Mariners blast Twins in 5-0 bounce back win
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – Following two disappointing losses to the Red Sox and the Twins, Seattle was able to take game two of the Minnesota series. The offense was able to produce enough while starter Logan Gilbert was great through six innings. Corner infielders Eugenio Suarez and Ty France both hit two-run homers in the game. The win would be Seattle’s 28th on the season and second of the homestand.
Eugenio Suarez celebrates as he rounds the base paths (Photo Henry Wei)
Everyone likes homers
Seattle’s offensive inconsistency has been an issue for them this season, and issues surrounding the offense have been plenty. With that being said, getting runners on base and then sending the ball over the outfield wall can heal lots of wounds. The Mariners did just that, and in back-to-back innings.
In the bottom of the fourth, with Julio Rodriguez on second after his double, Eugenio Suarez launched a 3-1 pitch right below the “Edgar’s Cantina” sign in left field. The homer broke the scoreless tie and gave Seattle some runs after they had been scoreless for twelve straight innings. In the bottom of the fifth, with Dylan Moore on second after he had stolen the base, Ty France muscled a big blast with two outs into the Twins bullpen. It would be his tenth homer of the season, and Seattle had officially gotten to Minnesota starter Joe Ryan.
Ty France prepares to take a swing (Photo Henry Wei)
Logan’s world
Mariners starter Logan Gilbert has been excellent for the large majority of the season, and he was up to the task in this game. Outside of a mid-May slump, the sophomore pitcher has given his team the opportunity to win the game nearly every outing, and today was no different. Gilbert went six frames, allowing only four hits, no runs and giving up only one walk while striking out six.
Gilbert’s earned run average drops to 2.22 on the season, and his record jumps to 7-2. Not to be too harsh to Jarred Kelenic, the player Gilbert was called up with back in 2021, but Gilbert has far blown Kelenic out of the water so far in terms of production. How far-fetched would it be to float the idea of a potential Cy Young award for Gilbert? It’s still early, but he is having a great start to his second year in the big leagues.
Logan Gilbert had a stellar six innings (Photo Henry Wei)
With the win, Seattle gives themselves another opportunity at winning a series, just like the Boston set. Following that frustrating series loss to the Red Sox, Seattle really cannot afford to keep letting series wins slip out of their hands. Tomorrow’s contest, a Wednesday matinee game at T-Mobile Park, is a proving ground to get back on track and set the table for the rest of the homestand. It won’t be an easy contest for Seattle, as they will be facing Twins pitcher Sonny Gray. The Mariners will have Marco Gonzales on the mound to duel him, with a first pitch time of 1:10PM PST.