The Guardians were shut out 6-0 by the Mariners on June 15, getting just one hit. Concerns grow as star Steven Kwan exits with an injury. Recap inside.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day to forget in Seattle. The Cleveland Guardians' offense was not just quiet—it was completely silenced, managing a single hit in a dismal 6-0 shutout loss to the Mariners. To add injury to insult, star outfielder Steven Kwan made an early exit, leaving fans holding their breath about his status and the team's immediate future.
The Guardians managed just one hit—a single by Lane Thomas—against Mariners starter Emerson Hancock and the Seattle bullpen.
The box score tells a brutal story. Across nine innings at T-Mobile Park, the Guardians' lineup could only muster a single base hit—a lone single from Lane Thomas. Mariners starter Emerson Hancock and the Seattle bullpen had their way with Cleveland's hitters, shutting down key cogs like José Ramírez and Carlos Santana, who both went hitless. An offense that has shown flashes of brilliance this season went completely dormant, failing to generate any pressure or momentum.
The only thing worse than a one-hit shutout is watching your leadoff catalyst leave with an injury. Steven Kwan, who appeared to tweak something in the top of the first inning, was pulled from the game in the sixth and replaced by Johnathan Rodríguez. While the team has yet to release an official update, the sight of Kwan heading to the dugout early sent a wave of concern through the fanbase. His energy and on-base skills are the engine of this offense, and any time missed would be a significant blow.
On the mound, Luis Ortiz battled but couldn't hold back the Mariners. He threw 104 pitches in his start, but the Seattle offense was persistent, eventually breaking through to hang six runs on the board. While the lack of run support meant Ortiz had zero margin for error, it was ultimately not the sharpest outing for the Cleveland starter, compounding the team's woes on a day where nothing seemed to go right.
With the loss, the Guardians' losing streak extends to three games, dropping their season record to 15-13. The skid has cost them ground in the division, as they now sit 2.5 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers. What started as a promising road trip has quickly turned sour, and the team will need to find a way to reset and stop the bleeding before this slump defines their month.
As the Guardians leave Seattle, they're carrying the weight of a three-game skid and a silent offense. The top priority will be getting an official update on Steven Kwan's health, as his presence is critical. Beyond that, the bats simply have to wake up. This team has shown its fight before, and they'll need to dig deep to snap this streak and get back on track in the AL Central race.
