Takeaways From Series Split Between Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals

The bullpen cracked for the first time against Kansas City. The relievers allowed a collective six earned runs on nine hits in 14 innings pitched across the four-game series.

The relievers have had to put in extra work several times over the club's current stretch due to short outings from the starting rotation. Logan Gilbert pitched 4.2 innings in Game 3 of the series Thursday and Logan Evans threw 5.2 innings in Game 4.

The hierarchy of Seattle's high-leverage arms have settled in nicely, but even with three All-Star-caliber relievers (Andres Munoz, Matt Brash, Gabe Speier), the last four games proved that it's not bulletproof. Casey Legumina had two walks which came around to score on Thursday.

Mariners need more from top half of the lineup

The top half of the Mariners lineup was a whiplash of positives and negatives across the four-game series.

The No. 1-4 spots in the order went a combined 11-for-29 with four home runs and nine RBIs in Games 1 and 3 — the two games Seattle won. Randy Arozarena accounted for three of those homers. In the two losses, players in those spots went 3-for-30 with an RBI.

In the bottom of the ninth of the series finale Thursday, Julio Rodriguez (batting No. 2) struck out looking and Cal Raleigh (No. 3) grounded out to end the game.

Bad games are going to happen, there's no avoiding that. But if it remains all or nothing with the top half of the order, it could be a long second half of the season.

Up next

Seattle will finish of the stretch of 17 consecutive games with a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates, beginning at 1:10 p.m. PT on Friday. Bryan Woo will start for the Mariners and Bailey Falter will start for the Pirates.