Mariners survive late scare to win 7-6 and take Marlins series

Logan Evans had a promising major league debut and the offense continued to do their thing, as the Mariners made it six series wins in a row.

There was plenty of concern when staff ace Logan Gilbert was placed on the 15-day injured list, with him shut down from throwing for two weeks and potentially out until June. However, there is some hope the Seattle Mariners can survive however long he ends up being absent for, thanks to the ‘other’ Logan.

Logan Evans was called up to make his major league debut on Sunday in the rubber match against the Miami Marlins. Sure there were some stressful moments — par the course for a starting pitcher never mind someone making his first appearance in the majors — but overall there was plenty to be encouraged by.

Admittedly it couldn’t have started much worse for Evans when he gave up a solo blast in the top of the first, but after that he settled down and only allowed one more hit and run in 5.0 innings. When it was all said and done he allowed two hits, three walks and two earned runs on 78 pitches, while also striking out three.

No rattling Logan Evans

Evans continually dealt with any adversity well, including allowing the first two men to get on base in the top of the fifth but going on to only give up the one run. Asked afterwards about his conviction in being able to remain cool and relaxed, he said:

“It definitely helps a lot having support (from my teammates), but I felt like that was my approach today. The big thing for me was to control my breathing, realising it’s the same game. I think it helped after the first pitch when I got a comebacker and it kind of put me in that mode, but it was a good day.”

This approach was not lost on manager Dan Wilson, who knows a thing or 10 about pitchers. Wilson said:

“He seemed very calm, very collected. He was in control of what he was doing the whole game, and I thought he pitched very well for his first time out. I don’t think you could have told it was his first time out, had you not known. I thought he pitched very well, mixed all his stuff. That’s what he does, and I think that’s what makes him successful and he was able to do it again today.”

Mariners offense continues to excel

Evans ended up being tagged with the ‘W’ thanks in part to the magnificent support he received from a Mariners lineup which continues to rake. Cal Raleigh hit his 10th homer of the season to tie for the MLB lead, the rejuvenated Jorge Polanco had three hits and two RBI, while Julio Rodriguez produced a much-needed two-run single.

In total the Mariners had nine hits, five walks and seven runs one day after blitzing the Marlins for 15 hits, seven walks and 14 runs. The Dan Wilson’ philosophy is now in full effect and as of Monday morning the team is first in walks, tied-third in steals, fifth in OPS and seventh in runs scored.

Evans might be new to the majors but he certainly likes what he sees and has full confidence in the offensive potency of the Mariners. He said:

“That’s where I just felt like I’ve just got to keep grinding for the team, and I know they’re going to put up runs. This lineup is stacked, and we’re obviously rolling right now. So, it was cool. Seeing home runs from the dugout in the show is a pretty cool experience.”

In the end the Mariners needed every one of their seven runs on Sunday, after the embattled Trent Thornton gave up a three-run homer in the top of the eighth to pull the Marlins to within one run at 7-6. It really is tough to justify continually putting Thornton on the mound, with him now having a 7.71 ERA, 7.77 FIP, 1.457 WHIP and -0.6 WAR in 14 appearances this season.

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The best closer in baseball

Fortunately for the Mariners they have the sensational Andrés Muñoz, who duly entered the game in the ninth and proceeded to make it a major league-leading 10 saves out of 10 opportunities in 2025. He has yet to allow a single run in 14.0 combined innings, as has truly established himself as the best closer in the game.

With the win the Mariners made it six series in a row, they’re 12-4 in their past 16 games and they enter Monday’s off-day leading the AL West with a 16-12 record. Just don’t expect Wilson or his players to rest on their laurels, as he said:

“I think a lot of times, kind of a nose down and just keeping going is the best approach, and these guys have nailed it. It’s great we’re in first place, but we’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got a lot of things that we’ve got to do, and consistency is something that we’re going to continue to look for, and these guys have figured out how to do that.”

Does Evans’ debut give you enough encouragement that the Mariners will be okay for however long Gilbert is out? Further, have you seen enough from the offense to consider the production a legitimate ongoing success in 2025? Let us know in the comments section below.