Mariners lose 2-0 to the Twins on June 26 despite a stellar Emerson Hancock start. The bats go silent as Julio Rodríguez & Cal Raleigh are held hitless.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic case of 'good pitching, no hitting' for the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. In a frustrating 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, a stellar performance from starter Emerson Hancock went for naught as the offense couldn't muster any support, getting shut down in the series finale at Target Field.
The Mariners managed just four hits, with Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh both held hitless.
Emerson Hancock did everything you could ask for from a starter, navigating the Twins' lineup for six solid innings. He allowed just two runs while striking out five, keeping Seattle in the game from the first pitch. Unfortunately, his counterpart, Simeon Woods Richardson, was just as effective, and the Mariners' lineup had no answers. The team scattered a measly four hits all afternoon, with stars Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh both going 0-fer. The bullpen held the line, but without any runs on the board, it was a slow march to a disappointing loss that drops the M's to 41-37 on the season.
The quiet day at the plate also meant the end of Cal Raleigh's recent home run tear. While it's always tough to see a hot streak end, let's not lose sight of the big picture. 'Big Dumper' remains one of the premier power hitters in the American League, with 32 homers and 69 RBI already on the books for a historic first half for a switch-hitting catcher. One hitless game doesn't change the fact that Raleigh is a major threat every time he steps into the box, and the M's will need his bat to wake up the rest of the slumbering offense.
If you're looking for some offensive fireworks, you'll have to look to the farm system. No. 2 prospect Lazaro Montes is putting on a show at High-A, blasting his fourth home run in as many games. The 'Teenage T-Rex' is on an absolute tear as the minor league season's first half concludes, providing a powerful reminder of the offensive talent brewing in the pipeline. While it doesn't help the big league club today, Montes's development is a huge bright spot for the future of the franchise.
This loss stings, no doubt about it. Losing a winnable series finale on the road is a tough pill to swallow, especially when the pitching gives you a chance. The Mariners remain in a solid position at 41-37 and second in the AL West, but the offensive inconsistency is a glaring issue that needs to be solved. As they head into their next series, the focus will be squarely on waking up the bats. This team needs its stars to shine if they want to make a serious push for the division crown.
