Mariners lose series finale to Astros 3-2 in extra innings

The Mariners hold their own versus the Astros on Sunday afternoon thanks to strong pitching, but the offense comes up short as they lose in extra innings.

For those saying the Mariners need more bats ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Astros could be perceived as another example of why. The M’s lost in extra innings, after only managing to conjure four hits on the afternoon.

However, Sunday’s game is probably an unfair exhibit to use, when decrying the lack of offense. For a start, the Mariners were without Julio Rodriguez (10-day injured list with a wrist injury) and Ty France (sore wrist), who are widely regarded as their two best hitters.

Seattle was also without Dylan Moore (10-day injured list with back spasms) and Sam Haggerty (forehead). Both picked up their injuries the day before, in the thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 win over Houston.

On top of all this, the Mariners are still without Mitch Haniger, who led the ball club last year in homers, slugging percentage and runs. To say they were shorthanded offensively, would be a significant understatement.

Any ball club would struggle to produce many hits, when missing so many bats in the lineup. Thanks to the pitching, however, the Mariners still more than held their own on Sunday, against one of the best ball clubs in the Majors.

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George Kirby got the start and after allowing two runs in the opening inning, he shut the Astros down. However, due to being placed on a pitch count of up to 80 on the day, he only stayed in for four innings.

Regardless, in that time Kirby allowed just three hits, the aforementioned two runs and only the one walk, while striking out seven. He has now given up two or fewer runs in his last four starts, recording a 2.24 ERA and 24 strikeouts during that span.

Of the 74 pitches the 24-year-old threw, 31 came in the bottom of the first. Given how overworked the bullpen has been of late, things were looking bad before he composed himself to last three more innings.

Kirby discussed how he was able to recover after a rough opening inning. Speaking to the media, he said:

“I just collected myself, breath in the dugout, just try and calm down. It was hot, so I was a little tired, but I just tried the best I could to keep the team in the game … I knew I was on a limit, but I didn’t know what it was. I was just trying to go as long as I could with what I had.”

After Kirby left the game, the bullpen stepped up in magnificent fashion. Penn Murfee, Matt Brash, Paul Sewald and Erik Swanson combined to allow just two hits, one walk and no earned runs, to help take the game to extra innings.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, the game ended in the bottom of the tenth. Brennan Bernardino — who was making his Major League debut — walked a batter and subsequently gave up a walk-off single to Yordan Alvarez.

It would be unfair to place much blame on Bernardino though, as in reality it was the offense which cost Seattle on the day. The only players who deserved any real credit were Adam Frazier with two hits and Jesse Winker, who hit a two-run homer in the eighth to tie the score at 2-2.

Afterwards, manger Scott Servais did mention the lack of offense, but preferred to focus on how hard his players battled. He said:

“Our guys play with a lot of grit … We don’t quit no matter who we’re playing or what the situation is, which is a great, great sign for the club. Both teams were tired, you could see it out there as the game got going. Last night was kind of a long, back-and-forth game, (but) you’ve got to keep grinding, you’ve got to keep going.”

The Mariners are currently on a run of playing 13 consecutive days. No doubt, they can’t wait for an off-day, especially with all the injuries to kep players and how overworked the bullpen has been of late.

Before this however, the Mariners must first face a trip to New York for three games versus the potent Yankees. It’s going to be a tough series for the M’s, but if nothing else, at least you know they will fight every inch of the way and leave it all out on the field.

How confident are you in the Mariners’ bats moving forward? More specifically, do you believe they have enough offense to compliment the pitching and qualify for the postseason? Let us know in the comments section below.