The Seattle Mariners dropped the rubber game of their three-game series against the Washington Nationals on May 29 2025 at T-Mobile Park falling 4-2 in a tightly contested matchup. Washington’s ace MacKenzie Gore outdueled Seattle’s George Kirby while the Nationals capitalized on timely hitting to secure the series win. Here’s the breakdown of the game and its implications for the Mariners.
Game Recap: Nationals Edge Out Mariners
The Nationals struck early against Kirby who struggled with command in the first inning. Washington’s CJ Abrams led off with a double and scored on a single by James Wood giving the Nats a 1-0 lead. In the third Keibert Ruiz smashed a two-run homer off Kirby pushing the score to 3-0. Gore meanwhile was dominant scattering four hits over seven innings while striking out eight. The Mariners mounted a late rally in the eighth with a two-run single by Julio Rodríguez but Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan sealed the 4-2 victory despite recent arm fatigue concerns.
Seattle’s offense struggled to find rhythm against Gore who leaned on his fastball-slider combo to keep hitters off balance. Kirby settled down after the third but the early damage proved too much. The loss dropped the Mariners to 26-22 maintaining their 2.5-game lead in the AL West per posts on X.
Injuries and Roster Challenges
The Mariners faced setbacks beyond the scoreboard. Rodríguez was a last-minute scratch from the previous game’s lineup with no clear explanation. Users on X raising concerns about a potential injury. Manager Scott Servais provided no update fueling speculation on X about Rodríguez’s status. The team also made roster moves earlier this month recalling prospects Cole Young and Harry Ford while designating veterans Donovan Solano and Mitch Garver for assignment signaling a youth movement
Washington’s roster wasn’t without issues either. The Nationals played without key defenders Jacob Young (shoulder) and Dylan Crews (oblique) both on the IL but their depth players like Amed Rosario stepped up. Seattle’s bullpen held firm but couldn’t overcome the early deficit.
What’s Next for the Mariners?
The loss snapped Seattle’s recent hot streak as they held a 23-11 record since April 9 the best in MLB during that span. The team now heads to Chicago to face the White Sox starting May 31 with Luis Castillo slated to pitch. With a deep prospect pool including nine top-100 prospects, Seattle remains optimistic about contending in 2025 despite this series setback.
Fans on X are mixed, praise the team’s AL West lead while others express frustration over inconsistent offense. The Mariners aim to rebound and maintain their division edge as the season hits the one-third mark.
