The Mariners were beaten in the middle game of the three-game set and will need to win on Thursday to take the series.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The Seattle Mariners started the game with three straight hits and one run but weren't able to get anything going beyond that on Wednesday, falling 11-1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
With the loss, the Mariners are now 41-40 on the campaign. They remain in first place in the American League West and will look to take the series in Thursday's early morning matinee.
Here's what you need to know, in no particular order.
Early traffic, success for M's
Braxton Ashcraft came into the game with a 6-3 record and a 3.18 ERA for Pittsburgh. He flashed impressive stuff right from the get-go, throwing 98 mph to leadoff hitter JP Crawford.
However, Crawford ripped a single with two strikes and advanced to third on a single by Cal Raleigh. He scored on a single by Julio Rodriguez that made it 1-0.
Unfortunate at-bat follows
With runners at first and second with nobody out, Josh Naylor struck out before Randy Arozarena just missed a three-run homer that went foul. He then struck out and Dominic Canzone was retired to end the threat.
Ashcraft finished the game with 10 strikeouts over six innings. The Mariners were unfortunately part of the wrong side of history in this one.
Cole Young's homecoming part two
After a game-winning home run on Tuesday night in the opener, Pittsburgh native Cole Young continued his solid homecoming with a double down the right field line.
Bryan Woo's road woes continue
Woo, an All-Star in 2025, continued to struggle on the road. He gave up five earned runs over four innings. He walked two and struck out four. All five runs scored in the fourth inning. The big inning continues to plague him as well. Check out the numbers below:
He had an ERA of 5.93 on the road coming into this contest. His season ERA is now at 4.26.
J.P. Crawford's adjustment continues
We are about 10 days into the 'JP Crawford: third baseman" experience. He's made a handful of really nice plays in those 10 days, and he had an excellent jumping play in this one. But he also had his third error in two days, throwing away a simple ball to first base in which he had plenty of time.
Up next
The Mariners will send right-hander Bryce Miller to the mound on Thursday morning against former top prospect Bubba Chandler.
Miller is 3-1 with a 1.58 ERA. Chandler is 2-7 with a 4.62 ERA, but he features electric stuff. First pitch is 9:35 a.m. PT.
Of note
You can listen to the latest 'Refuse to Lose Territory' with Buster Olney of ESPN here. You can also watch the episode in the player below:
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