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. Obligatory Credit score: Charles Leclerc-USA TODAY Sports activities What a distinction every week makes. Sadly for the Seattle Mariners, that is not 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.
Coming 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 hold going,” Mariners middle fielder Julio Rodriguez stated. “Clearly, it is robust proper now. However I really feel like in the event you imagine in your self, regardless of the way you wish to take a look at it, you may 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 isn’t 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 suitable-hander allowed 9 hits and 7 runs in 4 2/3 innings in opposition to Pittsburgh final season.
The Pirates enter the sequence finale on Sunday, focusing on their first three-game profitable streak since July 28-30 and first sweep since a three-game profitable streak in opposition to 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 somewhat rocky, however we confirmed right now and yesterday that as a group we nonetheless play effectively.”
The Bats have been sturdy of their first two video games, scoring 12 runs in opposition to a Seattle pitching workers that entered Saturday’s recreation with the main leagues’ greatest group ERA.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa performed a giant function 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 checklist (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 needed and needed,” 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 group is actually, actually good and able to doing one thing particular right here.”
The Buccaneers are hoping for a giant efficiency from Jake Woodford (0-4, 5.87), who will make his profession debut in opposition to Seattle.
–Scene-level media
