The M’s dropped another one, this time a 6-2 sleepwalk against the Oakland Athletics, sealing a losing series at home on a night when both Texas teams couldn’t even manage a win themselves. Honestly, it’s just one more kick in the gut for a season that has been nothing short of pear-shaped for our Mariners practically right out of the gate. Forget “worst loss of the year” debates for the offseason, because tonight’s moribund performance against the husk of a West Sacramento squad just threw another contender into the ring.
Kirby Digs Deep, But the Bats Go Cold
George Kirby got the ball for us, and you know what? He was largely fine, battling through into the seventh inning. That’s a big deal, considering it was the first time a Mariners starter had gone that deep since Kirby himself went 7.2 against the Phillies way back on August 25th. He started off strong, too, even after some suspect non-calls and non-challenges forced him to throw a couple of extra pitches to Henry Bolte. Kirby still won that battle, freezing Bolte on a perfect down-and-away sinker for strike three. He needed just ten pitches for a perfect first, despite a pitch clock violation against Jeff McNeil due to some PitchCom woes. Kirby led off the second by winning a nine-pitch tussle with Lawrence Butler and got Jonah Heim on an easy grounder. But then, Max Muncy came up. Kirby got ahead quickly, but he left a 1-2 four-seamer a touch too much in the upper edge of the zone, and Muncy didn’t miss it, shidding a solo shot into the Mariners’ bullpen to open the scoring.
A’s Chip Away as M’s Defense Stumbles
The A’s kept piling it on, even after we quickly dispatched old friend Donovan Walton. In the third, Alika Williams got on with a swinging bunt, moved to second on a forceout from Denzel Clarke, and then scored on a Bolte double down the right field line. Kirby showed some hustle, picking off Bolte at second to end any further scoring in the frame, but the fourth inning saw the A’s lead double once again. Zack Gelof led it off with a knock to center, then swiped second between Butler and Heim flyouts. Muncy came through again with a base hit up the middle off a first-pitch hanging sweeper, bringing Gelof home. The frustration only grew when Muncy moved to second on a rough passed ball from Cal Raleigh on a wayward splitter, right before Muncy scored on a Donovan Walton double into the right field corner. It was just one of those nights where every little mistake seemed to turn into a run.
This loss just seals a losing series against the A’s, and honestly, it’s hard to even think about what’s next when the season has been this rough. We’re already talking about the “actual worst game of the year” debate fueling discourse through the first few weeks of the offseason. It’s a tough pill to swallow, Emerald City, but this M’s squad has given us plenty to talk about when it comes to rock bottom.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lookout Landing.
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