Mariners: 3 takeaways from series loss versus Chicago White Sox

3) A different day – a different Ray:

Following Robbie Ray‘s successful debut on opening day, we wrote about the confidence he gave his teammates whenever he took the mound. Unfortunately for the Mariners, the situation was different on Wednesday night.

After being spotted an early 1-0 lead in the first, Ray capitulated in the second inning as he allowed four earned runs. For some context, he only once allowed four earned runs during one inning in 32 starts last season.

The 2021 AL Cy Young winner and his teammates managed to recover to a certain extent with two runs in the fifth inning, to pull to within 4-3. However, he then allowed back-to-back homers in the seventh, to end his night and give the White Sox an insurmountable lead.

Ray gave up 10 hits in 6.1 innings, which were the most of his nine-year Major League career. The six earned runs he allowed were his most since Aug. 10, 2020; he also walked two batters and struck out four.

The game was delayed for 47 minutes due to rain and there was some suggestion this negatively impacted the 30-year-old’s performance, with the downpour arguably at its worst during the second inning. However, White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel had to contend with the same conditions and performed just fine.

In any event, Ray is not the type of player to justify a poor outing. Speaking to the media afterwards, he said:

“It was a little muddy. It wasn’t the greatest conditions, but we’re professionals and I’m not one to make excuses. In a situation like that I’ve just got to bear down and focus and get outs.”

As much as it was a disaster for Ray early on, he should be commended for his mental fortitude and not entirely falling apart. As he said to the media:

“After that second inning, I told myself ‘get as deep as you can into this ballgame and just don’t crush the bullpen'”.

Ray faced the White Sox twice last year, recording a 1.35 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. As for this season, he will get an opportunity to bounce back when he starts in the home series against the Texas Rangers.

NEXT: NOTES, STATISTICS & QUOTE OF THE SERIES