Takeaways From Seattle Mariners Series Loss Against Los Angeles Angels

The Mariners lost their second straight series but ended the series on a solid note with pitcher George Kirby's masterclass.

Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby throws during a game against the Los Angeles Angels on June 8 at Angel Stadium. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners lost their second consecutive series in a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend. Though the losses were rough, Seattle avoided disaster as Julio Rodriguez wasn't seriously injured on Saturday night when he was hit by a batted ball.

Seattle avoided a sweep courtesy of a 14-strikeout, seven-inning display from starting pitcher George Kirby on Sunday. They also picked up a game in the standings and now trail the Houston Astros by 2.5 games in the American League West.

Here's more takeaways from the Mariners series loss to the Angels:

George Kirby is back

Kirby's 14 strikeouts on Sunday were a career high and the most for a Mariners starting pitcher this season. It was the most by an M's right-handed pitcher since Felix Hernandez punched out 15 on June 8, 2014. It was also tied for the most fanned batters by a starting pitcher in the majors this season with the Miami Marlins' Max Meyer. Kirby didn't walk a batter and allowed two earned runs on two hits (one home run).

👏 Have a day, George 👏 pic.twitter.com/OONMDzhd5X

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 9, 2025

Kirby has made just four starts, including Sunday, this season. He was activated off the injured list on May 22 after being shut down in spring training with right shoulder inflammation.

Before his elite display against the Angels, Kirby had struggled to have a handle on his full arsenal right away. Kirby looked unencumbered against Los Angeles, and it looks like he's back to his usual form.

Incomplete performances plague Mariners

Before Kirby's start, Seattle's starting pitching took a step back and the offense took a step forward. The lineup scored 10 runs (five runs a game) in Seattle's two losses and 13 for the series. The starting pitchers in the two losses, Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo, allowed a combined nine earned runs in 10 total innings.

Raaaaandy gets things started in the first 👏

🌟 https://t.co/Q16mvWt8m4 🌟 pic.twitter.com/vwCQrO1A6C

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 8, 2025

In comparison, the Mariners averaged 3.4 runs a game across their nine-game homestand before the series against the Angels.

Seattle's starting rotation still isn't at full strength. And it's unrealistic to expect the starting rotation not to have occasional blemishes. Miller has battled elbow inflammation and discomfort for most of the season. His start against Los Angeles was just his second start back after a near-three-week stint on the IL. Castillo had a streak of four consecutive quality starts before his outing against the Angels.

For the Mariners to regain the lead in the AL West, the club will need to get complete games more often than not. Since their nine-series win streak was ended by the Toronto Blue Jays in a series May 9-11, complete games have been tough to come by.

If Seattle has games more common to Friday and Saturday, it will be tough for the club to make headway in the division. If Sunday is a better encapsulation of what the team can do, the Mariners will be back duking it out with the Astros for the top spot in the AL West for the rest of the year.

Up next

The Mariners will begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 6:40 p.m. PT on Sunday. Emerson Hancock will start for Seattle and Merrill Kelly will start for Arizona.

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KIRBY MASTERCLASS LEADS MARINERS TO 3-2 WIN OVER ANGELS: The former All-Star pitcher had the best showing for a Mariners pitcher this season and helped the team snap its five-game losing streak. CLICK HERE

MARINERS OUTFIELDER RODRIGUEZ RETURNS TO LINEUP AFTER INJURY SCARE: Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez will be a full participant Sunday after getting hit by a line drive Saturday. CLICK HERE

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