This is not what the Mariners needed from their still-patchwork rotation in an ongoing effort to stay afloat until their disabled list begins discharging patients.
Manager Scott Servais sent out his two best (healthy) starting pitchers over the last two days and neither one reached the fifth inning.
James Paxton lasted just 3 2/3 innings Friday in a 10-4 thumping by the Texas Rangers in the start to a three-game weekend series at Globe Life Park.
A day earlier, Ariel Miranda went four innings in a 6-2 loss at Minnesota.
Result? The Mariners (33-36) fell back to three games under .