August 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter O’Neal Cruz (15) steals second base within the fourth inning at PNC Park whereas Seattle Mariners shortstop Leo Rivas ( 76) was tagged within the fourth inning. Necessary Credit score: Charles Leclerc-USA TODAY Sports activities What a distinction every week makes. Sadly for the Seattle Mariners, that is not a very good factor.
On August 11, the Mariners had been tied with the Houston Astros for first place within the American League West and a couple of 1/2 behind for the ultimate wild-card spot.
Getting into Sunday, that they had misplaced 5 straight, had been 4 video games behind the Astros and had misplaced the wild card and had been hoping to keep away from being swept by the host Pittsburgh Pirates within the three-game sequence finale.
“Keep sturdy and maintain going,” Mariners heart fielder Julio Rodriguez stated. “Clearly, it is powerful proper now. However I really feel like should you consider in your self, regardless of the way you wish to take a look at it, you will get out of no matter you are in.”
The Mariners tied the sport 1-1 within the second inning and tied it 3-2 within the fifth inning on Saturday, however the Pirates misplaced 7-2. It was the fourth time within the final 5 video games that Seattle has scored not more than two runs; the opposite time, in Friday’s opener, was the Mariners’ three.
“We did not play effectively. There is not any technique to sugarcoat it,” supervisor Scott Servais stated after his membership struck out 14 Saturday.
George Kirby (8-9, 3.42 ERA) will get the nod for the Mariners, who gave up a career-high 11 runs (6 ERA) in Tuesday’s 15-1 loss to the Tigers ) and search a rebound. The correct-hander allowed seven runs on 9 hits in 4 2/3 innings towards Pittsburgh final season.
The Pirates enter the sequence finale on Sunday aiming for his or her first three-game profitable streak since July 28-30 and first sweep since a three-game profitable streak towards the Chicago White Sox from July 12-14. sequence.
“It feels good,” O’Neal Cruz stated. “The most important factor right here is we by no means misplaced focus. Issues had been a bit rocky, however we confirmed as we speak and yesterday that as a workforce we nonetheless play effectively.”
The Bats have been sturdy of their first two video games, permitting 12 runs towards Seattle pitchers, who entered Saturday’s recreation with the majors’ greatest workforce ERA.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa performed an enormous position in that, going 3-for-4 with a homer and two runs on Saturday to maneuver into the leadoff spot, whereas Andrew Andrew McCutchen was positioned on the 10-day injured record (left knee irritation).
Since being acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on the commerce deadline, he has been a key addition to Pittsburgh’s lineup, hitting .296 in 13 video games.
“It’s good to be in a spot the place I really feel wished and wished,” Keena-Falefa stated. “I’m actually excited to have the ability to assist these younger guys as a result of I really feel like this workforce is basically, actually good and able to doing one thing particular right here.”
The Buccaneers are hoping for an enormous efficiency from Jake Woodford (0-4, 5.87), who will make his profession debut towards Seattle.
–Scene-level media
