Mariners Seek to Ignite Offense in Series Finale vs. Angels

The Seattle Mariners have cooled off in the past two games following a hot start in their series opener against the Los Angeles Angels. They’ll look to get back on track and salvage a series split when the American League West rivals face off one last time on Sunday in Anaheim, California.

Recent Performance and Team Context

The Mariners started strong with an 11-0 win on Thursday but have since dropped the next two games. They managed to score four runs in the first three innings of Friday’s 6-5 extra-innings loss but have only crossed the plate twice in the 16 innings since. In Saturday’s 2-1 loss, Seattle went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. “You’ve got to hit with runners in scoring position,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Two-out RBIs are huge in this game, and we had them on the ropes but couldn’t knock them out.”

Current Standings and Importance of the Game

A win in Sunday’s finale would help Seattle maintain its narrow lead in the AL West, a position they’ve held for over 60 days. They’re currently one game ahead of the second-place Houston Astros, who they’ll face when they return from the break next week. Victor Robles had a standout performance on Saturday, going 3-for-4. He’s had a solid start to July, hitting .545 with a 1.000 slugging percentage in five games this month.

Pitching Matchup and Strategy

The Mariners will send right-hander Logan Gilbert (6-5, 2.94 ERA) to the mound for the finale. Gilbert is 4-2 with a 4.57 ERA in eight career starts against the Angels and has 51 strikeouts against them, his third-most against any team. A win on Sunday would give the Angels their first series victory since they took three of four from the Detroit Tigers two weeks ago. Los Angeles has won three of their last four games after losing eight of the previous nine. “Pitching, defense, timely hitting,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “That’s what it was.”

Angels’ Recent Performance and Strategy

The Angels got a strong performance from starter Jose Soriano on Saturday and will look to right-hander Carson Fulmer (0-2, 3.83 ERA) to start the finale, likely turning it into a bullpen game. Fulmer has faced Seattle three times in his career (one start), posting a 1-0 record with a 4.32 ERA, allowing four runs (including two homers) and striking out six over 8 1/3 innings.

Player Highlights and Key Performances

Reliever Ben Joyce was impressive on Saturday, throwing 13 strikes on 18 pitches in the seventh inning and striking out the top three hitters in the Mariners’ lineup with the tying run in scoring position. The 23-year-old has tossed 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings and has recently added a sinker and changeup to his repertoire. “I think it’s another one of those things where the more I throw it, the more comfortable I feel with it,” Joyce said. “Just the few times I’ve thrown it now, it feels great. I feel comfortable throwing it, so I think that’s something I could definitely throw more.”

Conclusion

The Mariners aim to revive their offense and secure a series split against the Angels. With Logan Gilbert starting and Carson Fulmer pitching for Los Angeles, fans can expect an exciting and competitive matchup. Both teams are making strategic changes to their lineups and bullpens, adding to the intrigue of this crucial game.