Mariners fall 2-1 Baltimore

BALTIMORE — Believe in first impressions?

The Seattle Mariners wheeled out their new-look attack Friday night by plugging Austin Jackson and Chris Denorfia into their lineup. And the new look looked a lot like the old look in a 2-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

Yes, it was just one game.

But, man, it looked familiar because Orioles lefty Wei-Yin Chen (12-3) virtually reprised his July 24 gem at Safeco Field by limiting the Mariners to one run and five hits in 71⁄3 innings.

“Every pitch, he throws for a strike,” second baseman Robinson Cano said. “That’s a guy who you can’t say, ‘I’m going to take one strike,” or ‘I’m going to make him pitch.’ Because everything he throws is a strike.”

The score tells you the Mariners squandered another strong pitching performance. Rookie lefty Roenis Elias, on his 26th birthday, allowed just one earned run in 52⁄3 innings.

That distinction — one earned run — is key. The Orioles broke a 1-1 tie by scoring what held up as the winning run after an error by rookie Chris Taylor in the sixth inning.

Two grounders were the difference, really. The ball that Taylor bobbled, and a two-out grounder past Cano that turned into an RBI single … the game-winning single.

“I did my job,” Elias said. “I just didn’t have the luck to win. That’s just the way the ball bounces. I pitched down and got those ground balls. They were tough plays.”

Chen departed after issuing a one-out walk in the eighth inning to Jackson. It was Chen’s first walk, after eight strikeouts, and prompted the Orioles to summon their trade-deadline addition: lefty reliever Andrew Miller.

Dustin Ackley’s grounder to second base resulted in a force out, but he then stole second and went to third on a poor throw by catcher Caleb Joseph.

Miller walked Robinson Cano, which put the go-ahead run on base, but ended the threat by retiring Kendrys Morales on a grounder to the shortstop.

Zach Britton closed out Chen’s victory for his 22nd save.

The Mariners finished with just five hits, including two by Cano. They were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Jackson was 0-for-3 with a walk; Denorfia was 0-for-4.

Manager Lloyd McClendon chose to see positives.

“I thought both of those guys made our lineup look real nice,” he said. “It’s a very competitive lineup. It’s a lineup that I’m proud to write out every day.

“I think if we play as hard and with as much energy as we played tonight, and we get that type of pitching performance, we’re going to win our share of games.”

Just not this one.

Elias (8-9) found trouble in the sixth inning when Manny Machado led off with a double to right. Adam Jones then hit a routine hopper to Taylor, who looked to make a play at third base — and bobbled the ball.

“I just didn’t make the transfer,” Taylor said. “The play was right in front of me. Maybe I tried to be a little too quick. I just didn’t handle it.”

Machado reached third, and Jones was safe at first on the error.

Elias struck out Nelson Cruz and Chris Davis on called strikes, but J.J. Hardy lined a full-count fastball up the middle, past Cano, for a two-out RBI single. It was an unearned run, but it finished Elias.

“I was there,” Cano said, “but it stayed down.”

The loss dropped the Mariners to 56-53. They began the night trailing Toronto by three games in the battle for the American League’s final wild-card berth.

One positive for the Mariners: They aren’t likely to see Chen any time soon, but twice in nine days was plenty. He overmatched them over eight innings in that 4-0 victory at Safeco Field.

This was Chen’s first start since then.

“He was working on some extra rest,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter said, “and we’ve always got a real good return for that.

“I’ll tell you, it’s tough, when you have as good an outing as he had in Seattle, to come back against that same team and have another good outing. That’s tough.”

It didn’t look tough. It looked familiar. And it looked old.

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.