The Guardians were shut out 4-0 by the Mariners on June 14, 2025, as George Kirby dominated and Julio Rodríguez homered. Read how the loss impacts the AL Central.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night to forget on the West Coast. The Cleveland Guardians' offense went completely silent on Saturday, mustering just four hits in a dispiriting 4-0 shutout loss to the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. The loss marks the team's second straight and drops their record to 35-33 on the season.
The Guardians managed just 4 hits all night, with José Ramírez and Carlos Santana providing the only faint sparks in a quiet lineup.
The story of the game was Seattle starter George Kirby, who was simply untouchable. Over seven masterful innings, Kirby (2-3) carved up the Guardians lineup, striking out eight and allowing no runs. For Cleveland, Tanner Bibee (4-7) battled but was ultimately bested. The decisive blow came in the third inning when Mariners superstar Julio Rodríguez launched a two-run homer, putting Seattle ahead for good. Bibee finished with 4 earned runs over 5.2 innings, though the bullpen duo of Tim Herrin and Hunter Gaddis provided a silver lining with 2.1 scoreless frames in relief. Unfortunately, without any run support, it was a moot point.
This recent slump has consequences. With the loss, the Guardians have now fallen to third place in the American League Central. What was once a tight race now sees Cleveland trailing the division leader by several games, a gap they can't afford to let grow. Manager Stephen Vogt has been preaching the need for consistency, particularly from the lineup, and nights like this highlight the urgency of that message. The team needs to find a way to manufacture runs, especially against tough pitching, if they hope to climb back into contention.
While the big-league club struggled, there was a significant bright spot down on the farm. Catcher Cooper Ingle, the organization's No. 7 prospect, continued his torrid season by blasting his seventh home run. The 2024 High-A Midwest League MVP is proving his breakout was no fluke, showcasing impressive power and plate discipline. His rapid ascent is a testament to the strength of Cleveland's player development system, which remains one of the league's most improved. While former top prospect George Valera has fallen off the radar due to struggles, Ingle's rise, alongside high-upside arms and recent No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana, provides a welcome dose of optimism for the future.
One bad night doesn't define a season, but this two-game skid is a test for the Guardians. They'll need to flush this shutout loss quickly and come back tomorrow with a renewed offensive approach. The bats must wake up to salvage the series in Seattle and stop the slide in the AL Central. All eyes will be on the lineup card for Sunday's finale to see how they respond.
