BREAKING: Mariners can’t sweep of Astros as offense struggles again

Whether they admit it publicly or not, the Mariners’ starting pitchers have grown accustomed to expecting minimal run support when they take the mound. This mindset is reinforced by the Mariners’ average of just 3.2 runs per game for their starters, the third lowest in MLB.

It’s tough to pitch effectively knowing that giving up two runs might be too much, and three or more almost guarantees a loss. For instance, even if Logan Gilbert had pitched flawlessly for six or seven innings against the Astros on Thursday, it wouldn’t have been enough since his teammates failed to score any runs for the third time this season.

Rookie Spencer Arrighetti delivered a stellar performance for the Astros, allowing only two hits over six innings, leading to a 4-0 victory and preventing a series sweep. Mariners manager Scott Servais acknowledged the difficulty of sweeping a four-game series and emphasized the need for early runs, which didn’t materialize.

The Mariners struggled offensively under the sunny skies at T-Mobile Park, managing just two hits in the first eight innings and two more in the ninth, while striking out 12 times. Arrighetti, despite his previous 2-5 record and 6.93 ERA, dominated with three walks and eight strikeouts, making first-pitch strikes on 19 of 24 batters.

Servais noted that Arrighetti’s mix of fastballs, cutters, and curveballs caught the Mariners off guard, and they failed to adjust quickly enough. The Mariners only managed to get a runner to second base once in the first eight innings.

Dylan Moore mentioned their plan to attack Arrighetti early but admitted they couldn’t adjust quickly enough to his command of pitches. He stressed the need for better at-bats and making adjustments on the fly.

Gilbert took the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits over six innings. The Astros broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning with Alex Bregman’s two-run homer, followed by a solo homer from Victor Caratini and another run in the sixth.

Despite a leadoff walk in the sixth inning, the Mariners couldn’t mount a comeback as Arrighetti struck out the next three batters. The Astros’ bullpen then shut down any remaining hopes of a rally.

The Mariners (31-27) ended their four-game winning streak, having scored only nine runs and struck out 46 times in the series. Servais remained optimistic, noting their series win against the Astros and emphasizing the need to focus on the upcoming games against the Los Angeles Angels, aiming to improve their offensive performance.