Mariners despair as Athletics grab second straight walk-off win

It’s all falling apart for the Mariners at the worst time, as they lose their fourth straight after a promising start under Dan Wilson.

There have been plenty of different ways to describe the 2024 Major League season for the Mariners. However, whether you use a positive or negative word, has often depended on if a fan (or the media) is discussing the pitching or the lineup.

Regardless, one word which comes to mind following the first two contests of a four-game set in Oakland, is heartbreaking. On Tuesday night, for the second consecutive evening, the Mariners were beaten by the Athletics courtesy of a walk-off hit.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson was among those heartbroken, by the turn of events. Speaking to the media postgame, he said:

“Two walkoffs in a row is tough, no doubt about it.”

Mariners go below .500

As a result of a RBI single from Seth Brown in the bottom of the ninth, the Mariners lost 3-2 and fell below .500 for the first time since way back on April 20, at 69-70. This isn’t how the season was meant to go, with the club at one point sitting pretty with a 44-31 record.

Jerry Dipoto had decided to take one last gamble by firing Scott Servais with the season still going. The hope was that by bringing in Wilson, it would somehow light a fire under the players and galvanise them to rediscover their collective potential.

Along these lines Wilson’s tenure started off well enough, as the Mariners went 5-2. However, it’s all gone terribly wrong ever since, with four consecutive losses all by a single agonizing run.

As a result, the Mariners now find themselves 6.5 games behind the Astros at the top of the AL West, heading into Wednesday’s slate of action. It’s not much better in the wild card race, with them 5.5 games back of the third and final spot in the AL.

A bright start soon turns sour

It had all began so well for the Mariners on Tuesday night, with Cal Raleigh belting a two-run bomb in the top of the first for an early 2-0 advantage. Little did the visitors know at the time, but that would be the end of their scoring for this particular game.

Luis Castillo had a strong enough outing, as he gave up just four hits and a walk in 7.0 innings, while also striking out five. However, he gave up two precious earned runs to a red-hot Brown, via two solo blasts in the bottom of the first and then the fourth.

Castillo gave Brown credit about the second home run specifically. Speaking through an interpreter afterwards, he said:

“All the credit to him. He hit a good pitch that was right where the catcher wanted it.”

Lacklustre lineup costs the Mariners

As has too often been the case this season, it was the offense which ultimately failed the Mariners. When you come to such a crucial stage of the season, five hits and two runs just isn’t going to cut it.

Prior to Brown’s winning hit off reliever Trent Thornton, there was one final opportunity for the Mariners in the top of the ninth. It came when Randy Arozarena manufactured a one-out walk.

However, it soon fell apart after what looked like a ball four on pinch-hitter Justin Turner. It actually turned out to be a strike three and Arozarena — who also believed the pitch to be a walk — was thrown out for attempting to steal second base.

Asked about the incident, Wilson admitted he didn’t have the full picture at the time. He said:

“I was watching the pitch, so I didn’t really see what happened. I was focused on the umpire trying to understand what was going on with the check-swing.”

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Away day woes

The Mariners have struggled on the road all season, now seeing their away record drop to a demoralizing 28-42. For this specific road trip they are 1-4, with still five more games to go until they return to home.

It’s tough to think about for fans, bur the Mariners could be effectively dead and buried by the time they play their next game at T-Mobile Park. However Castillo refuses to give up, as he said:

“I always say it’s never too late. We got a chance. If the playoffs are there and it’s in our cards, we’ll get there. The thing we can do is just come in here and just keep working.”

George Kirby will take the ball next on Wednesday night, in a game the Mariners quite simply cannot afford to lose. If they are ever going to have one final push for a playoff spot, it really is a case of now or never.

Is it really all but over for the Mariners now? Or do you retain belief they can get back into the playoff race? Let us know in the comments section below.