Josh Lowe’s decisive solo blast and a dominant mound performance by Ryan Johnson officially derailed Seattle, ending the former contenders' hopes of a winning campaign in Anaheim.
Last postseason, Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners were one win away from making the World Series. Raleigh was the American League MVP runner-up, and if it weren't for the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle would've won the AL pennant.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels defeated the Mariners, 2-1, in Anaheim, and it means the Mariners are guaranteed a losing season in 2026.
It was a pitching duel for both sides on Tuesday night. Ryan Johnson went six innings, giving up just one run on six hits with seven strikeouts for the Angels.
Logan Gilbert got the ball for Seattle, and he also went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts.
Gilbert, however, was tagged with the loss, moving his record to 12-10, despite a strong start.
The first run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth when Vaughn Grissom had an RBI double.
However, it was short lived as Julio Rodriguez tied it up with an RBI double in the top of the sixth.
Then, Josh Lowe answered with the go-ahead solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.
The Angels bullpen threw three innings between three pitchers, and they allowed just one hit with Ryan Watson earning his third save of the year.
The Mariners used two relievers, and they also allowed just one hit.
In total, each team had seven hits, and it was a bit of a pitcher's duel as both offenses were sluggish.
It marks the first losing season for Seattle since 2019, and it's safe to say they have been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball after a stunning ALCS run last season.
The Angels are trying to avoid the 100-loss mark, and they have 93 losses with 11 games to go, and five of those are against the Mariners.
For the Angels, there were some positives, and the biggest one was another strong start from Ryan Johnson. This marks his third straight start where he has gone six innings, and he has allowed just one run each time in three of his last four outings, so there is plenty to love about what Johnson has been doing on the mound.
The Angels and Mariners cap off the three-game series on Wednesday. George Kirby takes the mound for Seattle with Yusei Kikuchi stepping on the rubber for the Angels, and both teams don't have much left to play for at this point.
