Seattle Mariners making the wrong kind of history
By David Hill
With their third loss by ten or more runs in a four game stretch, the Seattle Mariners accomplished a feat that has not been seen since 1890.
Heading into April 30, the Seattle Mariners were flying high. They led the American League West, and were one of the biggest surprises in baseball. A team that been expected to be fighting for a spot in the basement had somehow led the division for the first month of the season, defying expectations. However, it was expected that, at some point, the other shoe would drop, with the Mariners returning to their expected level.
That regression has come quickly and painfully. Since their last victory on April 29, the Mariners have lost four games in a row, with three of those defeats coming by ten or more runs. The last time that happened was in 1890 by the Philadelphia A’s in the now defunct American Association.
Through Friday, the Mariners led the AL West at 18-11. Since then they have lost by 14, 13, 1 and 11.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 2, 2019
Seattle is the first team to lose 4 straight games, 3 of them by more than 10 runs, since the 1890 Philadelphia A's, an American Association team in its final week of existence.
Let’s face it – if a team is going to disband, getting annihilated like that in the final week of their existence is probably a good sign. The American Association itself lasted only one more year, disbanding after the 1891 season. At least the A’s won the AA pennant in 1883, so that cannot be taken away from them.
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While the Mariners are not in danger of disbanding, they are starting to fall back in the standings. The Astros have finally caught up, and now have a one game lead in the division. The Rangers, Angels, and current A’s franchise are all within four games. If this streak continues, Seattle could free fall from the top of the division down to the basement.
The Mariners also find themselves in an interesting place in terms of their rebuild. Braden Bishop is the only player who is 25 years old or younger to get a plate appearance this year, with seven plate appearances in three games. Meanwhile, 45 year old Ichiro Suzuki had six plate appearances this year.
In reality, the Mariners, as currently constituted, are a middle of the road veteran franchise. Even the pitching staff has just one player that is 25 years old or younger. Yet, that can work to their advantage in this situation, as the Mariners will not come to overreact to such a dreadful run.
Next. Mariners acquire Mike Wright. dark
The Seattle Mariners have accomplished a feat that has not been seen since 1890. It just was not the type of feat that they would have wanted to accomplish.