Seattle Mariners do Just Enough in 1-0 Win Against Los Angeles Angels
· Yahoo Sports
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners needed just one run for starting pitcher Bryce Miller's seven-inning masterclass to result in a victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at T-Mobile Park.
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The Mariners swept the Angels with the 1-0 win, improved to 45-43 on the season and remained tied with the Texas Rangers for first place in the American League West.
"The way (Miller's) come out and attacked, the way he's used all his stuff and missed bats, he's just been so deep into games and has done what we've asked him and more," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said after the game Thursday. " ... It seems like every time out, he's not giving up a hit until about the fourth or fifth inning. That's just the way he's throwing the ball right now. He's really in a groove, he's really locked in."
Miller took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. His bid at the rare feat was disrupted by a bloop single hit by Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel. Another bloop hit by third baseman Denzer Guzman gave Miller two singles allowed for the game.
The former Texas A&M product finished his day with eight strikeouts and the aforementioned two hits allowed in seven innings pitched. He didn't issue a free base. It was his fourth-straight outing where he didn't issue a free base and his eighth outing in which he allowed two earned runs or less (out of nine appearances this season).
"Just make them earn it," Miller said after the game. "It's nine games so far, I think. You look at today, they took up until the 7th (inning) to get a hit and it was (60 mph) off the bat. So why would I give them a free chance to get to first base. And then, who knows, they steal second and then you get one of those bloops and they score. Main thing for me, I had a lot of first-pitch strikes today. Attacking the zone early, got to two strikes quick and no free passes. That's pretty good. If I do that every day, I'll be in a good spot."
Bryce Miller, 97mph Paint. 🖌️🎨
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 3, 2026
7th K thru 6....and 🤫 pic.twitter.com/oNvsyzxhxW
Miller needed just one run from his offense to earn the win Thursday, which came in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Third baseman J.P. Crawford, who was playing in his 1,000th career game (927th with the Mariners), reached first with a lead-off double. It was Seattle's first hit of the day.
Designated hitter Dominic Canzone and left fielder Randy Arozarena both drew walks.
Crawford, Canzone and Arozarena represented a bases-loaded situation. After a strikeout from first baseman Josh Naylor, catcher Cal Raleigh stepped to the plate looking to cash-in on the bases being juiced.
Raleigh worked his way down from an 0-2 count to draw a nine-pitch walk with the bases loaded, which resulted in Seattle's only run.
Raleigh's walk moved Crawford home, which gave him the team's only run in his 1,000th game.
"It's a huge milestone," Wilson said in a pregame interview Thursday. "A ton of those (games) have been with the Mariners. Just speaks to so many things about J.P. Speaks to his consistency, his ability to play, his ability to be in the lineup every day in a position that's difficult to do that in. He has amassed a lot of ball games. Particularly what he's done here in Seattle ... it's just another one of those incredible milestones that shows his consistency and the work that he's put in."
Seattle Mariners third baseman J.P. Crawford hits a double during a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Steven Bisig/Imagn ImagesRight-handed reliever Eduard Bazardo retired the side in order in the top of the eighth to preserve the 1-0 lead.
The narrow lead resulted in closer Andres Munoz having the ninth. After issuing a four-pitch walk to Los Angeles shortstop Zach Neto, Munoz initiated a 1-3-6 pick-off of the infielder, which resulted in Colt Emerson applying the tag and getting the out at second.
Wilson credited bench coach Manny Acta for the pick-off call.
Munoz allowed two singles in the ninth but induced a flyout from Guzman and a groundout from left fielder Wade Meckler to earn his 16th save of the season in 21 opportunities.
The Mariners were without outfielders Julio Rodriguez and Victor Robles for most of the game. The former left before the third after being hit in the head on a throw while running to second, and the latter left the game before the fifth after being hit by a pitch.
Both outfielders' statuses are still to-be-determined for Seattle's upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Mariners will start the three-game series against the Blue Jays with the first contest at 7:10 p.m. PT on Friday at T-Mobile Park. Luis Castillo will start for the Mariners and Dylan Cease will start for the Blue Jays.
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