struck four Toronto players out and allowed two runs. Blue Jay Yariel Rodríguez pitched six innings, allowed only one hit and no runs, and struck out six Mariners.

While George Kirby allowed three runs while on the mound, he K’d eight in game 3. José Berríos struck ten players out over six innings, allowing four runs.

Both sides had to contend with masters of the mound.

Although Logan Gilbert did not play in this series, congratulations on being selected for the American League All-Star team!

Home Runs Powered the Mariners’ Scores

In the first game, Raleigh walked and Rodriguez singled in the third inning. Luke Raley hit a double and sent Raleigh and Rodriguez home. Seattle players had eight hits. The team RISP was 1-for-9. Twelve were left on base.

In the second game, the Mariners did not score until the bottom of the eighth. Garver and Canzone had singled when Mitch Haniger hit an HR for three runs. Luke Raley hit a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth. The team RISP was 1-for-7 with three left on base.

Victor Robles hit a solo home run in the third inning of the final game. In the fifth inning, Canzone hit a single, Robles bunted and made it to second on an error. Mitch Garver hit a three-run home run. The team RISP was 2-for-12 with 15 left on base.

Reflections

I struggle to understand what has been and continues to afflict our guys. The last game was discouraging, especially in the final innings. I fidgeted, alternately watched and looked away, doodled, and finally prayed.

The offensive performances of Luke Raley, Victor Robles, and Mitch Garver gave me hope. In addition to scoring runs, each reached base at least one other time.  I was glad to see J.P. Crawford and Cal Raleigh at the plate when a home run, especially, would have made a big difference, but they did not deliver as they had in the past.

Perhaps the players feel some pressure in front of a home crowd and will do better in this series away and with days off because of the All-Star break. We all know what our players can do.

Go, Mariners!