Even after ‘ultimate flush-it game,’ M’s offense issues linger

Play-by-play man Aaron Goldsmith dubbed it “the ultimate flush-it game.”

Which is an apropos descriptor for the Mariners’ morose matinee, an 11-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Thursday. The thud snapped Seattle’s streak of six consecutive series wins, as the Mariners dropped three of four to a stampeding Twins team that had won 15 of their past 17 games.

This was a comprehensively dispiriting dud — complete with 15 Mariner strikeouts; a five-run Twins first inning against stalwart starter Logan Gilbert; six scattered Mariner hits; two errors; and a Mitch Garver liner that ricocheted off the glove of third baseman Jose Miranda, turned right and fell flukily into shortstop Willi Castro’s waiting mitt.

It was that kind of day.

Even so, unsightly losses in a six-month baseball season are inevitable, particularly those against a surging opponent punctuating a seven-game road trip. Alone, it’s a pothole on the interstate, not the edge of a gaping cliff.

This pothole, perhaps, can be flushed, forgotten, learned from.

But concerning questions linger.

Namely: Is it nearing time to tinker with the lineup card to infuse offense?

Yes, this lineup whiffs at an alarming rate, leading the majors through Thursday in both total strikeouts (399) and strikeout percentage (28.3%). That weakness was mercilessly exposed in Minnesota, as the Mariners struck out 53 times (13.3 times per game) in a four-game set, against a Twins staff that tops MLB in strikeouts per nine innings (10.2) and strikeout rate (27.0%).

For the Mariners, this was a bad matchup. But it’s also a pervasive problem. Look down the lineup, and Cal Raleigh (33.6%), Luke Raley (31.9%), Jorge Polanco (31.2%), Mitch Garver (30.7%), Luis Urias (30.4%), Mitch Haniger (30.2%), Dylan Moore (28.4%), Julio Rodriguez (28%) and Ty France (24.8%) all owned a strikeout rate above the MLB average (22.5%).

Through 38 games, Josh Rojas is an outlier, in more ways than one.

The 29-year-old third baseman was striking out at a 17.8% clip, while also doing damage — batting .348 with a .420 on-base percentage, three homers, eight RBI and 12 runs in 28 games. But Rojas (a left-handed hitter) continues to operate in a time share with Urias at third, generally sitting against left-handed starters while moonlighting in left field as well.

Regardless of position, Rojas has earned a more regular role. His career splits against lefties are also far from catastrophe — a .253 average, .332 on-base percentage, six homers and 32 RBI in 404 plate appearances.

Point being: The Mariners must find a way to highlight their hottest hitters.

Raley being one.

In his last 10 games, the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder is 9 for 24 (.375) with a homer and three RBI. To date, the former Tampa Bay Ray has appeared in 10 games in left field, nine games in right field, four games at first base and one in center. And though he may not be a long-term answer, it’s worth wondering if Raley — who hit 19 homers in 118 games in 2023 — could provide a change of pace for the slumping France (1B) or Haniger (RF).

The aforementioned France, of course, has yet to regain his all-star form from the first half of 2022.

2022 second half (61 games): .229/.287/.390, 9 HR, 34 RBI.

2023 (158 games): .250/.337/.366, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 0.7 WAR.

2024 (34 games): .240/.301/.331, 2 HR, 9 RBI, -0.5 WAR.

Those aren’t the splits of a premium run-producer. Moreover, France’s strikeout rate (24.8%) represents a significant spike from 2023 (17.6%), 2022 (15.3%) and 2021 (16.3%). He also hit into 25 double plays last season (second in MLB), and is on pace to hit into 24 more in 2024. And in his past 10 games France was 7-for-40 (.175) with zero homers, one RBI, two walks and 14 strikeouts.

Haniger, likewise, is mired in an extended slump. The 33-year-old hadn’t had more than one hit in a game since April 16. In the ensuing 18 games he was 9-for-67 (.134) with two homers, three walks, eight RBI and 25 strikeouts. And his strikeout rate, 30.2%, would be the highest of his career.

Which is where we acknowledge that it’s relatively early. These are established veterans, and the only way to regain a rhythm is to receive regular at-bats. The most practical plan might, in fact, be a staying of the collective course — a consistent lineup card, a continued faith in France and Haniger to find their form.

But sooner or later, they have to hit. The Mariners’ rotation finally hit a momentary hiccup, after ripping off 21 consecutive starts of two runs or fewer (the longest stretch in MLB since 1917). In their last five games, Bryce Miller (4 ER in 6+ innings), Luis Castillo (3 ER in 6 2/3 innings), Emerson Hancock (4 ER in 4 innings), George Kirby (4 ER in 5 innings) and Gilbert (8 ER in 4 innings) returned to Earth. Meanwhile, an injury to trusted lefty Tayler Saucedo further strained the depth of an already embattled bullpen.

The Mariners will attempt to flush Thursday’s loss — and a three-game home set against the Oakland Athletics (18-21) is a good way to do it. That’s followed by 10 games against the formidable Kansas City Royals (22-16), Baltimore Orioles (24-12) and New York Yankees (25-14).

Likewise, there’s time for Seattle’s assortment of sputtering vets — France, Haniger, Garver, Polanco, etc. — to flush the past and move forward.

But even in May, these games all matter.