By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – To end their eleven game homestand, the Seattle Mariners would lose. The Mariners ended the homestand with a record of 3-8, ending with a 4-0 loss to the Angels. The Mariners now drop to a record of 29-39 and they sit at fourth in the American League West. There are serious issues that this ball club will need to address if wants to be playing meaning baseball in a few months.
The Mariners had a pregame discussion about Juneteenth, featuring former Mariners Ben McLemore and Harold Reynolds, current Mariner JP Crawford, and broadcaster Dave Sims. Former Seattle SuperSonics player Freddy Brown threw out the first pitch (Photos Liv Lyons)
“Offense” only puts together two hits
Seattle’s offense has been perhaps the main issue for this team all season. The offense will have a game here and there where they explode for upwards of five runs, but more often than not they falter. The Mariners are now 8-51 with the bases loaded this season, and even if you’re bad at math, you know that is bad. Seattle’s bats with runners in scoring position have been very quiet, and in spots where fans would normally be pumped, there feels like little reason to feel that excitement.
Whether it be the coaching staff or certain players failing to follow on career/solid years (See Jesse Winker, Adam Frazier), there needs to be something done. Even during this homestand, the Mariners best hitters of the season (Ty France, JP Crawford, and Julio Rodriguez) have all struggled. Failure to add a proven veteran bat in the offseason and betting on players to have repeat performances of last year continues to hurt Seattle.
Even rookie star Julio Rodriguez is in a slump (Photo Liv Lyons)
Mike Trout, or the boogeyman?
Michael Nelson Trout, short for Mike, has terrorized the Seattle Mariners for the entirety of his eleven-year career. In the 2009 draft, the Mariners passed on Trout and selected infielder Dustin Ackley instead. While 24 teams also passed on Trout, it seems like the center fielder always has an extra gear when he plays Seattle. Trout homered five times in this series, also hitting his 52nd career long ball against the Mariners. That 52nd homer ties Rafael Palmeiro for the most against Seattle in Angels franchise history. Mike Trout is the Mariners boogeyman.
Mike Trout has been a thorn in the Mariners side for years (Photo Liv Lyons)
Reflection
With the repeated failures that this team has had offensively, the Mariners need to have some leadership step up. There needs to be some form of accountability. This is a franchise that essentially guaranteed a playoff berth, from the marketing in the offseason to Mitch Haniger stating that the team would “End this f****** drought.” Fans have every right to be as frustrated as possible, because the promises made this offseason are a slap in the face. That slap in the face is because the proper action to follow up those promises was not taken.
Ty France broke his bat late in the game, and the larger part went into the stands (Photo Liv Lyons)
The Mariners will now head on a six-game road trip, facing the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels from June 21st through 26th. Seattle’s next homestand begins June 27th against the Baltimore Orioles for three games.
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