6/25/26

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates faced off on Wednesday morning at PNC Park to decide the winner of the three-game series. With Seattle grinding out a low-scoring affair in the opener and Pittsburgh blowing out the M’s in a double-digit win in game two, the series was there for the taking as both teams tried to build some momentum. With both hovering around .500 for much of the season, it could just take one series win to elevate themselves onto a run to close out the first half.

On Thursday it would be Bryce Miller getting the start and for just the fourth time this season, he would not have to worry about piggybacking with another starter. It would be Miller’s game which gave the M’s a ton of confidence as he had not allowed more than two runs in a start in his first seven outings of the season. The M’s would need some more offense as they entered the finale scoring three runs or fewer in ten consecutive games. That offense would have to come against former top Pittsburgh prospect Bubba Chandler, who would be trying to solve his control issues and avoid stacking up walks.

Pirates 5, Mariners 1 (Game Three, June 25th)

It wasn’t the best start for the Mariners as they seemed to be on West Coast time early. Cal Raleigh would double in the 1st but like so many doubles lately, he was left stranded. In the home half, Bryce Miller gave up a deep fly ball off the bat of Jake Mangum, but it was flagged down by Julio Rodríguez for the first out. The next fly ball would not stay in the park as Brandon Lowe clobbered a hanging slider 391-feet for his 19th home run of the season. The solo blast had Pittsburgh on the board first, leading the M’s 1-0.

Bubba Chandler retired the next six Mariners he faced for very quick innings in the 2nd and 3rd. While Bryce Miller had a solid 2nd, the 3rd gave him some more speed bumps. Jared Triolo led off the inning with a base hit to right to set the table for Henry Davis. The catcher stepped to the plate and showed off his quick hands on a fastball on the inside corner. Davis sent it out to right center for his sixth home run of the season. The two-run shot grew Pittsburgh’s lead to 3-0.

Seattle would finally put together a threat in the 4th. After nine consecutive batters were retired by Bubba Chandler, Julio Rodríguez punched a single the other way into right field for the M’s second hit of the game. Josh Naylor followed with a bloop single to put two on but there would be two outs after Randy Arozarena flew out to center. J-Rod stole third and the bases would be loaded after Luke Raley walked. Cole Young shot a line drive to left center, but a terrific sliding catch by Jake Mangum would kill that threat. Seattle left the bases loaded and continued their offensive woes, trailing 3-0.

In the 5th, the Mariners continued to put pressure on Bubba Chandler, although this was a little self induced. Chandler walked both Mitch Garver and Colt Emerson to put two on with nobody out and the top of the order coming up. J.P. Crawford got Seattle on the board with an RBI single to right center to make it 3-1 with runners on the corners and still nobody out. Cal Raleigh couldn’t get in a run as he struck out and an inning that had a lot of promise quickly fizzled out. Julio Rodríguez hit a hard grounder that turned into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning, limiting the Mariners to just one run.

They would chase Chandler in the 6th as they threatened once again. An infield single by Randy Arozarena set the tone before Chandler left the game with one out. Evan Sisk took over and gave up a left-on-left single to Luke Raley to put two on with one out. Cole Young hit into a fielder’s choice for the second out before Mitch Garver was hit in the ankle to load the bases. However, they left them loaded again as Colt Emerson grounded out to short, leaving the bases loaded for the second time.

With the Pirates bullpen taking over, the M’s would have to get it done against the relievers. Sisk stayed on for the 7th but was pulled after walking Cal Raleigh with one out. Yohan Ramírez came in and got J-Rod to hit into a fielder’s choice for the second out. Ramírez then completely lost control and walked Josh Naylor and Randy Arozarena to load the bases with two away. For the third time, Seattle squandered the bases loaded opportunity. A weak pop up by Rob Refsnyder left them loaded for the third time in the game.

Pittsburgh got some insurance in the 8th in what turned out to be the knockout blow to the Mariners. RBI singles by Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn put up two runs against Alex Hoppe to make it 5-1 going into the 9th. Gregory Soto was on to close things out for the Pirates. He needed just two pitches to retire J.P. Crawford before striking out Cal Raleigh as well. Julio Rodríguez battled but ended up flying out to end the game. Seattle left 11 on base and went 1-10 with runners in scoring position as they dropped the rubber game to the Pirates, 5-1.

Notable Performances

Mariners

Pirates

• Henry Davis- 2-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB
• Brandon Lowe- 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R
• Bubba Chandler (W, 3-7)- 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

What’s Next

Make it back-to-back series losses for the Seattle Mariners (41-41) as they fall back to .500. They have also scored three runs or fewer in their last 11 games which is the third longest streak in franchise history. Standings and results from the other AL West teams will be updated after their games are played tonight with the Astros, Rangers, and Athletics all in action while the Angels are off on Thursday.

For the first time since the opening series of the season, the Seattle Mariners will take on the Cleveland Guardians (42-39) in a three-game series at Progressive Field. Cleveland just dropped two of three to the Chicago White Sox, creating a tie atop the AL Central between the two teams. The Guardians have lost three series in a row and are 2-7 in their last nine series. Back in March, Seattle and Cleveland split four games but now the Guardians are without José Ramírez due to a broken hamate bone in his wrist.

We have to spotlight the player that gave the Mariners fits to open up the season and that is rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter. One of three Guardians contending for the AL Rookie of the Year, DeLauter actually debuted last postseason but made his regular season debut on Opening Day in Seattle. In those four games, DeLauter went 6-17 with four home runs. Luckily, he only drove in five runs but he still gave the Mariners fits in the PNW. Now, DeLauter is currently on the IL but is expected to return during the Guardians homestand which begins on Friday with the Mariners. Seattle will be hoping the return takes place after they leave town to avoid more trouble caused by the rookie.

• Game 1, Friday 4:10pm- Luis Castillo (2-6, 5.22 ERA) vs. Joey Cantillo (6-3, 4.05 ERA)
• Game 2, Saturday 4:10pm- Logan Gilbert (6-4, 3.29 ERA) vs. Slade Cecconi (3-6, 4.48 ERA)
• Game 3, Sunday 10:40am- George Kirby (6-7, 3.94 ERA) vs. Gavin Williams (9-4, 3.82 ERA)

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