Mariners aren't finding key hits on Florida road swing, to the benefit of Rays

During a seven-game homestand that will end Sunday afternoon against the Seattle Mariners in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Tampa Bay Rays have been getting contributions up and down the lineup.

It was former Seattle draft pick Ben Williamson's turn on Saturday.

The utility infielder, dealt in February by the Mariners to the Rays in a three-team trade, crafted his first career four-hit game in a 6-1 Tampa Bay win, notching a double, RBI, run and a stolen base.

Williamson, 25, said there was no chip on his shoulder against the American League West club that selected him out of the College of William & Mary.

"No, just got a couple of lucky knocks that found holes," said Williamson, a second-round draft pick in 2023. "I was just committed to an approach each at-bat."

The AL East-leading Rays, who are 4-2 on their homestand, doubled up the M's 12-6 in hits. For the fourth straight contest, the Mariners could not produce a hit -- 0-for-6 -- with runners in scoring position.

They are 2-for-38 in the scenario through their 0-5 trip in the Sunshine State against the Miami Marlins and the Rays, including going hitless in the past 25 at-bats.

"I feel like we're finding barrels but just not turning them into hits and runs," said Seattle manager Dan Wilson. "There's no question that guys are frustrated by it."

Right-hander Logan Gilbert became the fifth Mariners pitcher to reach 1,000 career strikeouts, but the club matched its worst losing streak this season by dropping its fifth straight game.

The home team in the matchup won for the ninth straight time dating to 2024.

The home organization inducted former third baseman Evan Longoria, 40, into the Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Fame before Saturday's matinee game and will retire his No. 3 before Sunday's series finale.

Longoria hit .270 with 261 homers and 892 RBIs in a decade playing in the dome by the bay (2008-17). He etched his name into franchise history on Sept. 28, 2011, when he lined a walk-off homer over the low left-field fence down the foul line in Game 162 to beat the New York Yankees in 12 innings, 8-7.

That dramatic shot by the three-time All-Star and 2008 AL Rookie of the Year clinched the league's wild-card spot just moments after the Baltimore Orioles topped the Boston Red Sox to make the Tampa Bay contest a meaningful game for the postseason.

Meanwhile, Sunday's starting pitcher for the Rays, left-hander Ian Seymour (6-1, 4.11 ERA), was inserted into the rotation by manager Kevin Cash and pitching coach Kyle Snyder last month and has made four starts in his past six outings.

Seymour, who has appeared in 32 games this season, is 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA in five starts and will make his debut against Seattle.

The M's will send out right-hander Emerson Hancock (6-4, 3.23 ERA) for his 18th start and hope his last outing is indicative of how the second half of the season will unfold.

After going 1-2 with a 5.19 ERA in five June starts, Hancock fired seven innings of two-hit ball in beating the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 last Sunday. He struck out five and walked two.

Hancock has no record and a 6.00 ERA in two relief outings totaling three frames against the Rays.

The Mariners will continue to be without star center fielder Julio Rodriguez (concussion), as he is expected to rehab in Seattle through the All-Star break.

--Field Level Media