SEATTLE — J.P. Crawford delivered a crushing grand slam and Emerson Hancock dazzled on the mound as the Seattle Mariners secured a commanding 6-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, successfully completing a series sweep.
The Mariners got on the scoreboard early after Miles Mastrobuoni’s RBI single with one out in the second inning, which set the stage for Crawford’s fireworks. Crawford capitalized on a hanging slider from pitcher Luis Ortiz, blasting his fourth career grand slam to right field and breaking the game wide open.
Mastrobuoni’s contribution might have been all that was needed with Hancock’s outstanding performance on the mound. The young pitcher, matching up with a 3-2 record, delivered a stellar seven-scoreless-inning performance, allowing just two hits, both singles, and a single walk, while striking out four batters. With only 85 pitches needed to go the distance, Hancock’s efficiency was remarkable.
The bullpen took over from Hancock’s seamless performance, with Casey Legumina and Eduard Bazardo combining efforts to seal the shutout. This was only the Mariners’ second shutout victory of the campaign, with their prior shutout against the Miami Marlins back in late April.
A pivotal moment in the game unfolded when Ortiz issued a leadoff walk to Randy Arozarena in the second inning. Subsequent walks to outfielder Dominic Canzone created an opportunity that Crawford capitalized on, ensuring a leading margin that the Mariners maintained throughout the contest.
Crawford’s proficiency with bases loaded is evident, as he boasts a remarkable .593 batting average since 2023, accumulating 42 RBIs in such scenarios, further solidifying his reputation as a clutch player with a career average of .400 in these situations.
Looking forward, right-handed pitcher Logan Gilbert, with a 1-1 record and a 2.37 ERA, is set to return from the injured list, ready to start for the Mariners against the Boston Red Sox on Monday. In contrast, the Guardians will head to San Francisco to open up a series with a matchup scheduled for Tuesday.