ARLINGTON, Tex. — When the obituary for the 2016 Mariners’ season is written, this recent hope-shattering trip that started in Chicago and finished in the stifling heat of Texas will be remembered as the wound that may have ultimately led to their demise.
The seven-game foray was filled with missed opportunities, subpar pitching — five of their starters went five innings or less — and several moments that left manager Scott Servais rubbing his head in frustration.
Of the six losses in the seven-game trip, two were one-run heartbreakers, and the other four were not close. In their one win, the Mariners somehow beat Chris Sale despite striking out 14 times.