Mariners: More concerns in series loss to Texas Rangers

1) Sheffield’s hot and cold form continues

Justus Sheffield has been the very definition of inconsistent this season for the Mariners. Following Sunday’s outing, he has now had three excellent performances and three poor games in six starts.

Further, the performances have had a direct influence on the final outcome, with Seattle going 3-3 in the six games in question. For Sheffield specifically, he now has a record of 2-3 following Sunday’s 10-2 loss.

In fairness to the 24-year-old, he wasn’t helped by his teammates during the series finale in Texas. Poor play by the defense lead to three errors and two unearned runs.

Regardless, Sheffield still received the majority of the criticism after allowing 10 hits, seven runs (five earned) and five walks in 5.0 innings. And yet it was all looking so promising as he took the mound for what would prove to be his final inning of the day.

The Mariners had a 2-1 lead entering the bottom of the fifth, with the Tullahoma, Tennessee native having thrown just 50 pitches. While his slider was letting him down, his other pitches were picking up the slack and he was still getting ahead consistently in his counts.

Unfortunately for Sheffield and the ball club, his execution let him down spectacularly in the fifth. Charlie Cluberson hit a home run to tie the game with the first pitch he faced, and this proceeded to open the floodgates.

Texas would go on to hit six runs in the inning to take a 7-2 lead, with Sheffield unable to record a single out. Seattle had no choice but to make a change, resulting in his shortest outing since his first start of the season.

In this respect, it must be noted the southpaw has only twice managed to reach the preferred minimum of six innings this year. Certainly, this is something he will need to improve as the year progresses.

Further, Sheffield needs to work on his strikeout rate, which is a lowly 19.2 percent following Sunday’s start. On the day, he only generated nine swinging strikes.

Sheffield acknowledged afterwards that he failed to capitalize enough when getting ahead in the count, specifically during the fifth. Speaking to the media, he said:

“I felt like I just didn’t make some pitches when I was ahead. I left some pitches up, that obviously they took advantage of. I can’t do that. Big league hitters, they’re going to hit that pitch, especially left up over the plate.”

There is little doubt of Sheffield’s talent, as evidenced by allowing just two hits and no runs in his previous outing against the Angeles. Without more consistency however, he will struggle to reach his full potential.

NEXT: OTHER NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS