Seattle Mariners' season hits familiar struggles
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The Mariners' sizzling start has cooled after a 9-0 blowout loss to the Nationals. Photo: Olivia Vanni/Getty Images
The Mariners rocketed to the top of their division after a hot start, but a recent slump, capped by a 9-0 blowout loss to the Nationals, has fans bracing for another second-half slide.
Why it matters: Few franchises embody the thrill of victory — and the agony of defeat — like the Mariners, who have flirted with greatness time and again, only to falter when the pressure mounts.
- The Mariners have made the playoffs only once since 2001.
State of play: The Mariners are clinging to first place in the AL West even as a sputtering offense, string of injuries and shrinking lead threaten to drag them down.
By the numbers: Much of the Mariners' success has been driven by their pitching, with a 3.78 ERA powered by Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, and Andrés Muñoz.
- Their offense ranks middle-of-the-pack: a .238 batting average, 73 home runs (6th in MLB), and 49 stolen bases, according to MLB stats.
- They hold a slim 0.5-game lead over the Astros in the AL West.
Catch up quick: After nine consecutive series wins, the Mariners fell to division rivals, the Astros, losing three games in the four-game series that ran from May 22 to 25.
- Frustration peaked in the final game of the series, when manager Dan Wilson was ejected for the first time in his career — as player or coach — after arguing a called third strike against Randy Arozarena in the ninth inning.
- The Mariners lost that game 5–3.
What they're saying: If the Mariners could just score consistently, they'd become "a very dangerous team," Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz told Seattle Sports.
Zoom in: Seattle bounced back with a definitive 9–1 win over the Nationals but suffered a devastating 9–0 loss Wednesday — their most lopsided defeat of the season, per the Seattle Times.
- George Kirby, in his first home start since returning from a shoulder injury, gave up six runs and three home runs over five innings.
- That was a "tough one tonight," Wilson said after the game. "One to move on from."
Yes, but: The season is still young, only about a third through the MLB's 162 marathon game season.
- Mariners have already shown they can win, but whether they can weather this wobble remains the real test.
What we're watching: The team takes on the Minnesota Twins at home Friday.