The Seattle Mariners lost to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night, but the final score of 2-1 in 10 innings doesn’t tell the whole story of how heartbreaking it all was.
The M’s lost in a way that seemingly no one has ever experienced before, capping off what have been an unbearable past three months for the team and the fans.
In the bottom of the tenth inning, the M’s had runners on first and third base with no one out. A simple fly ball would have tied the game. Even a ground ball double play would have done the same. One hit could have decided the game if it had been placed correctly. Instead, Randy Arozarena struck out. As he struck out, he threw his bat down the third base line and barely hit Julio Rodriguez.
Rodriguez was visibly spooked and then, trying to keep his composure, strayed too far from the base, which led to a double at third base for the second out of the inning. Justin Turner then hit a pop-up to end the game and likely end the M’s playoff chances.
Seattle now has a 77-75 record this year. They are 5.0 games back in the American League West with 10 games remaining. They are 3.0 games back in the Wild Card race.
Not only was this loss for Seattle devastating, it was historic for all the wrong reasons.
According to @OptaSTATS on social media:
The Mariners are the only MLB team in the last 50 years to have the tying run on third base in the 9th inning or later with no player out, and then lost the game within 2 batters without putting the ball in play or attempting to steal it.
The Mariners are the only MLB team in the last 50 years to have the tying run on third base in the 9th inning or later with no player out, and then lost the game within 2 batters without putting the ball in play or attempting to steal it.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) 19 September 2024
Sure, that’s incredibly odd and random, but it shows how painful this whole experience has been. On June 18, the M’s were 44-31 and 10.0 games ahead in the division. They now have a chance to finish under .500 and could end up six or seven games behind Houston in the division.
The M’s will look to stop the bleeding on Thursday afternoon when they face the Yankees again at 1:10 p.m. PT.
NEW PODCAST IS HERE: The latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast is out. Brady Farkas talks about the significance of the M’s loss to the Texas Rangers on Thursday and Bryan Woo’s dominance on Wednesday against the Padres. Joe Doyle of the Over Slot podcast joins him to talk about the M’s roster and looming problems. He then talks with FS1’s Kevin Kugler, who was there for Woo’s start. CLICK HERE:
BOOMSTICK BABY: Seattle Mariners commentator Dave Sims is reportedly in talks for the Yankees radio job. Here’s the scoop.
And you, Victor?: Victor Robles, one of the M’s’ brightest players of the season, made a crucial mistake on Tuesday. Here’s the play. CLICK HERE:
Continue to follow our Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @.Subscribe. You can subscribe to the Refuse to Lose podcast by clicking HERE:
