Mariners spangle the outfield grass and bleachers with hits to avoid a sweep

Following a winning team is a joy the Seattle Mariners have ensured is a precious morsel to be savored rather than a multi-course meal. However, quality comes with expectations, and with expectations investment, and with investment, the risk/reward of even sweeter joy or more bitter defeat. The 2024 Mariners were and are worthy of expectations, investment, and, despite the ghastly run of play they’ve been mired in, joy. For the first game in far too long, the first-place M’s looked worthy of their tiering, riding a stellar day in the sun with Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford to a 7-3 victory.

The pitching is the easy tale today, as Bryce Miller dug in his heels and spurs to the dirt of the…