So where do the Mariners go from here as they reflect on a 16th straight year in which they failed to make postseason?
General manager Jerry Dipoto acknowledged earlier this week that his club faces a considerable challenge in bridging the 23-game gap that separated them from division champion Houston in American League West.
Can it be done?
"How long are you giving me?" Dipoto asked. "We have a long way to go…I don't believe that we're nipping at the heels of the Astros. That’s going to take some time and frankly a little bit of luck.