SEATTLE — Logan Gilbert admitted he wanted a chance to round out his first full game of his career. On a sparse 77 pitches and one rolling after retiring 22 of his last 23, it was as good a shot as one likely will have all season.
But the conversation from Mariners manager Scott Servais was deliberate – and well received. Seattle is on a 13-game stretch with no days off and Oakland’s leaders were imminent, so Servais turned to Paul Sewald to secure a 3-2 win and a four-game win at T-Mobile Park on Thursday -Complete victory of the A’s.
“I always want to keep going, especially at this point and being so close to the end,” Gilbert said. “So I thought maybe if the number of pitches was that high I might have a chance. But I mean we have the best bullpen in baseball.”
Despite what his rotation mates have accomplished, Gilbert has perhaps flown more under the radar in what has been an incredibly productive season.
The superb Seattle right-hander peaked in his career with eight innings, and his offense prevailed in a crucial eighth inning to propel the Mariners to two games over .500 (26-24) for the first time this year.
Ty France hit two solo homers – his first multi-homer game against Seattle – before the Mariners covered bases in the eighth for Eugenio Suárez, who walked home the winner.
“That’s how we win baseball games,” said France. “This is exactly the kind of team we are. We’re not going to do 10 runs every night and beat them to death. So it doesn’t surprise me how many hits we took.”
France allayed doubts about the health of his left hand, which was hit by a 94.5mph fastball on Tuesday and forced him to miss Wednesday’s game. Julio Rodríguez showed improved timing with an inside-out single at 101.8 mph in the first and a 100.6 mph double to the right-center gap in the eighth for the 14th comeback win of the Mariners brought this year.
But the star of the day was Gilbert, who made the Mariners’ MLB-leading 28th start — and who continues to prove a complete pitcher.
“It’s not an easy decision, but Logan understands,” Servais said. “I think the funny thing is that I spoke to him about when to empty the tank. Hitting the 80 pitch mark is pretty much it. He says, “I haven’t even managed 80 pitches yet.” He’s in a good position.”
Gilbert was more focused on his fastball than he was last time in Atlanta, when he had a more even mix of his four courts than ever. But it’s the fortification of his ancillary fields, particularly the shard, that has made him a greater threat.
“I would say it’s probably the first time in my career that it’s been consistently like that,” Gilbert said of all four pitches working simultaneously.
“I think when I started spring training I put myself to the test a bit and felt really good about it. I really liked the slider, which has been a bit inconsistent in the past. [Same with] the curve. After a few starts here and working with the catchers to see when the stuff plays best, I think I’m feeling pretty good.”
Gilbert conceded a double to Ryan Noda and a two-run home run to Seth Brown in the first inning, the second straight time he’d done so in the first frame, but dominated by allowing just one baserunner the rest of the way. He also scored six goals, bringing his total to 69 goals for the season and overtaking Luis Castillo at the head of the team.
Gilbert also issued zero free passes for only the second time in ten starts, bringing his walk rate down to 4.3%, ranking 8th among 72 qualified pitchers. George Kirby (2.2%) leads this group, and Bryce Miller (2.7%) would be in this range if he had enough innings to qualify. Gilbert’s 25.3% strikeout-to-walk rate is behind only Spencer Strider (32.5%) and Kevin Gausman (27.6%), two early Cy Young Award nominees.
“He mixes his pitches a lot more, and I think that helps him,” France said of Gilbert. “And it saves him parking space in the long run. He no longer tries to kick everyone out. He knows he’s put in a really good defense and we’re ready to work for him.”