Mariners avoid Royals sweep with 6-5 win in extra innings

The Mariners withstand a late rally from the Royals in the series finale, scoring three runs in the 10th to leave Kansas City with a win.

As has often been the case with the Seattle Mariners throughout their existence, they have a habit of making life difficult for themselves. Two of the most recent examples of this came in the three-game series versus the Kansas City Royals.

First, there was the soul destroying walk-off 10-9 loss on Friday night, which at one point the Mariners were leading 8-0 and seemingly cruising to victory. This was followed on Sunday afternoon, by giving up a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings.

Then, after putting up another three runs in the top of the 10th the Mariners seemed set to blow this lead as well, as the Royals responded with two of their own in the bottom of the inning. This time however, the visitors managed to finally slam the door shut and leave town with a 6-5 win that helped them avoid the sweep.

Mariners manager Scott Servais was certainly relieved to get something out of the trip to Kansas City. Speaking to the media postgame, he said:

“It was wild like they always are here in Kansas City. Ton of credit to our guys. This is a tough place for us to figure out how to win a ballgame. We’ve had leads here, a lot of leads the last few years; the Royals are just pesky as hell.”

The winning cushion came courtesy of Cal Raleigh, who extended the lead to 6-3 with his two-RBI single. Hunter Renfroe’s two-run homer caused panic with no outs in the bottom of the 10th, but the bullpen eventually managed to pull through and seal the deal.

George Kirby answers the call

The game had started ideally for the Mariners, with J.P. Crawford hitting a lead-off blast in the top of the first. Then, the visitors were happy to find that George Kirby was zoned in and ready to go.

Kirby will more than likely eventually become the Mariners’ undoubted staff ace. However, he will be the first to admit he hasn’t been consistent enough so far this season.

As a result of five starts where the 26-year-old has given up a combined 27 earned runs, he entered Sunday with a 4.05 ERA. This projected to convincingly be the highest of his three seasons in the Majors.

Fortunately for everyone concerned in the organisation, Kirby was tremendous against the Royals. He matched his season high of 7.0 innings, as he gave up just five hits, no walks and one earned run, while striking out four.

Postgame, the righty provided some insight into his approach on the day. He said:

“They’re aggressive. From the fourth through the sixth, they were swinging at everything. You’ve got to really try to be precise with the slider. So I really tried to focus on location. You have to get to a spot and execute it. You can’t let your stuff leak into the middle (of the strike zone).”

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A memorable Mariners debut

Tyler Locklear made an excellent impression on his Major League debut, giving the Mariners a 2-1 lead in the top of the seventh with a RBI double. Then pinch-hitter Josh Rojas hit a RBI single in the same inning, to make it 3-1.

Locklear was understandably happy to make an immediate impact for the Mariners, especially with family in attendance. Speaking afterwards to the media, he said:

“I thought (the double) was going to hang up a little bit. (I’m) just glad that ball got down and we got a run out of it.”

The Mariners seemed set to get the win, but would have to wait a while longer after MJ Melendez’s two-run bomb in the bottom of the ninth with only one out remaining. As a result, Mike Baumann recorded his second blow save of the 2024 season.

Ultimately though the Mariners were able to come through, with Julio Rodriguez responsible for their other run in the top of the 10th. Servais said:

“Credit to our guys, when you give up the lead like that, the first thing is to feel sorry for yourself, (but) you can’t do that. You’ve got to go out, grind and figure out a way to create another rally and we did.”

The Mariners return to Seattle with a 37-30 record and 5.0 lead over the Texas Rangers at the top of the AL West. Next up they face the Chicago White Sox who have the worst record in the Majors, beginning on Monday night when they send Logan Gilbert to the mound.

How many games do you predict the Mariners will win in their seven-game homestand, comprising of four against the White Sox and three versus the Rangers? Let us know in the comments section below.