Mariners no longer control fate after 8-3 loss to Astros

Tempers get flared, but ultimately the Mariners don’t have enough fight as they lose Wednesday’s game and the series versus the Astros.

The Mariners entered Wednesday’s rubber match in confident mood, after beating the Astros 6-2 a night earlier. They controlled their own fate, knowing that winning out the regular season would clinch the AL West.

In addition, the Mariners had played well versus the Astros this season after so many years of struggling, with a 9-3 record. However, when it mattered most they couldn’t come through, as the visitors showed why they’re the reigning World Series champions.

Wednesday’s 8-3 loss was undoubtedly devastating, as it put the Mariners’ playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. As of Thursday morning they sit 1.5 games behind the Astros for the final AL wild card spot, with just four to play.

Controversial flashpoint

The loss also featured a heated moment in the bottom of the sixth, after Astros reliever Hector Neris struck out Julio Rodríguez to end the inning. Neris started shouting at Rodríguez and walking towards him, apparently also using a derogatory phrase in Spanish.

This caused the benches to clear, although thankfully it didn’t become physical. However, any hope the incident would motivate the Mariners to put up a fight in terms of the scoreline came to nothing.

Instead it was the Astros who were inspired, as they scored three runs in the next inning, to break open what had been a tight 4-3 ball game. Another run in the eighth made it 8-3 to the visitors and there was no coming back for the Mariners.

Mariners manager Scott Servais lamented the lack of scoring on the night. Speaking postgame, he said:

“We did a lot of good things to create opportunities offensively, but ultimately you’ve got to cash in. We were unable to do that tonight.”

J-Rod just can’t get going

Highlighting the Mariners’ struggles was Rodríguez who, including his contentious at-bat in the bottom of the sixth, went 0-for-4 on the night. He struck out all four times at the plate, highlighting a poor series overall for him as he failed to record a single hit.

Servais noted the two-time All-Star struggled as a result of almost trying too hard. He said:

“He wants to be the guy to kind of get the big hit and get us over the hump. When you try too hard, you get out ahead of yourself. You don’t stay in the moment. … Things can get away from you.”

As per Servais’ comment about missed opportunities, the Mariners went just 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position. They totaled eight hits and the aforementioned three runs, while leaving 13 base runners stranded.

Eugenio Suárez discussed the Mariners’ inability to cash in on their scoring changes. He said:

“When you create situations and you don’t score, obviously, it’s something that we’ve got to be better (at). If we want to win games, we’ve got to do a better job in those situations.”

Millers ends season on a low point

Mind you, scoring wasn’t the only issue on the night, with the pitchers having their own challenges. Bryce Miller specifically was decent enough through three innings, but fell apart during the fourth.

The Astros hit two home runs off Miller in the top of the fourth, to turn a 1-0 Mariners lead into a 4-1 deficit. While the home side pulled to within 4-3 in the bottom of the inning, their starter’s night was over.

Miller had been fantastic in two previous starts versus his childhood ball club, allowing just four combined hits and no runs. It’s unfortunate for the Mariners he couldn’t repeat the trick, on a night when it was needed most.

The 25-year-old was likely seeing his final start of the year. He finished his outing allowing six hits, a walk and the four runs in 4.0 innings, striking out four in the process.

Overall though, it’s been a promising rookie season for Miller. In 25 starts, he produced a 8-7 record, 4.32 ERA, 3.98 FIP and 1.14 WHIP.

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Mariners down but not out

Servais talked about the mood of the players following the critical loss. He said:

“They’re frustrated and disappointed. We’ve had an awesome year to put ourselves in this position, but when you get this close, you want to keep it going.”

The Mariners do hold tie-breakers over both the Astros and Blue Jays if they finish level with either. However, they have a tough task to even get to that scenario as things stand.

Yes there’s still everything to play for, but now the Mariners no longer have control after Wednesday’s loss. As Servais said:

“Our season is not over, we just need help right now. It’s unfortunate, because just a few days ago we did control our own destiny.”

The Mariners’ precarious position is highlighted by FanGraphs giving them just a 26.5 percent chance of making the playoffs with four games left. In reality, they need to at least win the Rangers series if not sweep it, easier said than done versus a team which is 8-1 against them this season.

Where do the Mariners go from here? Do you have faith they will still make the playoffs, or are they now going to miss out? Let us know in the comments section below.