The Seattle Mariners have made a stunning surge to tie the American League (AL) West lead, following their 7-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Friday night. The win was powered by Eugenio Suárez’s impressive performance with three hits and three RBI, including a crucial two-run single in the fourth inning.
The Mariners’ comeback is even more impressive when considering their position just a few weeks ago. At the start of the season, they were 10 games behind the leaders, sitting at a lackluster 47-48 record. However, they have since embarked on an incredible 25-8 run, catapulting them into a share of first place with the Texas Rangers. This marks the latest point in the season that the Mariners have held a share of first place since 2003.
Against the Royals, Seattle found themselves trailing 3-2 before Suárez’s clutch hit in the fourth inning. They extended their lead to 6-3 in the fifth inning, thanks to Teoscar Hernández scoring on a wild pitch and Josh Rojas adding an RBI single. Although Kyle Isbel’s two-run homer in the seventh inning narrowed the gap to 6-5, Suárez’s run-scoring double in the eighth inning provided the Mariners with some much-needed insurance.
In the ninth inning, Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz faced some pressure after allowing a single and walk. However, he managed to retire Maikel GarcÃa on a groundout and then intentionally walked Bobby Witt Jr. to load the bases with two outs. Muñoz rose to the occasion, striking out pinch-hitter Freddy FermÃn to secure his ninth save in 13 chances.
Pitcher Isaiah Campbell played a crucial role in the Mariners’ victory, as he threw a hitless fifth inning and earned the win, improving his record to 4-0. On the Royals’ side, starting pitcher Brady Singer struggled, surrendering four runs and nine hits in four innings.
The Royals’ defeat further compounds their dismal road record, which stands as the worst in the Major Leagues at 18-49. They have also struggled when trailing entering the ninth inning this year, managing just one win out of 82 games.
Looking ahead, the Mariners will send RHP Logan Gilbert to the mound on Saturday to face the Royals’ struggling RHP Jordan Lyles. Gilbert boasts an 11-5 record and a 3.77 ERA, while Lyles has struggled with a 3-14 record and a 6.20 ERA.
Overall, the Mariners’ impressive comeback and their push to tie for the AL West lead has created excitement among both players and fans. With the season nearing its climax, it remains to be seen if the Mariners can maintain their strong performance and secure a spot in the playoffs.
