Four Runs Still Out of Reach as Mariners Fall 4-3 to Guardians
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Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) singles in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images [/caption]
The Seattle Mariners continue to eye franchise history - for the wrong reasons - as they tied the team record with 13 games in a row while scoring three or fewer runs in a 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday. Holding onto a half-game lead in the middling American League West, the Mariners need to decide if they want to build on last year's success or drift sheepishly back into mediocrity.
Even the most optimistic Seattle fans know the phrase “Same old Mariners.” It encompasses the feelings of a downtrodden fanbase that has only made the playoffs six times in their 50 years of existence. Despite having the greatest season in team history last year by reaching Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, most fans are already ready to chalk it up as a fluke given their team’s struggles this year.
The roster is not devoid of talent; quite the opposite actually. FanGraphs Playoff Odds still gives the M’s an 80.3% chance of making the postseason. The lineup still needs to wake up though, as this roster has shown that it cannot sleepwalk its way to winning the division.
The trade deadline is approaching. Changes need to be made. What can this SoDo squad do to get back on track? Here are some thoughts after another frustrating one-run loss:
The Streak
Coming into Saturday’s game, the M’s had gone 12 consecutive games scoring three runs or fewer. Seemingly content to maintain this standard, the players decided to wait until the eighth inning to score on Saturday. Their superstar led off the next-to-last inning hunting a pitch he could deposit over the fence.
Julio Rodriguez got the fastball he was looking for as it struck him in the hand, a scary sight for M’s fans. He immediately doubled over in pain, requiring trainers to come out and take a look at him. Dominic Canzone was able to single up the middle shortly thereafter, setting up Randy Arozararena for the biggest at-bat of the game.
The electric left fielder came through, rocketing a ball over the wall in center field for a three-run home run, cutting the eighth inning deficit to one run. Josh Naylor then deposited a ball into left field for a single, allowing power threat Cal Raleigh a chance to change the game with one swing of his bat.
Unfortunately, Raleigh flew out to left fielder Steven Kwan and Luke Raley grounded out, seemingly ending the comeback effort. Cole Young decided to make it interesting by singling, pushing Naylor to second base. But young phenom Colt Emerson could not turn on his late-game heroics yet again as he struck out to end the rally.
This game was a microcosm of the season so far. Flashing the ability to beat a good team, but coming up just short in the end without enough offense early. Hitters having big moments, but too few and far between and coming far too late.
Lineup Changes Become a Must
Dan Wilson attempted to reignite his hitters with some batting order changes. Canzone moved up to third in the lineup, the highest he has ever batted while wearing a Mariner uniform. He smashed a double to the opposite field in his first at-bat but came up limping as he trotted into second base. A worrisome sight for coaches and fans alike.
While likely taking too long to shake up the lineup, it is commendable that the skipper is willing to adjust midseason. Moving Cal Raleigh down to sixth will hopefully remove some pressure on the superstar catcher and lead to a return to his MVP form from last year.
Tinkering with the lineup might help, but personnel changes are in order too. Rob Refsnyder has seemingly forgotten how to play baseball. Reigniting fans’ claims that incoming hitters are “cursed” when trading their old uniforms in for the Northwest Green, Refsnyder is slashing a .133/.203/.219 culminating in an on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentage of .422. Yikes.
Fellow right-handed platoon bat Victor Robles is proving to be no better, as he is carrying a .230/.266/.262 slash line that adds up to an almost comical .528 OPS. Robles at least provides some baserunning and defensive value, but not enough to warrant major league at-bats given his horrid offensive numbers right now.
The Mariners do not have a double-digit division lead to justify waiting for some players to turn their seasons around, and at least in the case of Refsynder, it may be time to just eat sunken costs, as he has had plenty of time to figure things out and hasn’t been able to do so. The clock might even be ticking for Robles, though missing extended time with an injury earlier may give him more of a grace period.
The trade deadline is approaching. August 3 is about five weeks away. President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto needs to be manning the phones and acquire at least one bat, if not more. Banking on utility man Brendon Donovan’s return is not enough by itself. Players with a track record of hitting this year need to be thrust into Seattle’s lineup if they want to make noise again in October.
Pitching Decisions Remain in Flux
Wilson announced before the game that they would be foregoing the infamous “piggyback” rotation idea Saturday. Instead of giving Logan Gilbert a designated five innings, then bringing in Emerson Hancock to finish off the game, Gilbert will be able to pitch as long as he is performing.
The lanky righty has been dealing as of late, yet baseball is a game of oddities. Despite racking up seven strikeouts across seven innings, and only seven hits, the Mariners’ ace gave up four earned runs. No home runs were allowed, with only five singles and two doubles shown on the box score.
One such double seemed to mock Gilbert when opposing shortstop Brayan Rocchio came up to bat. Rocchio attempted to check his swing, but failed to, thus making contact with a pitch well off the plate that snuck into the outfield for a stand-up two-bagger. This “mis-hit,” combined with four other soft-hit singles, turned an otherwise effective outing into an undeserved loss.
The Mariners have six quality starters in their rotation, and another top prospect knocking on the door in Kade Anderson. The LSU product will likely force his way onto the big league roster sooner rather than later. Decisions will need to be made soon for the stretch run.
Option one includes sending two starters to the bullpen and deciding which five deserve to remain on the bump to begin a game. That would likely result in Luis Castillo and Kade Anderson pitching in relief.
The second option is trading one or two starters for a bat or traditional bullpen arm, or both. Trading Castillo could also free up some much-needed salary as he is earning just over $24 million this year, but the return may not be worth it with the other team having to eat that salary.
Whichever the front office decides, it needs to be soon. This team is too good on paper to justify inaction when they could be a trade or two away from making the franchise’s first-ever World Series, and they clearly need a shakeup.
On Deck
Seattle finishes off its road trip Sunday in Cleveland, hoping to steal the rubber match of the series by putting former top draft pick Emerson Hancock on the mound. The Mariners then return home for a six-game homestand featuring their division rival Los Angeles Angels and playoff rival Toronto Blue Jays.
