Mariners’ Skid Reaches Five

Seattle lost another game 2-0 Monday (that’s four times this season) and were shut out for the seventh time this season. That mark leads the majors if you are keeping track.

Here’s the problem. The Mariners pitching staff has a collective 4.74 ERA which isn’t that astronomical when you consider that number includes Bobby Livingston (18.00 ERA) and Clint Nageotte (27.00 ERA).

Seattle also has eight players batting .250 or better for a total of 465 base hits on the year. They just can’t seem to turn base hits and solid pitching into wins consistently.

In Monday’s loss to Texas, Mariners’ starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn gave up only sic hits in seven innings and allowed no walks. The Rangers scored their runs when Mark Teixeira went yard in the sixth scoring himself and Gary Matthews Jr.

Seattle had five runners reach base, just one less than the Rangers, and left the field with a goose egg on the scoreboard. Rune support, or lack of, is killing Seattle. The Mariners had a chance to make up a game on division leading Texas and got a gift from the Royals who beat second place Oakland on Monday. Instead they lose their fifth in a row and find themselves in the division cellar.

The season is still young but opportunities are dwindling.