Captain Crawford in the clutch: J.P. walks off Rangers to keep the Mariners season alive
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – It looked like the clock had struck midnight on the 2023 Seattle Mariners. With a victory, the Texas Rangers were going to punch their postseason ticket and push the Mariners into the furthest possible spot towards elimination from playoff contention. This team loves to keep Seattle and its fans on the very edge of their seats, and largely stress them out, which was the case tonight as this came down to the very last out. In the sort of situation that you think of in the backyard as a child, the Mariners had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. To the plate came the team's best hitter in bases loaded scenarios, J.P. Crawford. The team's leader, on the field and in the clubhouse, delivered a dramatic single over the head of Rangers rookie left fielder Evan Carter, sending his team and the fans at T-Mobile Park into pandemonium. There will be a tomorrow for Seattle, and they have an injection of life that will be needed heading into the final weekend of the season.
University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr threw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the Seattle Mariners win on September 28th, 2023 over the Texas Rangers (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Gilbert gets little run support in another strong outing
Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert was solid in his outing against the Rangers tonight, like his performance against Texas back in their house just five days ago. Kicking off this four-game set against the Rangers, Seattle needed to ensure that they wouldn’t start in a deep hole just as they had in the first and last games of that same series down in Texas, with the exception being the game Gilbert started. While his stuff wasn’t particularly spectacular or flashy, Logan was able to avoid the free bases that have plagued Seattle in the month of September but did have his pitch count run up due to numerous foul balls from Texas.
“It’s a long line out there. Got a lot of guys in there, obviously Cal did a great job mixing all night, and defense made some great plays behind me, especially the infield there so you gotta get creative and they can cover a lot of pitches, especially in the middle of the order there, so it’s not easy, but it just comes down to execution.”
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert threw six strong innings for his team in their September 28th, 2023 victory over the Texas Rangers (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Looking into the statistics on Gilbert’s night, Logan got the Rangers to whiff 12 times over the 97 pitches that he threw in his outing. Of those 97 pitches thrown, he deployed four pitch types: heavy on the slider, with his fastball, splitter, and a knuckle-curve mixed in. Those are the four that Gilbert has relied on most this season, but his slider usage has continued to increase over the course of this year. Texas hit 25 foul balls on Logan, bumping up his pitch count significantly. Of the 16 balls that the Rangers put in play against Gilbert, only six of them were hit hard. Solo homers shouldn’t kill you as a team, but with an offense like the Mariners this September, it’s been enough to defeat them lately.
“We don’t ever get that opportunity if we don’t pitch, and what a job from Logan Gilbert. Gives up three hits, two of them happened to be homers, but he pitched awesome.”
It should be noted that Logan has really helped Seattle in terms of the workhorse ability he’s shown for them this season. Gilbert is one of three Mariners pitchers to have thrown over 180 innings this season, and Seattle is tied with the Blue Jays as the only teams in MLB to have three pitchers meet that mark. When he was first called up back in 2021, the book on Logan was that he was far too fastball reliant (which can also be said for Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, debuting this season) and since then he’s been able to greatly improve his off-speed arsenal. This has been a big season for Gilbert, recording his second straight year of recording a WAR of three, he sits in the top five of MLB in BB/9, made all 32 of his scheduled starts, had a career low in xERA, and was consistent when Seattle needed him to be. These last two starts of the regular season show that he can be your guy to show up in the big moment, holding one of the best offenses in baseball to only two runs in each game.
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez celebrates his solo homer in the fourth inning to get his team on the board (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Seattle’s top offensive stars lead the way
For the large majority of the Seattle Mariners season, their main production has come from the two players at the top of their lineup: J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodríguez. While those two have missed time at times throughout the season, you can’t deny the sort of value that they’ve brought to the table, whether that be in the clubhouse, on defense, or at the plate. Stats wise, those two sit at first (Julio) and second (J.P.) on the Mariners in WAR this year. While Julio has struggled as of late, his push in the month of August was a large factor in the Mariners having that historic month. Besides that month itself, Rodríguez sits in second in the American League in hits, just two behind a player in the other dugout right now in Marcus Semien. Crawford has been instrumental in many ways and deserves just as much credit for this team's success as Julio, considering the credited leader that he is for the team as well as his ability to not only keep the line moving when he comes to the plate, but to get the clutch hit.
Julio got things started out for the Mariners offense, but it didn’t come until the fourth inning as Seattle dragged their feet through the first three frames, getting only a walk from designated hitter Sam Haggerty in the third inning. Rodríguez sent a solo homer just barely over the right field wall and despite the best efforts of Adolis García attempting to rob it, the opposite field shot put the Mariners on the board. The Mariners continued to get the occasional runner on base but were 0-6 with runners in scoring position going into the ninth inning and had left six runners on base. It seemed like the same inefficient, chasing Seattle team was going to go down quietly into the night without a peep. Even against a team that has struggled heavily when going to their bullpen in the Rangers, the Mariners offense wasn’t able to make the necessary offense to repay their pitching staff for keeping them in a one-run ballgame. Then came the final frame and Texas had called up Aroldis Chapman to try and slam the door shut. What Seattle ended up doing resembled busting that door off its hinges.
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford hits the walkoff single off Texas Rangers reliever Jonathan Hernandez and over the head of rookie outfielder Evan Carter to win on Septembter 28th, 2023 (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
“It’s pretty incredible what he’s done all year. That kind of sums up his season, when you go back and think about big moments or big games, he’s come through most of the time. That’s kind of who he’s been, yesterday with the leadoff homer, he’s the sparkplug that gets us going.”
Chapman was nowhere near prepared, giving up back-to-back singles to Cal Raleigh and Dylan Moore before a Ty France walk loaded the bases, as France could’ve gone up to the plate without a bat and still drawn a walk. The bases were loaded, there were no outs, the crowd was losing it’s mind, and the Mariners only trailed by a run. Things surely kept going their way following that build up, right? Wrong, as pinch hitters Mike Ford (for Sam Haggerty) and Josh Rojas (for Jose Caballero) flew out and popped out, respectively. Seattle had come down to the last out of the night, and to the plate came their best hitter with the bases loaded in J.P. It didn’t start out clean for Crawford, as an inside pitch was called a strike by home plate umpire Ryan Blakney, but the Mariners shortstop didn’t waver. Two pitches later, J.P. took a sinker around the heart of the plate the opposite way to left field, sailing free over the head of rookie Texas outfielder Evan Carter and up against the wall. Cal Raleigh crossed home to tie the game, before Dylan Moore scored to win it. Cue the eruption of the ballpark, as there will be a tomorrow for the Mariners and their 2023 season.
The Seattle Mariners celebrate with shortstop J.P. Crawford after his walkoff single to beat the Texas Rangers on September 28th, 2023. J.P. was doused with water twice, as Julio Rodriguez and Ty France splashed their teammate during his interview with Root Sports’ Jen Mueller. (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
‘Pen report
In this ballgame against the Rangers, the Mariners deployed three relievers after Logan Gilbert’s outing finished after the sixth inning: Isaiah Campbell, Gabe Speier, and Andrés Muñoz. All three of them, in the critical moment that this game was, were excellent as they kept the tough Texas offense off the board and held on in hopes that their offense was going to pull through in the clutch. It took a little bit, but that eventually did happen. Although he walked the first batter he faced in Adolis García, Isaiah Campbell was rock solid as he got the next three batters to go down. Gabe Speier had a remarkable effort in this ballgame, retiring the side in order in the eighth before getting the first two outs of the top of the ninth inning. Then, with García up to the plate once again and looking to extend a lead that he contributed to, the Mariners called upon Andrés Muñoz who was able to get the Rangers right fielder to fly out. With a few of their relievers down due to prior usage, Seattle got amazing outings from all three that they called to the bullpen for.
“Big inning out of Campbell, and then Speier, for me, getting the five outs there was huge as well.”
Seattle Mariners left-handed reliever Gabe Speier played a big role in tonight’s win, recording five crucial outs for the team (Photo by Bryan Saldana)
They’ve got a pulse
Yes, I understand things looked very bad after last night’s loss to the Astros, they still aren’t great. Yes, I had my doubts that this team was going to be able to come back from the sort of defeats that they had in that Houston series. Yes, it looked like a tall task to be able to open things up against a Rangers team looking to clinch their playoff spot. But the name of the game with this Mariners team has been resilience for the past three seasons. Whether that be Logan Gilbert only allowing three hits in a huge game (he’s got a thing for big games, remember who started that game and went eight innings?), the bullpen using names that weren’t the biggest and holding Texas scoreless, or the Seattle offense taking immediate advantage of Aroldis Chapman’s lack of control. Fans of the Mariners know that this team will suck every little ounce of hope that you have and inject it right back into you when death seems nigh. It must again be stated that this isn’t through the woods just yet for Seattle, they will have to win more games and likely the series against Texas to even have a chance at the postseason. With that being said, this sort of victory is the kind of boost that the Mariners may have needed.
“Nobody thought this would be easy, and you know, we’re in their park and give them credit. They fought back and then found a way to win that ballgame.”
The crowd in attendance at T-Mobile Park for this game between the Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners was ready to burst all night long, getting to do so with Crawford’s walk off (Photos by Bryan Saldana)
Quick notes
Tonight’s attendance at T-Mobile Park was 43,817
The yellow boat won today’s Hydro Challenge
2023 standings so far
Red boat – 28
Green boat – 26
Yellow boat – 24
The Mariners won tonight’s series opener by a 3-2 score on a walk-off 2-run double by J.P. Crawford.
Seattle is now 1.0 game back of Houston for the 3rd Wild Card spot and Toronto holds the 2nd Wild Card spot after today’s 6-0 win against the Yankees, 2.0 games above Seattle.
The Mariners trail the Rangers for the Division title by 3.0 games.
In 1-run games, the Mariners are now 24-26.
J.P. Crawford hit his 4th career walk-off hit tonight, his first since 9/29/22 also vs. the Rangers (a year ago tomorrow, also vs. TEX & also with Dylan Moore scoring game-winning run), and his first career walk-off with the team trailing.
Crawford is batting .667 (10x15) with 22 RBI in 16 plate appearances with the bases loaded this season.
He extended his on-base streak to 7 games (9/22-c) tonight following a single in the 5th inning…over that 7-game span, Crawford is batting .296 (8x27) and reaching base at a .406 clip.
In his 32nd start of the season, Logan Gilbert threw 6.0 IP and allowed 3 hits, 2 runs (2 ER), 0 walks, 2 home runs and struck out 5 over 97 pitches…he retired the first 7 batters in order and struck out 3 of the first 6 batters he faced.
Gilbert recorded his 9th outing of 6.0+ innings pitched and 3-or-fewer hits tonight, which now ties him for the American League with Gerrit Cole-NYY for the most such outings this year.
He ranks tied 4th among all Major League starters in outings with 6.0+ IP and 3-or-fewer hits (also: Cole-NYY and Spencer Strider-ATL).
Tonight marked Gilbert’s 18th quality start of the season, extending his single-season career-high (previously: 16 in 2022)...he ties for 7th most in the American League (also: Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray-MIN and Kyle Bradish-BAL) and tied 2nd most by a Mariners starter this season (also: Castillo, highest: George Kirby – 19 G).
Gilbert did not issue a walk tonight, his 8th walk-less start over a minimum of 5.0+ innings this season…it ties him for the 4th most such outings in the American League this year (also: Zack Greinke-KC), trailing Kirby’s Major League-leading 13 games.
Gilbert also has 21 starts with 5.0+ innings pitched and 1-or-fewer walks allowed this year…his 21 outings tie with Kirby for the 3rd most such games by any Major League starter this season, trailing only Logan Webb-SF (23 G) and Zach Eflin-TB (22 G).
Following tonight, Gilbert has pitched 5.0+ innings in 28 of his 32 starts this season…he ranks tied 5th for the most such outings by any American League starter this year (also: Chris Bassitt-TOR, Sonny Gray-MIN and Framber Valdez-HOU)…Castillo leads all AL starters in 5.0+ inning outings this season with 32.
Julio Rodríguez hit his 32nd home run of the season to give the Mariners their first run of the night…it was his 12th home run hit on an 0-0 count this year and 18th in his career.
Rodríguez leads all Major League hitters age 22-or-younger in home runs this season, ranking above Gunnar Henderson-BAL (28 HR) and Corbin Carroll-ARI (25 HR), and ranks 7th in the American League in home runs this year.
He is the first hitter age 22-or-younger with a 30+ home run season since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (48 HR) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (42 HR) both did so in 2021.
Rodríguez, who became the first player in MLB history with 50+ doubles, 50+ home runs & 50+ stolen bases through his first 2 seasons, has now reached 60+ doubles, 60+ homers & 60+ stolen bases.
Cal Raleigh picked up a pair of singles tonight’s game to record his 32nd multi-hit game of the season…he has hit safely in 3 of the 4 games this homestand so far.
Over the last 10 games (9/17-c), Raleigh is batting .286 (12x42) with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 3 walks.
Eugenio Suárez led off the 6th inning with his 28th double of the year, extending a career-high (previously: 25 in 2016 and 2017…
Sam Haggerty reached base safely on walks in the 3rd and 7th innings tonight…it marked his first multi-walk game of the season (6th career) and 7th game this year reaching base 2+ times.
He stole his 10th base of the season following his walk in the 3rd inning…Haggerty is 10-for-11 in stolen bases this season and is 3 shy of his single-season career-high of 13 stolen bases set in 2022.
Dylan Moore went 1-for-3 with 1 walk tonight, reaching base safely twice in a game for the 15th time this season.
The Mariners bullpen tonight (Isaiah Campbell, Gabe Speier & Andrés Muñoz) combined for 3.0 innings and allowed 1 walk and struck out 4.
Speier tied a season-high in innings pitched and strikeouts tonight, tossing 1.2 scoreless and hitless innings with 3 strikeouts…his career high in innings pitched and strikeouts came on 5/24/22 w/ KC, where he pitched 2.0 innings and struck out 4.
What’s next?
Following the dramatics of tonight’s win, the Mariners will look to build off the momentum and ride the wave of adrenaline into the Friday, September 28th matchup against the Texas Rangers. After some speculation and unclear comments, it was up in the air who Seattle was going to have as their starting pitcher in this ballgame, but Scott Servais stated postgame that young Bryan Woo will get the ball for the Mariners to begin the biggest game of his young career. The Rangers have not yet named a starter against Seattle for this game, perhaps in part due to Texas believing that they would have won this game and were going to be able to celebrate a postseason berth, creating a situation in which they’d have a “hangover lineup” out. First pitch for this game is at 7:10PM PST, as Seattle will be wearing their City Connect jerseys. Previously announced, this weekend's games are all sold out but you can still find tickets on resale platforms.
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