By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In the rubber match of the series between the Chicago White Sox and our Seattle Mariners, the visiting White Sox proved to be the victors. Despite a multi-homer game by Eugenio Suarez and a solid outing through a few innings by Luis Castillo, things hit the fan in the top of the sixth. Several errors and lots of loud contact by Chicago gave them four runs, and a lead that the Mariners never regained. Despite the loss, Seattle still holds the second Wild card spot in the American League.
Curt Casali scored the Mariners first run of the game on a Julio Rodriguez RBI double (Photo by Bryan Saldana)
Castillo has a up then down outing
Seattle ace pitcher Luis Castillo had a very up and down outing against the White Sox in this rubber match. To begin the game, Castillo struck out seven batters to begin the game, the most to begin an outing in franchise history. Castillo continued to dispatch Chicago batters until about the fourth inning. An unfortunate defensive miscue where the Mariners couldn’t turn a double play became the first domino towards the loss, as Eloy Jimenez belted a two-run homer immediately after.
Castillo finished with a line of 5.2 innings pitched, five hits allowed, six runs allowed, but only three of them were earned runs. Looking to the bullpen, the Mariners would allow three more runs. None of those three would be earned, and that right there exactly shows how the defensive issues and mishaps played into the loss for Seattle.
Eugenio Suarez's two homer day was not enough for Seattle (Photo by Bryan Saldana)
Bats produce, but they can’t keep up with White Sox offense
I have been critical of this Mariners offense the past homestand and this current on, but in this game the bats showed up. The Mariners were able to plate six runs today, mostly behind the multi-homer game of Eugenio Suarez. Suarez hit a mammoth two-run blast to left field in the third inning, and a solo shot to right center in the seventh to tie the game up. Unfortunately, the big game offensively was overshadowed by the loss itself.
Seattle was able to play small ball and get runs outside of the long ball, which is a good sign. The main issue today for the Mariners was their defense, which is something that I will rarely say. Seattle, in several statistics, has the best defense in all of baseball. Going forward, getting offensive production similar to this will ensure that the Mariners win a playoff series, rather than simply end the drought.
Seby Zavala scores as a throw to home plate is too high (Photo by Bryan Saldana)
What it means
This loss is frustrating for a couple reasons, but results like this will take place over the course of a 162-game season. Obviously, it is unfortunate that a series loss such as this takes place in the month of September due to the playoff races. Thankfully, though, Seattle has been building enough of a lead over the Baltimore Orioles (the first team out of the Wild card race) to where the main worry isn’t making the playoffs. It’s what road this team will take once playoff time comes around. Barring some changes in the American League Central division or one of these next teams falling out, the Wild Card will likely consist of Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Toronto. The Mariners have played well on the road this year, so I am not hitting the panic button if they have to play away from home.
Quick notes
Luis Castillo’s seven strikeouts to begin the game sets a franchise record and ties an American League record, joining Joe Cowley for the White Sox (May 28, 1986) and Carlos Rodón for the White Sox (Sept. 30, 2016).
Eugenio Suárez is the first Seattle player to homer for his 1,000th career hit since Raúl Ibañez did it on Sept. 21, 2006, also against the White Sox.
What’s next?
Tomorrow, Thursday the 8th of September, the Mariners get a day off. Considering the length of Sunday’s game against Cleveland and the general lack of rest days, this will be a welcome pause for Seattle. After that, the Mariners continue this homestand against quality teams when they play the first of three against the defending champion Atlanta Braves. The first game of that series takes place on Friday, September 9th with a first pitch time of 6:40PM PST.
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