" 𝔹𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕢𝕦𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕓𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥 "

Gilbert (7-5) relied mostly on his slider and four-seam fastball. He threw 36 sliders, sitting right around 90 mph with the pitch. His 28 fastballs in the outing were consistently between 95 and 97 mph through his seven frames.

“Awesome job by Logan today,” manager Scott Servais said. “What a trip he’s had. A complete game, then today, just on top of his stuff. We’ve really seen the emergence of his breaking balls. The slider, the curveball. He still has a good fastball, but he’s really pitching well. Not just throwing well. He’s pitching well.”

Servais said throwing the slider as much as Gilbert did was part of the plan.

“I thought he threw an outstanding slider in San Francisco the other day,” Servais said. “He carried it over into today’s game. If you look at the development -- and we talk about our pitching development all the time -- these guys are not a finished product. Even Logan, as established as he is in this league, he’s

focused on getting better, and the quality of his secondary pitches has gone through the roof.”

The Astros did not get a lot of hard contact against Gilbert, hitting just one ball with an exit velocity of over 100 mph. Martín Maldonado’s solo home run in the sixth was hit at an exit velocity of 99.9 mph and barely got over the fence and the glove of Teoscar Hernández.

“Anything you leave over the plate, they have a good shot at it, especially against the fastball,” Gilbert said. “I think just a steady mix today. Cal [Raleigh] did a great job. … The way we mixed up pitches. I felt like the slider was good. I went to the curveball late, and that helped out a lot.”

Gilbert improved to 6-1 with a 3.26 ERA in 11 starts on the road this season. For his career, Gilbert improved to 19-4 with a 3.58 ERA away from Seattle.

Paul Sewald Secures the Mariners 3-1 Win vs. Astros

 

 

Three-straight series wins!

 

More of this Matt Brash, please and thank you.

Paul Sewald came on to save the game,

Teoscar Hernández Floats an RBI Double to Left-Center

 

playin' the hits

 

Matt Brash worked a scoreless eighth, and Paul Sewald pitched the ninth for his 17th save.

Seattle opened a 3-0 lead in the fourth on an RBI double by Hernández and a two-run double by Jarred Kelenic. The three runs were all Gilbert needed, and the victory put the Mariners back above .500 at the break at 45-44 after winning seven of their last nine games.

“It’s definitely good to finish the first half rolling,” J.P. Crawford said. “We get these couple days to check out, regroup and finish strong. We ended the first half on a positive note, and hopefully, we keep it going when we get back."

Jarred Kelenic Laces a Two-Run Double to Right-Center

Jarred had been up earlier in the game and ground out weakly on a changeup from Astros pitcher Brandon Bielak. Bielak tried to get him again on the changeup, but this time, Jarred was ready:

Jarred turned that hit into a double, because of course he did, although it wasn’t exactly softly-hit, at 101 mph EV.

Seattle sits six games back of first place Texas in the AL West and four games out of the last AL Wild Card spot entering the break following the 5-2 road trip through San Francisco and Houston.

“Really outstanding road trip,” Servais said. “We needed to respond. Our guys certainly did. We played against two really good teams and to win their last series in a row gives us a little boost going into the All-Star break.

“It hasn’t been an easy first half. There have been some struggles, but you look at where we’re at now, and we’re a game over .500. We’ll get a chance to catch our breath a little bit for four days and come out and hopefully, get back after it on the homestand.”

The decline in slider usage hasn’t just been a one-day phenomenon. According to Statcast, Woo has thrown progressively less sliders in each of his starts. Instead, the cutter -- almost a faster version of the slider with less movement -- has replaced it in recent starts. After he threw six cutters on June 27, Woo

followed with 10 his next start and 19 on Saturday night.

He was able to command it and throw it in for strikes, allowing for an efficient 78 pitches in six innings. And given that it was in question whether Woo would even be allowed to make his final start before the All-Star break -- or be given extended time off to curb his workload like George Kirby last year -- the strong

start was a big win for the rookie.

José Caballero Lines an RBI Single to Tie the Game

Woo has already far surpassed his 2022 innings total (57) after Saturday pushed him to 78 2/3 frames thrown in 2023 between the Majors and Minors. But the way the 23-year-old has evolved and proven himself as a Major League-worthy starter, it could be tough to keep him off the mound.

“I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot. Arm and body feel good,” Woo said. “I know that [the club] is kind of monitoring the innings a little bit. Day like today, where the pitch count wasn’t too high but got into the sixth, it’s frustrating as a competitor.

“But at the same time, you see where they’re coming from. … You respect their decision, and then you just do the best you can with it and continue to get better throughout the year.”

“George likes pitching against the best teams in the league, and certainly Houston is one of them,” manager Scott Servais said. “So he gets up for it.”

Facing an Astros’ lineup missing Yordan Alvarez and Altuve to injury, Kirby took care of business by doing what he does at a historic pace: throwing strikes. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on six hits.

The right-hander “wasn’t the sharpest we’ve seen him,” Servais said. Some hard-hit batted balls found fielders, and Kirby notched just six swings-and-misses and three strikeouts. But he hardly needed any more in an efficient 93-pitch outing, which included three six-pitch innings and one walk.

“We kept trying to get in the stretch. We couldn't get that leadoff man on and he wasn't walking people,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “He was getting strike one, which is the secret to pitching, really.”

Kirby relied on his slider -- which was up 1.6 mph compared to his season average -- and showcased a strength Servais has repeatedly mentioned as a key development toward the right-hander’s 3.09 ERA in his sophomore season: game planning and attacking hitters’ weaknesses.

“I just tried to stay in on them, make them uncomfortable [and] used the slider a lot,” Kirby said. “[The slider] feels really good. I’m able to locate it really well, throw it a little harder. And it’s still got good movement. So I’m in a good place with it.”

Kirby’s lone run allowed came in the seventh on a ground ball that barely eked fair past the third-base bag for an RBI double. And while there was no effort to sway Servais to let him close the seventh this time around, Kirby exited by  putting a bow on a special first half.

His final outing before his first All-Star Game appearance gave Kirby the American League lead in quality starts (14), just ahead of Toronto’s Kevin Gasuman. He leads the Majors in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.9) with the lowest walk rate (0.84 BB/9) of all qualified pitchers.

Unlike the Game 3 ALDS outing, the Mariners gave Kirby plenty of run support this time. Eugenio Suárez went deep twice for his 14th career multi-homer game, J.P. Crawford hit a solo shot and Raleigh lined an RBI single along with two walks.

Cal Raleigh Rips RBI Single Down the Right-Field Line

 

J.P. Crawford Backhands and Fires for the Out

@jp_crawford's glove ✨ is gold ✨

Eugenio Suárez's two-homer night

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Eugenio Suárez Drills a Two-Run Home Run in 2nd

 

EUGENIOOOOOO @GEICO 420 feet that direction.

 

Eugenio Suárez Rips Solo Homer to Straightaway Center

The single scored Suárez after he doubled in his 5,000th plate appearance, with his wife and two kids sitting right behind the dugout cheering.

“It was a very special moment for me,” Suárez said. “I was able to see my kids and wife happy and cheering for me. … They live in Miami, go to school in Miami and right now, I’m enjoying [the time] I have with them the most I can because most of the time they aren’t [able to come]." 

Suárez’s night at the plate and Kirby’s performance on the mound propelled the Mariners to their fifth win in the last six games. And the way the young right-hander is pitching and progressing, there will be a lot more similar wins coming in the future. Maybe even in big playoff games.

J.P. Crawford Clubs Solo Homer to Right Field (8)

Similarly to his April 14 start against Colorado, when he gave up one run in 4 2/3 innings, he’ll likely be designated for assignment on Thursday to open his 40-man roster spot. If he clears waivers, Milone could return to Triple-A Tacoma and remain a depth piece if needed -- which could certainly be the case as the

Mariners monitor the second-half workloads of rookies Miller and Bryan Woo, who wowed in his homecoming to the Bay Area on Monday.

“It's something that I'm used to, I guess, at this point,” the 36-year-old Milone said of going up and down. “I don't know if that makes it any better. Again, I'm grateful for the opportunity. So, each time I come up, I just want to show up and show them the pitcher that I am and how I have been doing down in Triple-A.”

Next up for the Mariners is a four-gamer in Houston, a venue that they know all too well but haven’t returned to since a tense American League Division Series last October. Seattle is 7-32 at Minute Maid Park since the start of 2019 (including postseason), with only one series win there in that stretch.

“Houston hasn't always been kind to us,” Servais said. “But you've got to go in there and you've got to get after it. They're not 100 percent healthy, but we've got to go in and play well and pitch well and get timely hits. That’s what it takes on the road.”

Yet for all of their struggles there, this weekend represents a huge opportunity for the Mariners to finish the first half on a huge high note.

“I joked to the guys, I mean, I was halfway to second when he had the ball in his hand,” Ford said. “I don't think it would've worked out. ... If it didn't hit that little side wall, I would have tried it. But I'm happy with the day.”

The Mariners are back to .500 (42-42), and after a rough stretch that had their season approaching a tipping point, maybe they’ve turned a corner.

 

 

🔱 Mike Ford Knocks Four Hits including a Homer in Win 🔱

Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Today in Mariners history:

2002 - RHP Freddy Garcia outdueled Minnesota Twins starter Juan Rincon with 7.0 inning, one run outing, handing off to Arthur Rhodes and Kazuhiro Sasaki for a 2-1 win. Mark McLemore went 3-3 with a double and triple.

They also broke a scoreless tie against Webb in the fourth when the righty spiked a changeup for a wild pitch in an 0-2 count against Dylan Moore, which allowed Hernández to score from third -- also with the bases loaded.

The Mariners struck out 11 times against Webb but also had nine baserunners. 

“I thought the approach was good all night, to be honest with you,” manager Scott Servais said. “Webb has got really good stuff. ... We figured it would be a tight game.”

Woo Wows in Return Home

Woo for you! Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

 

The Mariners were only in the tight tilt thanks to an impressive performance by Woo, who grew up across the Bay a huge Giants fan and who had a massive crowd of family and friends in attendance -- including his 93-year-old grandfather, who was watching him for the first time in person. 

Woo twirled six innings, a mark he reached just twice at Double-A Arkansas before debuting in the Majors on June 3. His lone blemish was a fastball way above the zone that Blake Sabol crushed for a two-run homer in the fourth.

“You can't really be mad at making a pitch like that and just kind of tip your cap and try to get on to the next guy,” said Woo, who other than the homer, gave up just two hits and two walks among 23 batters faced, while striking out seven. And he retired each of his final seven batters after the homer. 

Since surrendering six earned runs in his MLB debut in Arlington, Woo has given up just five earned runs in 26 2/3 innings (2.36 ERA) in his ensuing five starts.

The Fireworks Started a little Early.

 

 

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

Hi, @M_Hanny17! Thank You Mitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariners fans in 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗔

 

Mariners trade Chris Flexen and Trevor Gott to da Mets in exchange for Zach Muckenhirn and the right to not pay Chris Flexen

Start the Prelander Hug Watch in Arkansas

But the Mariners immediately responded with four runs of their own. Julio Rodríguez and Ty France ripped consecutive doubles, then France reached third base after a nasty collision with Paredes, who was attempting to field a grounder from Teoscar Hernández on a would-be putout but was instead forced to exit.

Jarred Kelenic followed with an RBI double to the opposite field and Mike Ford ripped a two-run single to make it a one-run game.

In the interim, Castillo retired 11 of his final 12 batters after surrendering his final run.

Murphy’s homer in the sixth tied the game, then Seattle loaded the bases in the seventh for Caballero, who drew the HBP on the first pitch. Moreover, he rebounded from committing a costly error that sparked the Rays’ rally in the third.

“I don't often do it, but sometimes just go put your arm around the player and say, 'Hey, check yourself. You're going to have a chance to win the game,’” Servais said. “And lo and behold, he's standing at the plate with the bases loaded."

José Caballero Drives in Go-Ahead Run with HBP (Hit-By-Pitch)

The season is only one game beyond the halfway point. But at 40-42, with six teams ahead of them in the AL Wild Card standings and with the chance to build confidence this week against the Giants (46-37) and Astros (46-38), there’s a platform for the Mariners to lean into the messaging from Friday’s meeting and

emerge in the second half on an upward swing.

“We have to lean on each other a lot, but I think this group knows what we're capable of,” France said. “We're a really good baseball team. We just haven't been consistent this year.”

Andrés Muñoz After His 100th Career Game!

Interview with Andrés Muñoz 7/1/23 before game 2 of the series against the Tampa Bay Rays in Seattle. Muñoz pitched in the game the night before, which was his 100th career game.

Kirby didn’t just keep going; he punctuated the day by emptying the tank with a 1-2-3 seventh inning, capped by consecutive strikeouts on his four-seam fastball, at 96.2 mph against Josh Lowe and 96.5 mph against Jose Siri. He reached a career-high-tying 101 pitches and carried a no-hitter into the sixth before

surrendering a one-out double to Yandy Díaz two at-bats before the homer. 

For a team that needed a stopper in the wake of three straight losses that’s tipped their season to a teetering point, Kirby delivered.

“He's a dog, that's how I'd describe it,” said teammate Jarred Kelenic, who punched an RBI single shortly after Kirby’s homer that gave the Mariners a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

“I love everything about his mentality, the way he goes about his business, the way he conducts himself on the mound,” Kelenic continued. “Like I said, he's a dog."

Kelenic Rips a Single to put Seattle Ahead, 3-2

Kirby knew the stakes of Saturday’s game, particularly after the Mariners’ bullpen threw 5 2/3 innings and gave up 13 runs on Friday after Bryce Miller was forced to exit with a right middle finger blister and that the Mariners were going up against strikeout artist Tyler Glasnow, who racked up 11 punchouts on

Saturday.

“That is just taking matters into your own hands,” manager Scott Servais said. “Hell of an effort really just from the get-go. Super focused, locked in, really disappointed he gave up the two-run homer. But he went out there and got three big outs after that."

Hernández's two-run double

Teoscar Hernández Rips a Two-Run Double in the Gap

It’s not just the final results that shined, but also, the avenues that Kirby took to get there. He threw six different pitches on Saturday, toyed with them out of the zone -- even if his strike-throwing speciality made it hard to do so -- and showed a blossoming acumen. With their young starters, particularly Miller and

Bryan Woo, the Mariners have deliberately encouraged them to not overthink and focus more on their strengths.

They’ve done that with Kirby, too, but they believe he’s taking the next step to becoming a more well-rounded pitcher.

“George has the weapons and the tools and execution to pitch to a scouting report,” Servais said. “And when he's on his game, that's what he's doing. He's using his best [stuff] against maybe an area where the hitter may be weaker at handling a certain pitch. It's moving in the right direction.”

Kelenic ripped a double to the right-center gap in the second, then Mike Ford drove him in with an opposite-field knock to open the scoring. In the third, J.P. Crawford ripped a 385-foot homer off Glasnow, his seventh of the season to eclipse his 2022 total. Seattle knew its best chances to strike was with its lefties in

the lineup. 

“Everybody in the lineup, really, we were just trying to get pitches in the heart of the plate and stay up the middle the other way,” Kelenic said. “I thought we did a really good job today of staying the other way."

 

 

Cal-boy Baby!!

 

 

 

🔱 J.P. Crawford Drills a Solo Homer to Right-Center (7) 🔱

It was a crisp, sound game that the Mariners sorely needed, but even more so, it ended in a victory against one of the Majors’ best teams. They’ve exhibited these types of encouraging performances before -- and they recognize that sustainability will be the next step. 

“That's the question,” Servais said. “I think it starts with a really good starting pitching. We’ll run another really good starter [Luis Castillo] out there tomorrow.”