“No other way to put it. That was brutal,” he remarked.
Throughout the Mariners’ recent struggles, Servais has consistently emphasized patience. Despite their challenges, Seattle remained in first place with ample time to recover.
However, after Monday’s 3-1 loss to the Angels at T-Mobile Park, where the bullpen allowed three runs on four walks in two innings and the offense managed just four hits with 14 strikeouts, Servais’ tone changed dramatically.
“It depends on where you want to be 60 games from now. Do you want to be playing playoff baseball, or do you want to be driving home?” he stated. “Sixty games. We talk about it being a marathon. It’s getting close to a sprint. Not quite there yet, but getting close. You’ve got to show up to compete and be ready to take it every night. If you don’t, this league doesn’t care — they’ll just walk on by you.”
In tough times, teams rely on their leaders to guide the way. However, the Mariners may be without one of their key players for a while, making this loss even more painful.
J.P. Crawford, who had played every game at shortstop since returning from a strained oblique on May 20, was hit by a pitch on the back of his right hand in the first inning. Despite walking to first base and scoring on Cal Raleigh’s RBI single, Crawford didn’t return for the second inning. Dylan Moore moved to shortstop, and Luke Raley entered to play first base.
After the game, Servais confirmed that Crawford had suffered a hairline fracture in his right pinky finger, likely leading to a stint on the injured list.
“We’ll know more once the specialist looks at it and go from there,” Servais said.
Seattle is also without Julio Rodríguez, who left Sunday’s game against Houston with an ankle injury. Servais mentioned that Rodríguez appears to have a “mild” sprain but remains day-to-day.
Ty France, while still technically on the roster after being placed on waivers, didn’t start against a left-handed pitcher, indicating he would only be used as a last resort. By the time the clubhouse opened, his locker was cleared out.
This leaves the Mariners without three of their four players who have started 75 games at any single position this season, with Raleigh being the only exception.
The only bright spot for Seattle was the starting pitching. Bryce Miller delivered his second consecutive scoreless start, going seven innings with three hits allowed and five strikeouts, keeping the game at 1-0 until he was pulled after 94 pitches.
Then things unraveled. Ryne Stanek walked the first two batters he faced before getting a strikeout. The Angels tied the game on a sac fly after a double steal against Andrés Muñoz.
Trent Thornton got two quick outs in the ninth but issued back-to-back walks before giving up a go-ahead single to Jo Adell.
Seattle’s starters have delivered quality starts in each of the past five games, yet the Mariners have lost all five.
“No way to sugarcoat it. We just handed them the ballgame tonight,” Servais said. “In the situation we’re in, every game is really important. I’m disappointed. Our guys usually make plays at the end of the game, throw strikes. We didn’t do that, and it obviously cost us the game.”
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