Mariners show Randy Johnson what he missed in 28 years away, get swept in snoozer
Short-side bats lifeless again, Castillo’s struggles on second pass continue
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 03: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals was ruled safe after sliding into home plate during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on May 03, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/Getty Images) | Getty Images It was bad. It was boring.
It was a third straight loss. The Mariners lineup snoozed through a 4-1 loss on Sunday as the Royals completed a sweep in Seattle. The short-side of the Mariners platoons, once again, frankly stunk, sending the minimum-plus-one to the plate over the final five innings.
Lefty Kris Bubic took the ball for the Royals. He was excellent last year, with a 2. 89 FIP in 20 starts, so this wasn’t expected to be an easy task.
The Mariners seemed to agree, allowing Bubic to work through seven innings with minimal effort. The Mariners began the day 22nd in baseball with an 86 wRC+ lefties, in what’s been perhaps the most discouraging sign from the early going. The lineup Sunday looked especially suspect, as Cal Raleigh sat out with soreness in his side region .