By Paul L. Taylor Posted on

Mariners waste Logan Gilbert’s best start of 2026 in White Sox loss

The best version of Logan Gilbert returns to the mound, but the Seattle Mariners still lose rubber match 2-1 in Chicago.

Since starting this season 8-13, the Mariners had seemingly begun to find their mojo in winning four of six series, including one against a Braves ballclub with the best record in the majors. However, faced with the chance to making it five series wins in seven on Sunday, the M’s came up short in Chicago in the rubber match versus the White Sox.

Despite leading most of the way and outhitting the White Sox, it didn’t mean a thing as the Mariners lost 2-1 and in the process wasted an outstanding performance from Logan Gilbert. In fact it was Gilbert’s best outing so far this season, as he brought back memories of the staff ace version of himself who took the mound in 2024.

Gilbert truly could have done little more as he allowed just one hit and no walks during 6.0 shutout innings, while also striking out a season-high nine. Interestingly, that solitary hit in the second inning would have been a home run if it wasn’t for a timely gust of wind, but he deserved that one piece of good luck on a day when he dominated.

Logan Gilbert discusses the near-home run

The 2024 All-Star admitted he thought Miguel Vargas’ hit was indeed going to be a home run. Speaking to the media postgame, he said:

“I thought it was gone off the bat. Actually, when he was on second, I still thought it was a home run. In my mind, for whatever reason, I’m like, they’re going to challenge it. I know it’s a home run, but (I’m) happy it didn’t go out. He hit it pretty hard.”

Unfortunately for the Mariners they would not be so lucky later on in the game, after Gilbert had departed and following a scoreless but nervy seventh inning by Jose A. Ferrer. Eduard Bazardo entered the game in the bottom of the eighth with the visitors clinging onto a a 1-0 lead, but it quickly went wrong.

Dan Wilson’s critics will of course find a way to blame him, but this was one of those occasions where they shouldn’t. Bazardo has arguably been the Mariners’ best reliever so far this season, but on Sunday he allowed a home run for the first time in 20 appearances, as Randal Grichuk tied the game at 1-1 with a solo blast.

Dan Wilson feels bad for Eduard Bazardo

Bazardo had seemed to hold the advantage after getting ahead 0-2 in the count, but Grichuk hung tough and eventually found a pitch he liked and made the Mariners pay. Speaking about the tying home run afterwards, Wilson said:

“He just found a lot more plate than he wanted to. Zardo has just been so reliable for us. That’s a tough break for him.”

It was just one of those days at the office which happens to even the best of players, as Bazardo subsequently also allowed a two-out sacrifice fly to Vargas which gave the White Sox the only lead they would need. In fairness to the righty, the blame really lies at the feet of Randy Arozarena, who didn’t catch the ball cleanly in left field and then made an off-target throw to Cal Raleigh at home plate.

Ultimately though, Sunday’s loss rests on the shoulders of a lineup which could only muster one run — an RBI single by Arozarena in the top of the first — thanks to the Mariners’ inability to get hits with runners in scoring position. The most costly example of this came in the top of the ninth, after they had loaded the bases with just one out.

Despite this seemingly favorably situation, Cole Young and then Brendan Donovan failed to take advantage. Making it even more frustrating that the Mariners didn’t at least tie the game up, is that Young and Donovan have been two of the most consistent hitters in the lineup so far this season.

Mariners must find a way to be more clutch in close ballgames

In any event, the Mariners dropped to 19-22 and officially passed the quarter-way point on their schedule, meaning you can no longer say it’s still early. Lamenting the manner of the loss, Gilbert said:

“Defense was great. Just a good game all the way around – we just came up a little short. I felt like that’s a game we’ll probably look back and think we should win, but that’s baseball.”

While this is indeed how baseball can go, the M’s now fall to 6-10 in one-run games this season. Fortunately for them the division specifically and the AL in general doesn’t look good with only three ballclubs above .500, but there’s still plenty of reason to be concerned.

We appreciate the Mariners have traditionally been a second-half club in recent years, but more is expected this season when considering the overall talent on this roster. Sure the amount of injuries to key personnel hasn’t helped, but there needs to be more of a sense urgency as well as consistency for a club which entered the 2026 campaign with genuine World Series aspirations.

At least the Mariners now have a chance to get back on track, with a four-game series in Houston versus an Astros ballclub which is tied for the worst record in the AL. Even at this point of the season though, it’s important to take no less than two games before returning to Seattle.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography

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