By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Mariners would fail to ride the high emotions of yesterday's thrilling walk off win, losing the series to the Boston Red Sox. The Mariners would only record one hit in the game, something that is inexcusable for a team trying to win any game, let alone push for a playoff spot. Seattle starts their eleven game homestand off with a 1-2 record.
Seattle SuperSonics legend Shawn Kemp threw out the ceremonial first pitch (Photo BirdzEyeView)
Bats go quiet, too quiet
It has been said before, but the Mariners did not acquire enough firepower in the offseason. Personally, I would have at least hoped to add another bat. Seattle did not, and their three position player additions have mostly disappointed so far. Jesse Winker, Eugenio Suarez, and Adam Frazier have had flashes of the offense that they can make, but none of them have been consistent enough. Seattle’s best hitter (and probably best player), Ty France, was quiet today, recording no hits and walking once.
Another fact that makes this loss more frustrating is that today, Boston had a bullpen day. A day that most teams dread, it was the prime opportunity for the Mariners to jump on Boston’s pitching. They failed to do so, and the only Seattle hit in the game came from catcher Luis Torrens, hitting in the nine hole, in the fifth inning.
Mariners shortstop JP Crawford swings at a pitch (Photo BirdzEyeView)
Ray day wasted
Mariners starter Robbie Ray has had a tough start to his time in Seattle. Often, he will have solid starts, but one bad inning will make his outings look poor. Today’s performance from the 2021 AL Cy Young award winner was exactly what Seattle hoped for when they signed Ray, as he threw seven scoreless innings, allowed only three hits, only walked one, and strukc out four. It was a great outing, and it was wasted by quite literally no run support.
Ray was able to work out of the jams that he did face, most specifically in the top of the seventh with men on the corners. Ray was able to get Seattle native Bobby Dalbec to ground into a double play, keeping the game scoreless. Paul Sewald would come in to the game to relieve Ray the next inning, and he would give up a two-run bomb.
Robbie Ray pitched seven scoreless innings (Photo BirdzEyeView)
Starting the homestand on the wrong foot
This long homestand is very critical for the Mariners, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it very well could have a big impact on their season going forward. The homestand started with this series against the last wildcard team (Boston), now Seattle faces AL Central leading Minnesota, followed by a five-game series with the second-best team in the division, the Angels.
Things do not get easier for Seattle, and the team will need to seriously address some things (such as hitting) going forward, because a homestand like this will be reflected on in the months of September and October. Get ahead of things now, don’t hope for another miracle run to end the year.
Jesse Winker looks back after a strikeout looking (Photo BirdzEyeView)
Quick notes
Eugenio Suarez 13 game streak of reaching base safely ends, as he goes 0-4 today with two strikeouts.
Despite their offensive inconsistencies, the Mariners have the fifth highest wRC+ in all of baseball, at 112.
A result like this, especially to lose the series, can only be described as frustrating. The Mariners face a quick turnaround, as tomorrow they start a series against the American League Central leading Minnesota Twins. Chris Archer (1-2 record, 3.65ERA) will get the start for the Twins tomorrow, while it’s Chris Flexen (2-7 record, 4.35ERA) getting the start for Seattle. First pitch is at 7:10PM PST.
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