The M's were beaten by the second consecutive night by the Pittsburgh Pirates, falling to 41-41 overall.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The Seattle Mariners dropped a second consecutive game to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday afternoon, losing 5-1 at PNC Park.
With the loss, the Mariners lost the series, fell to 1-2 on this six-game road trip, and dropped to 41-41 overall through 82 games.
Though the Mariners continue to lead the mediocre American League West, fans are growing ever more frustrated at a team that can't separate in the division.
Here's what you need to know.
Bryce Miller hits career-high, but doomed by two pitches
No longer in his piggyback role, the M's righty was excellent over 5.2 innings. He struck out 11 batters and allowed just five hits in total, however, he was burned by two home runs: A Brandon Lowe solo shot in the first and a Henry Davis two-run homer in the third.
His ERA is now 1.97 and since coming off the injured list, he's been the Mariners best starting pitcher.
He threw 90 pitches. The 11 strikeouts tied a career-high.
Mariners offense continues lack of production
It's been more than two full calendar weeks (June 12) since the Mariners scored more than three runs in a game. While the Mariners have gotten some solid pitching in that time, they haven't been able to fully capitalize in terms of scoring runs.
The M's had the bases loaded three times in this game, but Cole Young was robbed of an extra base hit once, and Rob Refsnyder popped up to left field in another at-bat. Colt Emerson grounded out in another frame.
The Mariners were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base in total.
One silver lining
If you're into moral victories, the Mariners did hit several balls hard in this one, but they failed to find holes.
Young's ball was smoked to CF, while Julio Rodriguez bounced into an inning-double play in the fifth inning at 103 mph. Runners were on the corners in that at-bat. Emerson, with the bases loaded in the sixth, laced a ground ball at 104 mph right to the shortstop. Mitch Garver had a ball at 104 mph that was robbed at second base.
Rodriguez was robbed of a single in the seventh as well, with a ground ball to third registering as a fielders choice.
Up next
The Mariners will head to Cleveland to face the Guardians, who are battling for the American League Central title this season. The two teams split a four-game series in Seattle earlier this year.
Luis Castillo will pitch on Friday.
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