Diary of a Mariners fan

MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2026

Dear Diary:

The Mariners had to work very hard to weave any doubt into Sunday’s game.

In fact, entering the eighth inning, I didn’t think this team had it in them.

Not only had George Kirby pitched seven scoreless innings, retiring 16 of the final 18 batters he faced, but the Mariners lineup, which ranks among the least productive in the league, had posted six runs. I had gone so far as to roll my eyes when Cal Raleigh hit a three-run homer in the seventh to make the score 6-0.

“Save that for a game when it really matters,” I thought to myself.

Once again, I underestimated the ability of this franchise to stub its toe after shooting itself in the foot.

The Mariners needed every bit of Raleigh’s homer and then one.

The Twins hit three homers off three different Mariners relievers over the final two innings, tying the score 6-6.

Yet, in spite of their best efforts, Seattle wound up winning.

Josh Naylor singled to start the bottom of the ninth. Victor Robles singled with one out, and Naylor wound up on third after some crafty base-running and a face-skinning slide. Pinch-runner Stuart Fairchild was inserted into the game, replacing Naylor, and he scored on Colt Emerson’s single to right.

The Mariners had won a game in their final at-bat for the second consecutive game. They are 55-58 and three games behind Houston in the division.

There is absolutely nothing about this team that makes me believe it should make the playoffs, which is exactly what makes me fear that they just might.