The Mariners were shut out 6-0 by the Brewers on July 22 as Jacob Misiorowski dominated. With Cal Raleigh and the offense slumping, can Seattle recover?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night to forget at T-Mobile Park. The Seattle Mariners, a team with postseason aspirations, looked utterly lost at the plate Tuesday, managing a paltry four hits in a dispiriting 6-0 shutout loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Hopes of starting the homestand on a high note evaporated under the dominance of Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski, leaving fans to wonder where the offense has gone and what, if anything, can be done to get it back.
Tough one tonight. We'll regroup and come back stronger tomorrow.
The story of the game was Jacob Misiorowski. The Brewers' right-hander carved up the Mariners lineup for seven innings, striking out nine and allowing just four scattered singles. Seattle's hitters had no answers, with key bats like Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford managing just one hit each. On the other side, Logan Gilbert battled for six innings but was tagged for four runs (three earned). The back-breaker came in the fifth inning when a three-run rally, capped by a two-run double from Christian Yelich, put the game firmly out of reach.
This isn't just a one-game problem. The Mariners' offense is in a full-blown slump. The team has now scored a combined three runs over its last two games, both losses. The power has vanished, with All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh still sitting on 38 home runs. With each quiet loss, the gap in the AL West widens. Seattle now sits a frustrating five games behind the division-leading Houston Astros, making every game from here on out feel like a must-win.
While the bats were silent, the front office made a move to bolster the bullpen. Lefty reliever Brandyn Garcia, the club's No. 13 prospect, was called up from Triple-A Tacoma, with rookie Juan Burgos heading back down. Garcia was electric in Tacoma, posting a 2.16 ERA in the hitter-friendly PCL. The hope is that his fresh arm can provide some stability after a taxing weekend series and perhaps give the team a different look out of the bullpen down the stretch.
Despite the glaring need for an offensive spark and potential bullpen depth, the trade market remained quiet for the Mariners on Tuesday. As the deadline creeps closer, the pressure mounts on the front office. Tonight's performance was a loud and clear signal that the current roster might not have enough firepower to make a serious run. Fans are anxiously waiting to see if reinforcements are on the way, or if the team will have to find a way to win with what they've got.
One loss doesn't define a season, but this one felt heavy. With the offense sputtering and the division lead slipping, the Mariners are at a crossroads. They have a chance to bounce back tomorrow and prove this was just an off night. But as Cal Raleigh's post-game message suggests, it's time to regroup and come back stronger. The question is, will that strength come from within the current clubhouse, or from a trade that has yet to materialize? The next few days will be telling.
