Mariners: Gilbert rebounds as 7-0 win secures Detroit series sweep

The offense is once more productive, as Logan Gilbert has a strong start to help the Mariners clinch a three-game sweep over the Tigers.

The Mariners beat the Tigers 7-0 on Thursday afternoon, to clinch their ninth series sweep of the season. It makes a welcome change from recent disappointments versus the Rangers, Athletics and Nationals.

For the third straight day Seattle had good production from the bats, as they swept the Tigers in Detroit for the first time since 2012. Prior to the series, they didn’t scor more than four runs in eight consecutive games.

Mariners offense steps up

Against the Tigers as a whole, the success of the offense can be best highlighted by going a collective 8-for-25 with runners in scoring position. Yes, the productivity has come against a hapless opponent, but still sorely needed.

The offense did the majority of their damage in the first four innings, to take an unassailable 6-0 lead. Eugenio Suarez got things going in the first with an RBI single, while Julio Rodriguez and Ty France hit back-to-back solo blasts in the third.

The game went beyond doubt an inning later, as Curt Casali hit a two-run double and a rejuvenated France added an RBI single. Seattle scored one more run in the top of the ninth, courtesy of Abraham Toro being walked in a bases-loaded situation.

Aside from the offense generally and France specifically, Logan Gilbert also enjoyed a bounce-back performance. In his previous nine starts, he had a 5.26 ERA and .858 OPS.

A welcome return to previous dominance

Gilbert gave up just two hits and no earned runs in six standout innings on Thursday. The two allowed hits equaled a season low, from way back in April.

The righty also equaled his career-high of nine strikeouts, while walking just one batter. In total he threw 84 pitches, 57 of which went for strikes.

A key to Gilbert’s dominance in Detroit was getting ahead early in the count. Of the 21 batters he faced, he threw 18 first-pitch strikes.

The 25-year-old’s key weapons on the day were a fastball which regularly reached the high 90s and an improved slider. Speaking to the media afterwards about his slider, he said:

“It felt pretty good. I think it got better as the game went on. I was just kind of feeling it out and then we started going to it a lot more, probably the second or third time through the order. I felt like it was pretty sharp today; good movement and I was just trying to get in the zone and expand when I needed to … I made a slight tweak (to it), but it was really just the feel coming out of my hand and getting it out in front. That’s where the action comes from, so that part felt pretty good.”

When Gilbert left, the bullpen yet again — albeit with less pressure than usual — kept up their end of the bargain. Matt Brash, Matthew Boyd and Penn Murfee combined to allow just two hits and no walks or runs.

A special day for Boyd

For Boyd specifically, his outing in the eighth inning was particularly noteworthy for a number of reasons. For a start, it was his first appearance for the Mariners since arriving from the Giants at the trade deadline.

It was also the Mercer Island, Washington native’s first action since Sept. 5th last year. He had not pitched previously this season, after undergoing forearm flexor tendon surgery and being placed on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow strain.

The final reason the outing was special, was because it came against the team Boyd has spent the majority of his Major League career with. He played for the Tigers between 2015-21.

Boyd was asked afterwards what the experience was like. He said:

“Before the outing your heart’s racing, especially in the bullpen. It’s the anticipation, understanding where the game’s going, when you might go in. So the anticipation (as a former starter) is new, but then also afterwards when it just kind of hits. I’m really grateful for this team. Those guys made it really special for me. It’s been a cool couple of days (in Detroit) and it was a long time coming.”

While happy with the series sweep, manager Scott Servais was calm and realistic about the outcome. He said:

“We were very businesslike and came in here and did what we needed to do. It was a really good series. Obviously Detroit’s having a rough season, but you’ve got to come in here, and it doesn’t matter who you play at this time of year, you’ve got to take care of business. I thought that’s what our guys did.”

As a result of the win, the Mariners are now a season-high 15 games above .500 and maintain the second wild card spot in the AL. Next up comes a challenging series in Cleveland, with Luis Castillo taking the mound on Friday night.

The series in Cleveland will undoubtedly be more difficult for the Mariners. How many of the three games do you predict they will win? Let us know in the comments section below.