On a cool Tuesday night at Seattle's T-Mobile Park, the Seattle Mariners delivered a masterclass in pitching and timely hitting, snapping the Milwaukee Brewers' impressive 11-game winning streak with a tight 1-0 victory. The game was a showcase of dominant arms and clutch moments, highlighted by Cal Raleigh's major league-leading 39th home run of the season and Logan Gilbert's stellar 6 1/3 shutout innings.
Cal Raleigh, the switch-hitting catcher who recently won the All-Star Home Run Derby, had not homered since July 11 against the Detroit Tigers. But on this night, he stepped up big time. Facing Brewers right-hander Nick Mears, Raleigh capitalized on an elevated fastball clocked at 96.1 mph, sending it sailing well beyond the right field wall in the sixth inning. That solo shot proved to be the game's only run, and it was enough to end Milwaukee's streak.
Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson praised Raleigh's approach, saying, "I really thought that was an outstanding at-bat. When you look at the whole approach to the at-bat, I thought he just battled, and was waiting for a pitch that he could drive." Wilson added, "You got the sense that he wanted to be that guy in the big moment tonight. And he was. He delivered."
Raleigh's homer was a pivotal moment in a game dominated by pitchers. Logan Gilbert was nothing short of brilliant, carrying a perfect game bid into the fifth inning before yielding just two singles. He struck out 10 batters, issued no walks, and needed only 86 pitches to reach the seventh inning, departing to a standing ovation from the home crowd. His performance kept the Brewers' offense at bay throughout the night.
On the other side, Milwaukee's rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski showed flashes of brilliance but was limited by a pre-game pitch count plan. Misiorowski struck out seven batters over 3 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and walking one before being replaced by relief pitcher DL Hall. Brewers manager Pat Murphy explained, "You can't give him that big of a rest and then let him go out there and make his normal start. You've got to build up to it a little bit. So, we thought somewhere between 55 and 65 pitches and no more than four ups was a good way to get him back into it. And it was fine." Misiorowski threw 64 pitches, including 14 at 100 mph or more in the first inning, but his velocity dipped as the game progressed.
Despite Misiorowski's early dominance, the Brewers struggled offensively. They tied their season low with just two hits and were shut out for only the ninth time this season, their first shutout loss since June 8. Milwaukee's lineup, featuring William Contreras, Christian Yelich, and Jackson Chourio, could not muster a run against Gilbert and the Mariners' bullpen.
Seattle's bullpen, led by closer Andrés Muñoz, who secured his 22nd save of the season, held firm despite some late-game jitters. Muñoz walked William Contreras and Jackson Chourio in the ninth inning, putting two runners on with one out. However, he struck out Isaac Collins and induced a groundout from Andrew Vaughn to end the threat and seal the victory for Seattle.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the quality of the opposition, stating, "These guys have got great experience. Raleigh is one of the best hitters in the game right now, and this team over there is loaded. And they are very formidable." He also praised the pitch that led to Raleigh's home run: "We gave up a home run to the best home-run hitter in the game. He hit a decent pitch. It wasn't like we threw him a cookie. He hit a decent pitch, and credit goes to him."
The loss dropped the Brewers to 60-41, tying them with the Chicago Cubs atop the National League Central Division standings. Their 11-game winning streak was the second-longest in Major League Baseball this season, just two wins shy of the Minnesota Twins' 13-game streak from May 3 to May 19, which was ironically snapped by the Brewers themselves. The Brewers' 11-game streak also ties for the second-best in franchise history, matching the 2021 team and trailing only the 1987 squad, which won 13 straight.
Looking ahead, the Brewers will send right-hander Quinn Priester (8-2, 3.33 ERA) to the mound for the final game of the series against Seattle's right-hander Luis Castillo (7-5, 3.21 ERA). The matchup promises to be another pitching duel, with both teams eager to gain an edge in the tightly contested division race.
In addition to the pitching duel, the Mariners' ability to secure three 1-0 victories this season ties them with the Texas Rangers and Pittsburgh Pirates for third most in Major League Baseball, behind only the San Diego Padres (5) and New York Yankees (4), according to ESPN Research. This statistic underscores the Mariners' knack for winning close games, often relying on strong pitching and opportunistic hitting.
Seattle's victory not only halted the Brewers' momentum but also showcased the Mariners' resilience and capability to challenge the league's best. With key performances from Raleigh, Gilbert, and Muñoz, the Mariners demonstrated that they are a formidable opponent capable of disrupting even the hottest teams.
As the series continues, both teams will look to adjust and capitalize on their strengths. For the Brewers, regaining their offensive rhythm will be critical, while the Mariners will aim to sustain their pitching dominance and capitalize on clutch hitting opportunities.
Tuesday night's game was a reminder of baseball's unpredictable nature, where a single swing or pitch can alter the course of a team's season. The Mariners' narrow win over the Brewers is a testament to the drama and excitement that makes Major League Baseball such a captivating sport.
