Tigers deal listless M’s a fifth straight loss

DETROIT — Well, hello third place.

The Mariners’ ongoing skid deepened Wednesday in a 5-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers that simultaneously dropped them into third place, behind Houston, in the American League West Division.

Detroit right fielder Steven Moya hit two home runs off Mariners starter Hisashi Iwakuma, who lasted just 42⁄3 innings. Moya entered the game with only one homer in 79 career at-bats over parts of three seasons.

It’s been a dizzying June swoon for the Mariners, who lost their fifth straight game.

They began play on June 3 tied with Texas atop the division. Less than three weeks later, the Mariners find themselves trailing the Rangers by 101⁄2 games — and the Astros by one-half game.

“I don’t want to say frustration,” second baseman Robinson Cano said, “because to say frustration is like you’re blaming it on something. I always say that if you win as a team, you lose as a team.

“We’re losing, but I don’t want to say frustration.”

The Mariners also fell back to .500 at 36-36. They were 10 games over .500, at 28-18, after a 13-3 victory over Oakland on May 25. They need a victory Thursday to avoid a four-game sweep at Comerica Park.

“There’s a lot of ball left to play,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “We’re all disappointed in how this road trip has gone (at 2-7 with Thursday’s finale against the Tigers still to play).

“I say all of that, but there is — there are plenty of teams that have been in this spot before, at .500, and then get it going and end up having a really nice season. We’ve certainly seen it. We’re capable of it.

“We’ve got to go out and do it.”

While the Mariners lost their four previous games after building early leads — multi-run leads in three of the four — this one was all Detroit from the beginning. The Mariners finished with just three hits.

Miguel Cabrera’s two-out homer in the first inning opened the scoring. He timed and squared up a 71-mph Iwakuma curve for a 407-foot drive to left for a 1-0 lead.

Iwakuma found two-out trouble in the second inning when Jose Iglesias lined a two-run doubled over Nori Aoki’s head in left field after singles by Moya and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Detroit led 3-0.

“When I started off,” Iwakuma said, “I left that pitch up in the zone to Cabrera. It was a curveball, and he got to it. He didn’t miss that pitch. And the fastball that I wanted away came in on Iglesias for a double.

“Those were the two mistakes early on, and they kind of took advantage from there.”

Moya’s first homer came when leading off the fourth. The Tigers had a chance to blow open the game after loading the bases later in the inning, but Iwakuma struck out Victor Martinez for the third time.

For all that, Detroit starter Michael Fulmer couldn’t complete the necessary five innings for the victory even though he had retired 10 in a row before walking Adam Lind to start the fifth.

After Steve Clevenger served a one-out single into center, Fulmer hit successive batters, Aoki and Leonys Martin, to force in a run.

That quickly, Fulmer was gone.

Kyle Ryan (2-2) took over with one out and the bases still loaded. The Mariners countered by using Franklin Gutierrez as a pinch-hitter for Seth Smith.

The Mariners settled for one run. Gutierrez struck out, and Robinson Cano grounded out to first. They never threatened again — and the Tigers got that one run back on Moya’s second homer later in the inning.

“I thought we had a shot there with the bases loaded,” Servais said. “We were starting to get back into the game. We needed a couple of big hits. It didn’t happen.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.