Guardians fall to Mariners 4-3 on June 15, 2025, after Emmanuel Clase blows a 9th-inning save. See how Jorge Polanco's walk-off spoiled José Ramírez's big day.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a game the Cleveland Guardians had in their grasp, only to see it slip away in the most painful fashion possible. A ninth-inning collapse, capped by a walk-off RBI single from Seattle's Jorge Polanco, handed the Guardians a brutal 4-3 loss on Sunday. Closer Emmanuel Clase, usually a pillar of reliability, couldn't shut the door, leaving fans and the team wondering what could have been.
José Ramírez extended his career-long on-base streak to 39 games—the longest active streak in MLB.
Holding a 3-2 lead heading into the final frame, the Guardians turned to their All-Star closer, Emmanuel Clase. But Sunday just wasn't his day. An uncharacteristic wild pitch allowed the tying run to scamper home, completely changing the complexion of the inning. Moments later, Jorge Polanco stepped up and delivered the decisive blow, a sharp single that scored the winning run and sent the Mariners pouring out of the dugout. Clase (4-1) was tagged with the loss, a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar season.
Even in a stinging defeat, José Ramírez continues to be a beacon of consistency. The Guardians' superstar launched a solo home run in the fifth inning, a blast that not only contributed a key run but also extended his incredible on-base streak to 39 consecutive games. It's the longest active streak in the majors and a testament to his elite plate discipline and power. While the loss hurts, J-Ram's historic run is a daily reminder of the special talent anchoring this lineup.
Before the late-game drama, it was a tightly contested affair. Starter Tanner Bibee gave the team a chance, battling through five innings and allowing just two runs on four hits. The offense did just enough to build a lead, with Nolan Jones chipping in with a key double and an RBI to complement Ramírez's home run. It was a solid, if not spectacular, team effort that deserved a better fate.
It's a tough pill to swallow, but the beauty of baseball is that there's always tomorrow. The Guardians will send Luis Ortiz to the mound to face Seattle's Emerson Hancock in the series finale. It's now a must-win to avoid the sweep and salvage some momentum before heading home. Let's see if the squad can shake this one off and end the road trip on a high note.
