Josh Naylor debuts, but the Mariners fall to the Angels 5-4 on July 27. See how a late rally led by Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford came up just short.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
One step forward, one step back. That was the story Sunday in Anaheim, as the Seattle Mariners welcomed their newest slugger, Josh Naylor, only to see a ninth-inning rally die on the vine in a gut-wrenching 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. In a game that felt like a microcosm of their season—full of promise but ending in frustration—the M's couldn't overcome an early deficit, snapping a modest win streak and losing precious ground in the AL West race.
.292 AVG, .807 OPS, 11 HR, 59 RBI - The stat line of new Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor, acquired to inject life into the heart of the order.
The buzz heading into Sunday's contest was all about Josh Naylor. Acquired from Arizona to be the everyday first baseman and cleanup hitter the team has desperately needed, he was immediately inserted into the lineup. Unfortunately, his presence alone wasn't enough to secure a victory. Starter Logan Gilbert battled but wasn't his sharpest, and the Angels, led by a productive day from Taylor Ward, built a lead that proved just large enough. The Mariners, as is their trademark, refused to go quietly. They clawed back in the later innings, with key at-bats from mainstays like Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford, but the tying run was left stranded, leaving the final score at 5-4 and the team with a bitter taste.
General Manager Jerry Dipoto didn't stand pat, pulling the trigger on a significant deal to bring first baseman Josh Naylor over from the Diamondbacks. In exchange for prospects Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi, Seattle gets a proven middle-of-the-order bat hitting .292 with an .807 OPS. Naylor is expected to provide much-needed protection for Cal Raleigh and lengthen a lineup that has been prone to cold spells. His arrival signals a clear 'win-now' mentality from the front office. To make room on the roster, the versatile but light-hitting Miles Mastrobuoni was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, cementing Naylor's role as the everyday first baseman.
While landing Naylor plugs a major hole, sources around the league indicate the Mariners are far from finished. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the front office is reportedly working the phones hard to acquire additional bullpen arms and potentially another offensive upgrade. The team's recent performance has shown that while the core is strong, the depth needs reinforcement to make a serious push for the division title and a deep playoff run. The next few days will be crucial in shaping the roster for the stretch run.
So, the Mariners leave Anaheim with a series loss and a new first baseman, a perfect encapsulation of the hope and anxiety surrounding this team. The loss stings, but the arrival of Josh Naylor and the promise of more reinforcements on the way provide a reason for optimism. The road ahead doesn't get any easier, and the clock is ticking towards the trade deadline. All eyes will be on the front office to see if they can add the final pieces needed to close the gap on Houston and turn these frustrating one-run losses into satisfying wins.
