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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Log: No comeback as M’s drop series finale to Twins

Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton makes a leaping catch of a line drive hit by Seattle Mariners’ Robinson Cano during the fifth inning on June 8, 2017 in Seattle. The Twins won 2-1. (Ted S. Warren / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

WIN STREAK SNAPPED AT FIVE GAMES AS TWINS AVOID SWEEP

What happened: Kyle Gibson and three relievers limited the Seattle Mariners to seven hits, with just one extra-base hit, and the Minnesota Twins salvaged the finale of a three-game series, 2-1, at Safeco Field on Thursday.

The M’s five-game win streak was snapped. It’s the second time this season the Mariners have fought back to even their record at .500, only to lose the next game.

Gibson scattered five hits and three walks over six innings and closer Brandon Kintzler made sure there were no ninth-inning heroics in this one, tossing a 1-2-3 inning to end it.

The Mariners (30-31) had some chances, getting the leadoff hitter on base in both the seventh and eighth innings but could not find the equalizer.

Mariners starter Christian Bergman pitched well, allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over five innings. The bullpen provided four innings of shutout ball.

Guillermo Heredia and Kyle Seager had two hits apiece and Jarrod Dyson had a triple.

Line Outs

  • Bergman cruised until two down in the fourth, when he left a fastball up and Jason Castro crushed it 15 rows deep in the left-field bleachers for a solo home run, Castro’s sixth of the season.
  • The Twins picked up an unearned run in the fifth. Ehire Adrianza walked and with one out, stole second. After Bergman got Robbie Grossman to fly out, Joe Mauer hit a ball that Robinson Cano couldn’t handle – then threw away throwing behind the runner at third – and Adrianza scampered home.
  • The M’s responded in the bottom half. Jarrod Dyson led off with a triple and after Taylor Motter grounded out, Boog Powell drew a walk. Ben Gamel’s fly ball to center was deep enough to plate Dyson, and Guillermo Heredia then singled to put runners on the corners with two down for Cano.
  • Cano lined one to straight center, but Byron Buxton made a terrific play making a running, over the shoulder diving catch to rob Cano of extra bases.
  • Motter singled to lead off the seventh and moved up a base on Powell’s sacrifice. But Gamel struck out and Heredia grounded out to end the inning.
  • Cano led off the eighth with a single off the end of his bat into right field and went to second on Kyle Seager’s one-out bouncing single up the middle two batters later. But Zunino lined out to reliever Taylor Rogers and Cano was doubled up at second to end the rally.

The Takeaway

The winning streak had to end at some point. This was the second time this season the M’s have fought back to .500, only to lose the next day. They’ve scraped back to relevance though and with reinforcements coming back from the disabled list they might just be competitive yet.

Tweet of the Day

Players of the Game

Hero: Christian Bergman. He pitched more than well enough to win.

Goat: Robinson Cano. Went 1 for 4, but the double-error in the fifth proved to be the difference.

Next Game

The Seattle Mariners (30-31) host the Toronto Blue Jays (29-31) for a three-game series starting on Friday at Safeco Field. Sam Gaviglio (2-1, 3.13) faces Joe Biagini (1-4, 3.31) in the series opener at 7:10 p.m.

What others are saying (and writing)

The difference between winning and losing is not just inches but also plays. The Twins made the ones they needed to make and the Mariners, especially Cano, didn’t. An unearned run was the actual difference. … Scott Servais has held the M’s together with duct tape and fishing line. … Lefty Drew Smyly took to the mound, sort of, yesterday to throw, something he hasn’t done since spring training.