Missteps and errors spell the end of Angels' winning ways in loss to Mariners
· Yahoo Sports
ANAHEIM, Calif. - There were signs early on in the Angels' 7-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday that it was going to be as sloppy game, but mistakes simply compounded on mistakes as time went on.
Yusei Kikuchi took the mound Wednesday looking to continue his recent stretch of strong starts, but things got away from Kikuchi quickly.
Visit asg-reflektory.pl for more information.
He gave up back-to-back singles and a walk to load the bases with the first three batters of the game, but all things considered he escaped with relatively little damage. Two runs came across the board courtesy of a sacrifice fly from catcher Cal Raleigh and a single from Josh Naylor, but no one else crossed home plate in the first inning at least, though Kikuchi threw 40 pitches in the process.
Wade Meckler #53 of the Los Angeles Angels jumps during an MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.Steven Park - The Sporting Tribune
Wade Meckler #53 of the Los Angeles Angels jumps during an MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
"From the start of the game I knew that I didn't have my best stuff," Kikuchi said via translator. "So even though in those days I try to get through my role."
The Angels offense picked Kikuchi up soon enough, scoring one run in each of the first two innings to tie the game 2-2. From then on it seemed like smooth sailing for the Angels left-hander until the fifth inning arrived.
Blunders in the Fifth
Kikuchi walked three batters in the fifth, one intentional, leading to a RBI double form Raleigh to put the Mariners back ahead 3-2, but that only set the stage for the sloppiness from the rest of the roster to put the Angels deeper into a hole.
Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels watches on during an MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.Steven Park - The Sporting Tribune
Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels watches on during an MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Vaughn Grissom, who has been playing out of position at first base with Nolan Schanuel on the injured list, fielded a ground ball from Naylor that could have turned into an inning-ending double play, but Grissom's throw down to second base went wide of shortstop Zach Neto and skidded into left field.
"I think overall he's [Grissom] been doing a good job over there, obviously out of necessity with Schany [Schanuel] being down," Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. "Tonight was a tough one. I know he wants that one back, but at the end of the day, you've just got to execute and tonight, unfortunately we didn't."
Both Raleigh and Dominic Canzone scored on the error to put the Mariners ahead 5-2 and end Kikcuhi's night after 4.1 innings pitched, but the Angels' mistakes would follow them into the top of the sixth inning.
Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during an MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.Steven Park - The Sporting Tribune
Yusei Kikuchi #16 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches during an MLB game against the Seattle Mariners on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Sixth Inning Struggles
Sammy Peralta stepped into relieve Kikuchi and came back out for the sixth inning. He opened the inning with a walk, then put J.P. Crawford first on after Crawford beat out a fielder's choice.
What followed was a passed ball by catcher Moisés Ballesteros and a wild pitch from Peralta in the same at-bat to Randy Arozarena that let Crawford advance to third before Arozarena walked.
Canzone singled in Crawford on a hard-hit ground ball that skipped off of third baseman Denzer Guzman, followed by Raleigh singling in Arozarena to put the Mariners ahead 7-2.
Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners is welcomed back to the dugout after scoring a run during an MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.Steven Park - The Sporting Tribune
Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners is welcomed back to the dugout after scoring a run during an MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
A Failure to Execute
That was more than enough for Seattle to take the game, but the Mariners made a few mistakes of their own that set the stage for the Angels, though they once again couldn't execute.
The Angels biggest opportunity was in the bottom of the fifth inning when an error, a walk and a missed play by center fielder Julio Rodriguez loaded the bases with one out. Like they had earlier in the game, the Angels had a chance to pick up their pitching staff and even the score.
Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners attempts to complete a double play during an MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.Steven Park - The Sporting Tribune
Cole Young #2 of the Seattle Mariners attempts to complete a double play during an MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels on September 16, 2026 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Instead, Josh Lowe and Christian Moore struck out swinging in back-to-back at-bats to end the inning.
"[Getting] guys on base was really good and then we're just missing that one big hit, right?" Suzuki said. "To maybe break it open or get it going a little bit more. But I thought the at-bats were good to get there. We just had a tough time cashing them in."