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During Kyle Seager’s decade as a Seattle starting third baseman, his overwhelming desire was to find a way to end the Sailors“Long drought in the playoffs.
In a season of low expectations, Seager and the Mariners almost pulled off some late magic – only to fail the final weekend.
“I was really hoping that the other two games we would get a few losses for us and then go ahead and win, so that was the ultimate goal,” Seager said.
The Mariners’ quest to end their 20-year playoff drought ultimately came to nothing on Sunday as they lost to the Los Angeles Angels 7-3 on the last day of the regular season.
Seattle’s late rise to power was halted by Los Angeles, which won two of the series’ three games. The surprising Mariners needed a win and a loss for Boston or New York to force at least one tie-breaker game for either of the American League’s two jokers.
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But the Yankees and Red Sox scored in the ninth inning to earn and clinch playoff spots, making Seattle’s result meaningless.
“It wasn’t a team where we were just more talented than the other team every day, but you had a group that was playing collectively together and they were collectively trying to win every night,” Seager said.
It was also likely the farewell of Seager, who broke with the Mariners in 2011. With the Boston and New York victories final, the final moments of Game 162 became an emotional start for the former All-Star. .
Seager was lifted with an out in the ninth to thunderous applause and hugs from his teammates. The tears started long before manager Scott Servais stepped onto the pitch to give Seager his moment of recognition.
“We may never remember the score from today’s game, but there are times you will certainly remember and certainly (Seager) leaving the pitch there,” Servais said.
Shohei Ohtani opened the game with his 46th homerun for the Angels and Jared Walsh added a two-point shot in the fourth, leaving the more than 44,000 spectators sitting in nervous silence for most of the day.
The Angels finished the season 77-85 and fourth in the AL West for the fourth consecutive season.
“It’s a good way to end the year, other than being able to participate a little longer,” said manager Joe Maddon.
Seattle’s 20-year playoff absence is the longest in one of the top four professional sports in North America. The Mariners had won 10 of 11 playoff games against the Angels, and combined with the stumbles of the Yankees and Red Sox, gave hope for the final three days of at least extending the season to a 163rd match.
Seattle dropped Game 1 against the Angels 2-1 and rallied for a 6-4 win on Saturday night to keep their hopes alive until the last day.
But the final is as far as the Mariners have gone, while there is optimism the young core that has arrived may lead Seattle to a regular conflict in the future. The Mariners finished 90-72, their best record since winning 93 games in 2003.
“Baseball is back in Seattle,” Servais said. “We haven’t crossed the finish line, but I think everyone sees where we’re going, and I’m really excited to see a lot of people taking the train with us because it’s going to be a fun ride. “
Seattle starter Tyler Anderson (7-11) was not good from the start, making his third start in eight days. Anderson was beaten by nine runs in two innings just a week earlier by the Angels. He made a spot start last Tuesday against Oakland, allowing a run in four innings.
But the sharpness he showed against A’s was again absent. Ohtani scored on the third pitch of the game. Two walks, two hits – including an RBI brace from David Fletcher – and a sacrifice fly ended Anderson’s day after just five strikeouts.
Southpaw Anthony Misiewicz gave Phil Gosselin a two-strikeout and Walsh’s 29th homer of the season in the fourth to give the Angels a 6-2 lead.
While the pitch was a problem, Seattle missed chances at home. The Mariners left the runners in position to score in the first, third and most damaging of the fourth inning when Seattle had runners in the second and third and one out and failed to score. JP Crawford struck out and Ty France fouled.
Seattle also charged in goals with a sixth inning out, but only managed one run.
FINAL SEAGER?
Along with the ninth inning celebration that continued into the postgame, Seager’s son Crue threw the first pitch at his father. The ninth inning chants worked well after the final as Seager stayed on the pitch for photos with teammates and staff.
“If this is his last game here, they say goodbye and thank you for everything he did,” Seattle rookie Jarred Kelenic said. “And it’s tough because he’s an amazing guy and even a better teammate.”
MVP OHTANI?
Ohtani finished with 100 RBIs and a home run to tie Troy Glaus’ franchise record of 47 in 2000.
“Just a fabulous fabulous year and there’s only one person that could duplicate it and that’s him,” Maddon said.
FOLLOWING
Angels: Los Angeles will open the 2022 season on March 31 in Oakland.
Mariners: Seattle opens the 2022 season at home on March 31 against Detroit.
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