By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Mariners lost their sixth straight game, losing 8-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays. Seattle’s offensive struggles continued, including leaving the bases loaded with just one out. The Rays slowly added offense, as second baseman Brandon Lowe had two solo homers in this game. The majority of the damage would come in the top of the 8th, highlighted by right fielder Manuel Margot’s grand slam. It was the ninth loss in Seattle’s last eleven games played.
First base coach Kristopher Negrón stands in the Mariners dugout (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Mariner's failures with runners in scoring position continue
A problem for Seattle that has been consistent in this early season, is the team's inability to drive in runners in scoring position. In this loss, the Mariners left five men on base, but one particular half inning defines this games struggles. In the bottom of the third inning, Seattle had an opportunity to really get the game going and jump on Rays starter Drew Rasmussen. The bases were loaded with only one out, Ty France and JP Crawford up to bat next, two of the team's best bats. France weakly flew out to right field, and JP grounded out. What makes this half inning even worse is that Crawford got hurt on the play, and he was pulled from the game with back spasms.
Young Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez hit a triple, and scored the teams first run. (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Marco simply can’t get in rhythm
Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales has had issues with control for a decent amount of his career, notably in the first half of last season before really turning it around in the second half. This season, in his five starts, Marco has really only had one quality start. That start came in Seattle’s 11-1 home opening win over the Astros where Gonzales went 7 innings, only giving up one run on four hits. Tonight, similar to his three other real starts (only pitching a third of an inning in his April 27th start, coming out of the game with an injury), Marco could not stay ahead in counts or shut guys down. While his walk total only hit four, his pitch count in the fourth inning had already reached 70+, and once again control was an issue for Gonzales. One of the many issues for Seattle this season has been their rotation outside of Ray, Gilbert, and Flexen. If Marco can tune himself up, part of the Mariners’ troubles will be resolved.
What's next for Seattle?
Seattle will look to avoid the sweep with their Sunday, May 8th matchup against the Rays with a 1:10PM PST start time. Following the series loss, the Mariners have a series record of three winning series, five losing, and one series tie. As mentioned, if Seattle wants to be a playoff ballclub, they need to win series. With that being said, you need to at least salvage this next game. Top pitching prospect George Kirby, who was called up from AA Arkansas today, will be on the mound for the Mariners. In his major league debut, Kirby will take the mound across from Tampa Bays Ryan Yarbrough.
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