> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Mariners Survive Brewers, Gain Ground in Wild Card Race - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/seattle-mariners-survive-milwaukee-brewers-gain-ground-wild-card-race/ - Published: 2026-08-20T08:33:02.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T06:10:37.000Z - Author: James McKedy - Tags: Game Day, Analysis, Cole Young, Josh Naylor, Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Andres Munoz, Jose Ferrer, Gabe Speier, Eduard Bazardo, Seranthony Dominguez, Brendan Donovan, Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone, Dan Wilson, Mariners \[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="5374"\] ![ Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert (36) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/2026-08-20t003142z_1228070868_mt1usatoday29621830_rtrmadp_3_mlb-seattle-mariners-at-milwaukee-brewers-jpg-format-original.jpg) Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert (36) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images \[/caption\] The Seattle Mariners came limping into Game 2 of their series against Milwaukee after getting pummeled 22-0 the night before, looking to exorcise some demons against the Brewers on Wednesday night. Facing former top prospect Dustin May, the Mariners got the bats going early, plating four runs in the first inning before ultimately winning 7-5 to bring back some much-needed good vibes. Current Cy Young candidate Logan Gilbert, emboldened by an early lead, battled through five innings before being pulled in the sixth, a decision that likely came two batters too late. As has been the case all season, Dan Wilson made another questionable decision that nearly cost his team the game. But his players persevered this time around, allowing Seattle to gain considerable ground in the wild card race. Did Seattle have a great offensive performance? Absolutely. Were they simultaneously incredibly lucky? Unequivocally. That’s a luxury not often enjoyed by this team as it tries to turn its season around. Here are some takeaways from a massive Mariners victory: ### **Early Offense is Enough** Brendan Donovan started the game by shattering his bat, but was able to scamper to first on an infield single. Randy Arozarena followed with a soft-hit looper into center field for another single. Continuing his hot-hitting ways, Dominic Canzone smacked a double into the gap at 103.6 mph, scoring both of his teammates. Later in the opening inning, Cole Young came to the plate and worked an impressive seven-pitch walk to put runners on the corners. Seeking to turn his season around, Cal Raleigh also worked a seven-pitch walk, giving Taylor Ward a chance to extend the lead with the bases loaded. Ward came through, tapping a ball at 73.7 mph that dropped into right field, scoring both Canzone and Young. Brewers catcher William Contreras also burned through both of his team's ABS challenges, putting Milwaukee at a huge disadvantage for the rest of the night. Knowing that four runs might not be enough, Seattle continued its scoring ways in the second. After batting around in the first, Donovan again led off the inning. He hit another single before Arozarena was hit by a fastball up and in on his hands, putting two on with nobody out. Continuing to mash, Canzone hit another single to load the bases again. Julio Rodriguez hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring the score to 5-0. Josh Naylor then swung at the first pitch, driving a double that hugged the right field line. This brought home two more runners and pushed the lead to an astounding 7-0. That ended up being all the offense that Seattle could muster. Thankfully for the them, that was all that they would need to overcome their National League foe. ### **Gritty “Walter” Performance** Putting together another outstanding year on the mound, Gilbert mowed down Brewers batters all night. “Walter” overcame an 11-pitch walk drawn by leadoff hitter Brice Turang to put a zero on the scoreboard in the first inning. Yet in the second, No. 8 hitter Joey Ortiz capitalized on a center-cut fastball to deposit one in the seats in left field, scoring teammate Christian Yelich as well. The one mistake would prove to be his only one, as the run he allowed later in the game wasn’t entirely his fault. His final line read five hits, four walks, three runs and five strikeouts. Despite a shaky box score command-wise, he still earned the win, padding his numbers in that regard as he pitched well enough to ensure there wouldn’t be any crazy comebacks by the Brew Crew this time around. ### **Elementary Manager Decision** Nursing a 7-2 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Mariners looked primed to take a key game on the road. Manager Dan Wilson seemed intent on letting the Brewers back into the game, however. Gilbert was at 86 pitches after five innings, and his command had obviously started to fail him. Instead of turning to his fresh bullpen, Wilson inexplicably continued to push his ace for no reason. If Seattle had burned through multiple relievers the night before, this decision might make some sense, but it was a blowout — a game so out of reach that shortstop Leo Rivas was pitching in the eighth inning. As he has all year, Wilson pushed one of his starters too much, with little rationale backing the decision, and it came back to bite him. Gilbert immediately walked two straight batters, laboring between every pitch. Throw in the risk of a potential injury, and it added another entry to the lengthy managerial rap sheet Wilson has accrued this season. ### **Bullpen Limits the Damage** When Seattle’s skipper did finally go to the bullpen, they bailed him out of a jam. Eduard Bazardo was put into the game with two runners on and nobody out. After allowing a hard-hit single, Bazardo had to get himself out of a bases-loaded jam. He limited the damage to one run, allowing Seattle to hold on to a 7-3 lead. José Ferrer came on in the seventh and was able to strike out two while just giving up one hit. In the eighth, things got interesting again. After coming over from the White Sox, Seranthony Domínguez has been feast or famine. Wednesday was no different as he only recorded two outs while allowing two runs and an inherited baserunner for the next relief arm. Thankfully for Domínguez, Gabe Speier was able to get a quick out to retire the side and send the game into the ninth inning while minimizing the potential damage. The closer, Andrez Muñoz was nails, striking out one for a flawless ninth inning, slamming the door shut on the winningest team in baseball for save No. 23 on the season. ### **Gaining Wild-Card Ground** Despite a middling 60-67 record, Seattle is still very much in the hunt for October baseball. On a day when the M’s won, they gained ground on several of their playoff competitors. The Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers all lost, allowing Mariners fans to regain some of their preseason hope for a pennant. ### **On Deck** Seattle will put control specialist George Kirby on the mound to face southpaw Robert Gasser for the rubber match of the series on Thursday. The M’s will then return home for an interleague showdown against the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.