Rain Delay Dashes Mariners' Hopes

The Mariners and the Rainy Curse

It’s hard to deny that sometimes, life feels like it's being orchestrated by a trickster god. For me, this feeling has been especially strong lately with the Seattle Mariners, a team that seems to struggle whenever rain delays their games. This pattern has become so consistent that it almost feels like an omen of some kind. Today was another example, as the Mariners fell to the Mets in the Little League Classic, 7-3. They’re now 1-6 this season in games that have been delayed by rain.

There are certain stories from childhood that leave a lasting impression, and for me, it was Isaac Asimov’s short story “Rain, Rain, Go Away.” In this tale, a family discovers that their polite neighbors, who avoid water at all costs, are actually made of sugar. The story ends with a chilling image of the sugar-family melting away in the rain, leaving behind three sticky-wet heaps. Even though I read it decades ago, that scene still haunts me more than any violent video game or movie could ever manage.

Today’s game was the third rain delay of the trip, and the third loss. But there was also some spectacle involved. The annual Little League Classic had an appropriately playful start: Clay Holmes hit Randy Arozarena in the helmet, but Julio Rodríguez grounded into a double play. The Mets' offense continued with Francisco Lindor's single, but he was picked off first. In the second inning, an errant throw allowed Eugenio Suárez to reach base, but the inning ended with a groundout.

The Mariners struggled to capitalize on the Mets' mistakes, which ultimately cost them the game. Meanwhile, the Mets’ offense was relentless. George Kirby couldn’t contain them, allowing four straight hits in the second inning. The Mets scored two runs before Kirby recorded a single out, and the inning turned into a three-run affair. Kirby had two nightmare innings, making it impossible for the Mariners to come back.

The Mariners finally showed some fight in the fourth inning. Julio Rodríguez led off with a double, and Jorge Polanco followed with a single. Dominic Canzone added another hit, and J.P. Crawford worked a walk to load the bases. However, rookie Cole Young couldn’t deliver, popping up the ball to end the threat.

In the fifth inning, things fell apart for the Mariners. Kirby gave up back-to-back singles and a three-run home run to Vientos. The Mets didn't have trouble hitting him, and he ended up allowing a career-high 12 hits. After a Cedric Mullins double, Lindor hit a ball that was dropped between Julio and Canzone, adding another run to the scoreboard.

Despite Cal Raleigh’s 47th Big Dump of the season in the seventh inning, the Mariners couldn’t make a comeback. Cal is now just one home run behind Salvador Perez for the single-season record by a catcher. Tayler Saucedo provided some relief, holding the Mets’ lefty-heavy lineup for 2.1 innings. Jackson Kowar had a shaky eighth, but managed to keep the game close.

In the ninth inning, Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodríguez each had singles, but it was too late. The Mariners added another loss to their record, and the specter of the Phillies looms—another park without a roof, and another chance for the Mariners to get stuck in the rain, metaphorically or otherwise.