The Mariners were unable to salvage a game and were swept in a three-game series against the Royals
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners failed to generate much in ways of offense in a 4-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Sunday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
Without Cal Raleigh in the lineup (who's nursing right side soreness), Seattle (16-19) went a collective 4-for-30 and struck out 10 times. The M's went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.
The Mariners were swept by the Royals with Sunday's loss.
"We didn't get a chance to barrel up many balls and get runners on-base and get them in," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said in a postgame interview Sunday. "We've got to bounce back here and tomorrow against Atlanta is the day to do it."
The only run for the Mariners came in the bottom of the third inning.
Third baseman Leo Rivas drew an eight-pitch walk and advanced to third on a single hit by center fielder Julio Rodriguez.
A fielder's choice hit by first baseman Josh Naylor brought home Rivas and gave Seattle a 1-0 lead.
Kansas City immediately responded in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded and no outs, Royals catcher Carter Jensen drew a walk to tie the game 1-1. Right fielder Jac Caglianone then grounded into a fielder's choice that brought home first baseman Vinne Pasquantino and designated Salvador Perez scored on a sacrifice fly hit by left fielder Isaac Collins.
When the top of the fourth ended, the Royals had a 3-1 lead.
Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo's chance at his first quality start since March 30 against the New York Yankees ended in the top of the sixth.
Collins hit an RBI double to score Caglianone to give Kansas City a 4-1 lead, the eventual final.
Castillo finished his day with five strikeouts, two walks, one hit batter and four earned runs allowed on six hits in six innings pitched.
It was the three-time All-Star's first time pitching through the sixth inning since his outing against the Yankees.
"I think throughout my whole career, you go through some bad stretches," Castillo said after the game via translator Freddy Llanos on Sunday. "And I've said it before, I've said it in several interviews, you go through these bad stretches and they're not going to last forever. So, just continue working. Same mentality whether you're going through a good stretch or bad stretch."
After the Royals bolstered their advantage to 4-1, Seattle was unable to get further into the lineup than the minimum in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings. Rodriguez was left stranded at first in the eighth.
Kansas City's starter, Kris Bubic, fanned seven, walked two and allowed one earned run on four hits in seven innings pitched.
"For whatever reason, we haven't seen the ball super well against lefties," Wilson said. "We've got to make some adjustments offensively and get back to doing what we do in terms of getting guys on-base and pushing the envelope that way. And once we do that, whether it's a righty or lefty out there, I think we'll be in good shape."
The Mariners will look to bounce back against one of the best teams in the National League, the Atlanta Braves, in the first of a three-game series at 6:40 p.m. PT on Monday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
JR Ritchie will start for Seattle and JR Ritchie will get the nod for Atlanta.
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