SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners (56-61) are currently 3-3 in August after suffering a 2-1 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays (69-46), Friday. This loss comes at the start of an 18-game stretch against teams that currently hold playoff spots, including two more against the Rays.  

The Mariners struggled to get the bats going from the beginning, despite the defense led by Logan Giblert on the mound keeping the game within reach. The Rays took firm control of the game with back-to-back innings with solo homers by Jonathan Aranda in the top of the second and Jonny DeLuca in the top of the third. The Mariners finally broke through in the ninth inning with a solo homer by Julio Rodriguez, but their late rally ended one run short. 

“Really well pitched game tonight on both sides,” Mariners Manager Dan Wilson said in a postgame press conference. “We had some solid contact, but nothing to show for it at times, and a couple innings where we were able to establish some traffic and get some chances, but again, weren't able to convert it at any point.” 

After the Rays took the lead, their first solo homer in the second inning, Seattle appeared ready to answer after Julio Rodríguez singled and stole second, followed by a Josh Naylor walk. Cal Raleigh then drew another walk to load the bases with two outs, but Cole Young struck out to end the threat. 

From there, Seattle’s offense, meanwhile, went down in order in the third, fourth and fifth innings. The Rays threatened in the fifth when Victor Mesa Jr doubled to left field, but Raleigh applied a tag before the runner could score. Gilbert later caught another Tampa Bay runner stealing to end the inning. 

The two teams would trade scoreless innings through the top of the ninth inning before the Mariners closed the game with one last opportunity to mount a comeback. Rodriguez stepped up to the plate after Randy Arozarena and Dominic Canzone struck out.  

After two pitches that resulted in a ball and strike, Rodriguez drilled a solo homer to left field to cut the Mariners deficit to 2-1, injecting life into the crowd at T-Mobile Park. However, Naylor struck out looking which sealed the Rays win in game one of their weekend series.  

The Mariners missed opportunity with the bases loaded in the second proved especially costly. Although their pitching and defense held the Rays scoreless over the final six innings, Seattle could not generate enough offense before its last-minute push. 

“We've talked about it, and we do get traffic. We're able to get some guys on, and the next step is getting that big hit. Right now, we haven't been able to find it, but we got to find it. We got to find it quick,” Wilson said.  

BOX SCORE: 

TB: 0-1-1-0-0-0-0-0-0: 2 

SEA: 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-1: 1 

    Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez hits a single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Friday, Aug. 7 in Seattle