Mariners get swept by Astros in 8-5 loss
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – In a disappointing end to the weekend, the Seattle Mariners lost the series finale against the Astros, 8-5, getting swept. Mariners ace Robbie Ray, who had been on a strong run of play over the last month or so, was attacked immediately by Houston. Astros number one and two hitters Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena both homered to begin the game, and it was all downhill from there. Despite the three-game sweep, our Mariners do remain in a Wild card spot for the moment. After all, it is still July and there is a ton of baseball yet to be played.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett threw out the first pitch (Photo by Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Ray Day goes poorly for Seattle
Seattle starter Robbie Ray was bad on Sunday for the Mariners, only pitching three innings. Ray gave up six earned runs on ten hits in those three innings, immediately digging his team a hole that they would never be able to climb out of. The bad outing would tie the most runs that Ray has given up as Mariner, and be the fewest innings he has gone into a game since 2019.
The last time that the two teams met in Houston and Ray was pitching, a mound visit seemed to flick a switch for the 2021 AL Cy Young award winner. Ray had been spectacular from that point (June 6th) until this game, a stretch bookended by outings against Houston. The Astros were able to get all but one of their runs off of hits on Rays off speed pitches. Ray will need to watch this brutal game over and analyze where he went wrong against a talented Astros lineup.
Robbie Ray had a poor outing for the Mariners (Photo by Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Offense comes too late, can’t overcome big Houston lead
The Mariners offense had been relatively stagnant the first two games of the three-game series, but found a way to wake up from their slumber a bit on Sunday. A triple from Sam Haggerty in the bottom of the seventh inning scored two, getting the Mariners on the board. JP Crawford would follow up Haggerty’s triple with a double, scoring him. All of the sudden, Seattle had cut the Houston deficit in half.
The Astros responded to the Mariners comeback attempt, with a two-RBI base hit of their own, as catcher Martin Maldonado singled, driving in two. Former Astro Abraham Toro would homer to right field to bring the ballgame back within three runs in the bottom of the 8th, but Seattle failed to go any further than that. If you take Rays outing off the board, Seattle has a chance to be heavily in this game.
Ty France jogs to first base (Photo by Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Don’t overreact
At the end of the day, it is still July. The Mariners are playing meaningful baseball, with one of the youngest clubs in all of baseball. Seattle is without two-star outfielders, one that just participated in the home run derby and who leads the team in WAR. The Mariners are still currently in a wildcard spot, and they play a host of teams that, for lack of better terminology, are not good. Tough tests approach as a rematch of the Astros takes place immediately after this upcoming Rangers series, and two series against the New York Yankees. All things considered, this team has more positives than negatives so far this season, and there is plenty of baseball left to play.
Manager Scott Servais looks on from the dugout (Photo by Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
Quick notes
Left fielder Jesse Winker left the game with a sprained right ankle. Manager Scott Servais is hoping that he can avoid an IL stint.
Julio Rodriguez is expected to join the team tomorrow for game one against the Texas Rangers
Despite the three-game losing streak, the Mariners still have the best record in baseball over the past 17 games.
There is hope that Julio Rodriguez returns to the lineup tomorrow (Photo by Birdzeyeviewvisuals)
What’s next?
Tomorrow, the Mariners start a three-game series against the Texas Rangers. Seattle will look to bounce back and start a new winning streak, as Chris Flexen takes the mound. Flexen will duel Glenn Otto, who allowed three earned runs in six innings in his last outing against the Mariners. First pitch is at 7:10PM PST tomorrow inside of T-Mobile Park.