Walk-off grand slam beats Mariners 8-4

MIAMI — Boy, this is starting to look familiar, isn’t it?

The losses, seemingly, are starting to feed off each other for the Mariners, who have now lost four in a row. And more than that, the losses are again coming in spectacular walk-off fashion.

The end came Friday when Giancarlo Stanton unloaded a grand slam missile against Yoervis Medina that propelled the Miami to an 8-4 victory over the Mariners at Marlins Park.

“It was a slider in the middle,” Medina said, “and he’s really good.”

So good the Mariners intentionally walked him on two other occasions. They didn’t have that option in the ninth after third baseman Kyle Seager bobbled a transfer on a force, which left the bases loaded with no outs.

“That’s just the way it goes,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “It’s unfortunate because we really tried to stay away from him all night. He’s the one guy in that lineup who can really hurt you. We had no choice there.”

Seager’s error came two days after a poor toss by shortstop Brad Miller on a possible game-ending force play fueled a ninth-inning collapse in a loss at Texas.

“I thought I caught the ball on the base,” Seager said. “And then I tried to transfer it over there to maybe make a throw to first. That’s when I bobbled it, but I felt I caught the ball on the base.”

Replays confirmed that’s exactly what happened but, this year, that bobble negates the force. While Lance Barrett initially signaled an out, Miami manager Mike Redmond challenged the call. Replays reversed it.

That brought Stanton to the plate. He already had two singles in addition to his two walks, but he also committed a three-base error in the second inning by misplaying Dustin Ackley’s single. Two runs scored on the play.

“I knew this game was going to be lost or won because of me,” Stanton said. “I was like, ‘If I get a chance to hit, I’d better take care of it, because of what I did earlier in the game.’ It was definitely in my mind as a duty.”

Medina jumped ahead 1-2 and came in with a slider that Stanton drove over the left-field wall. And, really, it was hard to be surprised.

This was the Mariners’ second walk-off loss in three days and third of the season in 16 games. That makes 52 walk-off losses since the start of the 2010 margin — the worst number, by far, of any team in the majors.

Seager tersely dismissed the suggestion that it’s starting to feel like last year, saying: “No, it’s a completely different group this year.”

It’s possible, of course, the Mariners are just in the sort of rough patch that every club hits at some point, although they are 6-for-28 during the past four games with runners in scoring position.

They also again taxed their bullpen when their starter failed to make it past the fourth inning for the third time in four games. Chris Young exited after giving up four runs and seven hits in three innings.

“Just never got in a rhythm,” said Young, who worked six scoreless innings in his previous start. “Never felt comfortable. Didn’t execute the way I need to, and the results showed it.”

The Marlins built leads of 2-0, 3-2 and 4-2 for starter Nathan Eovaldi, but the Mariners pulled even on Corey Hart’s two-out RBI single in the seventh against A.J. Ramos.

Nothing went right for the Mariners in the ninth.

First, Steve Cishek (1-0) blew through Miller, Robinson Cano and Hart in the top of the inning. Reed Johnson then started the winning rally with a pinch-hit single.

Christian Yelich followed with a terrific bunt up the first-base line. Instead of a sacrifice, he turned it into a single, which meant the Marlins had runners at first and second with no outs.

Marcell Ozuna also tried to put down a sacrifice bunt, but Medina made a sparkling bare-handed pickup and turned it into a force at third.

Or so it seemed.

The replay confirmed Seager’s bobble, which left the bases loaded with no outs.

For Stanton.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.