Mariners hold on to beat Giants 4-3 and win crucial series

Helped by a season-high five steals, the Mariners defeat the Giants in the rubber match and Dan Wilson wins his first series as manager.

For one series at least Dan Wilson has proven to be a winner as a manager, as he led the Mariners to an important victory in Sunday afternoon’s rubber match versus the Giants. At the same time, the club is still living by the seat of their pants, as all three games could have gone either way.

Following on from a dramatic comeback extra innings walk-off win in Wilson’s managerial debut on Friday, the Mariners lost the second game 4-3. What was noticeable about the first two contests was the high number of walks the home side manufactured against the Giants, with a combined 17.

The Mariners came back down to earth with ‘only’ four in Sunday’s series finale, but the 21 total walks are still their most in a three-game series since back in Sept. 2019, against the White Sox. In fairness, walks are one of the categories the Mariners have done well in overall this season, with the fifth-most in the Majors ahead of Monday’s action.

Stealing the game away

Aside from the walks, the Mariners also had a season-high five steals, including a career-best three from Dylan Moore. This was also their most steals since August last year, versus — would you believe it? — also the White Sox.

Four of the steals came while former Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray was in the game. He was clearly struggling and had to be removed from the game after three innings, due to left hamstring tightness.

In any event, Wilson loved the aggressive approach of his players. Speaking afterwards, he said:

“It set the tone early in the game, and we’re able to swipe a couple of bags, get ourselves out of double plays, and into scoring position. I thought it made a statement early.”

In all, the Mariners did whatever it took to rebound from Saturday’s loss, swapping the scoreline around to beat the Giants 4-3 in the rubber match. The win was also a special one, coming in the club’s 2,000th regular season game at T-Mobile Park, where they now have a record of 1,059-941.

(Somewhat ironically, Wilson scored the first ever Mariners run at T=Mobile Park. It came courtesy of a David Bell RBI double in the bottom of the eighth, on July 15, 1999.)

Woo bounces back from early adversity

The game couldn’t have started off much worse for the Mariners, as they fell behind in the top of the first for the third consecutive contest versus the Giants. This time however it was 2-0 rather than 1-0, as Heliot Ramos hit a two-RBI bomb for the very early advantage.

However, any concern about Bryan Woo was quickly dismissed, as he recovered to retire the next eight batters he faced and 12 of the next 13. He equalled his season-best of 7.0 innings, as he earned the win to improve to 6-2 in 16 starts.

What was interesting was that Woo also threw a season-high 94 pitches. Perhaps this alludes to Wilson extending him a longer leash and also trusting him, given how good he performing.

Or on the other hand maybe it was just a coincidence, with the Mariners wanting Woo to complete the seven innings before turning to a bullpen which has been struggling. Regardless, the righty was excellent overall.

Overall, Woo allowed only four hits, no walks and the aforementioned two runs (one earned), while equalling another season high with seven strikeouts. The outing also represented his fifth consecutive quality start and ninth overall on the season, with his injury issues now (we write cautiously), looking well behind him.

From his point of view, Woo is certain that he’s pitching better to coincide with lasting longer in games. Speaking to the media postgame, he said:

“It’s kind of opened up a new, maybe part of my game. … I’ve always tried to be that guy of getting in late, late into ballgames, and being able to find that, as of recently, has been awesome.”

Wilson was understandably delighted for his young pitcher. He said:

“Bryan Woo was tremendous today. The homer in the first inning, you know, I think when you try to get to good pitchers, you try to get to them early, and they were able to get him that one time early. But after that, wow, that was special.”

Woo is on course to set a host of new career-bests in his second season in the Majors, with him currently projected to have a 2.05 ERA, 2.92 FIP and 0.810 WHIP. It’s no surprise plenty of people exclaim, when realising that he’s the fifth starter in the Mariners rotation.

Mariners lineup hustles and fights all the way

Of course, as Mariners fans are well aware, even having the best rotation in the Majors can only help you so much, if the offense doesn’t produce. In fairness though, the lineup was hard-working and scrappy throughout Sunday’s game, as they produced just enough to get the necessary runs.

Cal Raleigh responded to Ramos’ homer with an RBI single in the bottom of the first, to pull the home side to within 2-1. Then Julio Rodríguez tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth as he grounded into a fielder’s choice at first, to allow Josh Rojas to cross home plate.

We’ve already mentioned all the walks and steals, but we weren’t joking when we said they did whatever it took to create offense. More specifically twice being hit by pitches, with both coming in the crucial sixth inning.

First, lead-off hitter Randy Arozarena was hit by a pitch to put him on base. Then following a Justin Turner single, Jorge Polanco was also hit by a pitch, to load the bases.

Arozarena was subsequently brought home after Mitch Haniger grounded into a double-play, meaning he didn’t get official credit for the RBI. Regardless, the Mariner had their first lead of the day at 3-2.

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Some late drama and stress for the fans

Rojas then added a RBI single to make it 4-2. This turned out to be a very important run, after Grant McCray’s solo blast to lead off the top of the eight pulled the Giants back to within 4-3.

Everyone inside the ball park was clearly nervous, given how much the Mariners bullpen has been laboring of late. However, after some more nervy moments of allowing a couple of walks, Collin Snider managed to eventually retire the side with no more scoring damage.

Then it was down to that man Andrés Muñoz in the top of the ninth, to do what he does best. And did he ever, as he recorded his 19th save of the year, to extend his single-season career-best in this category.

Overall, Wilson was happy — and probably a little relieved — to hold on for the series win. He said:

“Great series win – all three (were) one-run games. We talked about battling early and these guys really battled, each and every inning. … We did what we had to do today and grinded out a W, and that’s big.”

With the win the Mariners improve to 66-65, 4.4 games behind the Astros at the top of the AL West and 6.5 games back of the third and final AL wild card spot. They begin a three-game home series versus the Rays on Monday night, with Bryce Miller taking the ball for the opener.

What’s your opinion after one series with Wilson in charge? Feeling good, still not hopeful of a final realistic push for the playoffs, or just taking a wait and see approach still? Let us know in the comments section below.