Seattle, WA - The Seattle Mariners failed to complete a sweep of the Texas Rangers, falling 8-6 at home. Seattle got out to a flaming hot start with five runs in the bottom of the first inning, but the Rangers would climb back and eventually take the lead. The most notable innings for Texas were the fifth, where they plated four runs, and ninth. Knotted up at six runs each, the Rangers were able to come up clutch and pick up two runs to take the lead back. The Mariners would go down one, two, three in the bottom of the ninth, and that was it.
Infield nightmares come back to haunt Seattle.
The infield played both positive and negative roles in the loss, and we'll start with the negatives. The Mariners conceded three errors in the loss, and those mostly came in the top of the fifth inning. A throwing error began the inning as Eli White was able to reach second base on a missed throw out. White advanced to third on a Marcus Semien ground out, and then scored on a Corey Seager sac-fly. To restart their scoring, Mitch Garver reached first base on a missed throw out. Adolis Garcia would double to left, and then three runs would be driven in thanks to a Nick Solak no-doubt home run. While Texas didn't continue the scoring until the top of the ninth, that top of the inning in the fifth was the primary cause for concern in the loss. Four runs, three hits, and two errors. That sort of baseball is what you may expect from a ball club in say, Oakland, but not one that is hoping to make the playoffs for the first time since I (Charles) was three months old (2001).
Offensive impact felt from all four infield spots
While the negatives may outweigh the positives, in a way, from this game, their was clear offensive impact from all four of the Mariner starting infielders in this game. At first base, Ty France started the fireworks in this game with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning. France continues to show his worth since being acquired from San Diego, going 3-4 tonight. At second base, Adam Frazier may not have continued his hitting numbers that have ignited since the teams first home series, but he was effective. Frazier scored twice in this game as he was walked twice. At the shortstop position, JP Crawford added more gas on to the fire that Ty France had built. Crawford launched a no-doubt rocket of his own into the right field seats, flipping his batt into the stratosphere afterwards. Over at third base, Eugenio Suarez only recorded one hit on the night, but it was a crucial one. Suarez singled into centerfield, tying the game up at six in the bottom of the eighth. While noting the infield positions, Seattle had a lingering issue factor into this loss. Following Suarez's single to tie the game and a Crawford walk, the Mariners had the bases loaded with a chance to grab the lead back. Catcher Tom Murphy struck out, bringing the teams left on base total to 12. Seattle must figure it out in regards to fixing their left on base issue if they want to be taken seriously.
Seattle starts a new series following this Rangers loss, starting a three game home set against the Kansas City Royals. Kansas City comes into this matchup with a 5-6 record, having won four of the last six. To start the series, with a 6:40PM PST first pitch, Chris Flexen (0-2, 5.23ERA, 1.35WHIP in 10.1 innings pitched) takes the mound for Seattle. Brad Keller (0-1, 1.38ERA, 0.62WHIP in 13 innings pitched) gets the ball for the Royals.
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