Mariners see 8-game winning streak halted in 4-3 loss to Orioles

The Mariners’ comeback bid falls short in Baltimore, as the Orioles clinch victory with a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth.

The Seattle Mariners finally came back down to earth on Wednesday evening, as they tasted the bitterness of defeat for the first time in nine games. Combined with a win by the Houston Astros the M’s fell out of a tie for first place in their division, although they remain in a favorable position with the top wild card spot in the AL.

The stage was set for what would ultimately be a troublesome night, when the game was delayed by one hour and 40 minutes due to thunderstorms in the area. In fairness though, once things got going we were treated to a fine outing by Logan Gilbert – at least for the most part.

Logan Gilbert looking more like the staff ace

Gilbert has endured an uneven 2025 campaign which was compromised by missing time with a right elbow flexor strain. However, the signs are there that — similar to George Kirby — the righty is now finding the consistent form which earned him his first All-Star selection last year.

The M’s opening day starter had his third quality start in his past five outings and pitched beyond the sixth inning for just the third time this season. However, after being given a 1-0 lead thanks to Josh Naylor’s RBI single in the top of the seventh, the Orioles finally got to Gilbert in the bottom of the inning.

The 28-year-old allowed two of his four hits on the night and the Mariners finally took him out with one out in the seventh, to be replaced by Gabe Speier. Unfortunately for the M’s the Orioles subsequently scored three runs to take a 3-1 lead into the eighth, with two of the runs being ‘credited’ to Gilbert.

Costly mistakes by the Mariners

Ryan Mountcastle hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1, but the key moment of the inning was full of calamity. Orioles pinch-hitter Jeremiah Jackson hit a triple and Coby Mayo scored after Dylan Moore failed to make a clean grab off the wall, resulting in a throwing error by Naylor which also allowed Jackson to cross home plate for the 3-1 advantage.

It looked like curtains for the Mariners, who have struggled to manufacture runs during this series in Baltimore as evidenced by just one score a night earlier. However, one thing we know about this team is they have excellent mental fortitude and managed to fight back in the top of the ninth.

First, that man Naylor produced his second RBI of the game — and third in the series — to pull the M’s to within 3-2. This was soon followed by Dominic Canzone’s sacrifice fly to bring Eugenio Suárez home and tie things up at 3-3.

The ball was then turned over to Matt Brash in the bottom of the ninth, as the Mariners looked to take the game to extra innings. Ultimately though, any hope was lost as Jackson Holliday hit a walk-off double to clinch a 4-3 victory for the Orioles and halt the M’s winning streak at eight games.

Making the winning score even more painful was that Moore had trouble getting the ball out of the corner, thus taking away any realistic chance for a play at the plate. Add in the 33-year-old going 0-for-3 at the plate and having no hits since July 4, and you have to wonder how much longer the Mariners can keep him around.

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Should the Mariners have kept Logan Gilbert in longer?

Afterwards, Gilbert discussed his gameplan versus the Orioles and also made sure to give credit to his teammates. He said:

“Just trying to get ahead like always. I felt like, honestly, they were looking for heaters a lot of the night, so when I threw it in the zone, we got quick contact and fortunately it went to people, and had some really good plays on defense behind me.”

Even though the Orioles had begun to get to Gilbert in the seventh inning, some critics believe he should have been kept in due to having only thrown 79 pitches. He understood the decision to take him out, although his competitiveness couldn’t help but come through as he said:

“I definitely felt like I had a chance to go to make it a really deep (outing), but unfortunately just a couple first pitches that they put good swings on. I always want to keep going … but usually I feel like those decisions work out either way, so I’m not complaining.”

Mariners manager Dan Wilson spoke to the media and explained his thinking behind the decision to take Gilbert out when he did, and replace him with Speier. He said:

“It’s a tied game at that point, and I thought they barrelled up a couple balls. And Gabe has been so good for us in those situations. They were just able to get one up off the wall and get the two runs there. Those are the tough decisions, and we thought at the moment that was the right one.”

In fairness Wilson’s rationale did make sense, and it turned out to be just one of those nights. Now it’s a case of putting together another winning streak, as he said:

“Got to give them a little bit of credit. They were able to get to the bullpen a little bit tonight for their runs, but (we have) a chance to win the series tomorrow and get right back at it.”

Logan Evans will get the start in Thursday’s rubber match, with him entering the game with a 4.36 ERA and 6-4 record in 14 starts. The Mariners will be aiming for a fourth consecutive series win as the Orioles counter with Tomoyuki Sugano, who has a 4.24 ERA and 9-5 record in 22 starts.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

Is it finally time for the Mariners to move on from Moore? Irrespective, what is your prediction for who will take Thursday’s rubber match at Camden Yards? Let us know in the comments section below.