Mariners: More concerns in series loss to Texas Rangers

2) Crawford adds offense to his stellar defense

J.P. Crawford is already renowned for his defense, which led to receiving a Gold Glove Award last year. He has continued in a similar vein this season, highlighted by leading all shortstops in putouts and being first overall in the Majors for assists.

There was optimism Crawford’s offense could be headed in the same direction, after a career-best .259 batting average last season. However, he struggled with his bat during spring training and the early stages of the 2021 campaign.

The 26-year-old kept working hard though, making some adjustments to find his grove and is now one of the Mariners’ more reliable hitters. As a result, after spending the season mostly in (and around) the No. 9 spot, he was moved to the No. 5 spot for the start of the Rangers series.

The positive returns were instant, as Crawford went a season-high 3-for-3 on Friday night, while also reaching base a fourth time after being hit by a pitch. It represented the ninth time in his Major League career with three or more hits, while matching a career-high by safely reaching base four times in a game.

The Long Beach, California’s native’s most important hit came in the fourth inning, when Seattle was losing 4-2. He picked a good time to hit his first home run of the season, with the two-run bomb tying the game at 4-4 and spurring the M’s on to an eventual win.

While the Mariners lost the remaining two games of the series, Crawford continued to produce on an individual level with another three hits and two RBI. Two of the hits came on Sunday, with him occupying the leadoff sport for the first time this season.

The series was also significant for Crawford reaching two milestones, with his 200th hit and 100th RBI in the Majors. In addition, he maintained his position of the best batting average on the team (.270).

The 2013 first round draft pick has now reached base safely in 25 of his last 28 games. He was been particularly impressive on his travels, with hits in 15 of 18 away games this season and reaching base safely in 17 straight.

Crawford was asked by the media what he had done to improve his hitting after his early struggles. Giving his unique take on the process, he said:

“You try to mess with some stuff, trying to feel a certain way to get to pitches better. I wasn’t getting there and had to fix something up … working with [Jarret DeHart and Tim Laker], they got me right.

“(I’m) going to continue to put in the effort each day and put together good (at bats) each day and whatever the results that come in, they come. But we’re putting in the work every day so no matter what happens in the game, you all have to tip you cap because we’re out there working our ass off.”

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