Seattle Mariners’ Manager Discusses Thought Process During Pivotal Eighth Inning of Tuesday Loss

Seattle Mariners’ Manager Reflects on Key Eighth-Inning Missed Opportunity in Tuesday Loss

After a rain delay lasting over 90 minutes, the Seattle Mariners suffered a tough 1-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. The eighth inning was particularly pivotal, with the Mariners failing to capitalize on multiple scoring chances. Here’s how manager Dan Wilson analyzed the situation after the game.

The Mariners’ loss drops their record to 27-20, ending their four-game winning streak.

Casey Lawrence took the loss despite pitching five strong innings in relief of opener Casey Legumina. He gave up one run in the third inning and allowed six hits, walking none and striking out two.

Seattle had a prime chance to either tie or take the lead in the top of the eighth inning, starting with Leody Taveras’ leadoff double, but couldn’t capitalize on it.

Here’s what followed after Taveras’ double:

• Miles Mastrobuoni pinch-hit for Dylan Moore, but instead of bunting, he lined out to left field.

• Leo Rivas pinch-hit for Ben Williamson and was hit by a pitch.

• J.P. Crawford walked against reliever Cam Booser, loading the bases.

• Mitch Garver struck out while pinch-hitting for Jorge Polanco, who is still struggling against right-handed pitchers.

• Julio Rodriguez lined out to center to end the inning.

After the game, I asked Wilson about his decision to have Mastrobuoni swing away rather than bunt, a tactic the Mariners have used frequently this season.

“We’re on the road and needed a couple of runs. We were trying to take the lead right there,” Wilson explained. “Stro put together a solid at-bat but couldn’t get the bunt down. Still, we loaded the bases and gave ourselves a chance to score.”

Wilson was also asked about the team’s usual ability to come through in late-game situations but failing to do so on Tuesday.

“Yeah, we talked about that. This is what our guys do—they fight until the end. They put up some really good at-bats, and again, that inning gave us a shot,” Wilson said. “This is what these guys do best. We’ll bounce back tomorrow.”

The Mariners are set to face the White Sox again on Wednesday at 11:10 a.m. PT, though rain is expected once more, and both teams dealt with a 90-minute rain delay on Tuesday.