The (unsustainable) secret to Mariner success
Seattle is undefeated when its starting pitcher limits the opponent to one run or fewer, which is great. It's 1-7 in all other games, which is not.
Logan Gilbert pitched into the eighth inning on Wednesday in Toronto, the only run he allowed coming on a solo homer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to start the bottom fo the seventh.
The Mariners scored five runs in the top of the 10th, winning their first extra-innings game of the season and providing a fig leaf of respectability on a 2-4 road trip.
It was the second time this season that Gilbert has allowed a single run in a start, and the fourth time this season that a Mariner starter had given up one run or fewer. Those games account for four of Seattle’s five victories this season.
Put a different way: The Mariners have needed a lights-out, sterling performance from their starting pitcher this season to even have a chance. When their starting pitcher has given up two or more runs, they are 1-8.