SEATTLE _ The end of the Mariners' longest win streak this season didn't feature any late-inning drama or controversy or even Mike Trout doing Mike Trout things, though he did register his first hit in the series and was intentionally walked twice.
No, Seattle's 7-4 loss to the Angels on a less-than-sunny afternoon on the Fourth of July was a product of simply not playing or executing at a level commensurate for success.
And after eight consecutive wins, they were probably due for a clunker.
The details:
_ Starter Mike Leake gave Seattle his shortest outing since April, pitching just four innings and giving up four runs (three earned).
_ The Mariners' middle relievers gave up three runs and couldn't keep the deficit manageable for a comeback.
_ The defense committed two errors and wasn't as crisp as in past games.
_ Seattle hitters couldn't register the big hit late in the game, striking out seven times with runners in scoring position.
And yet, with all those things happening, the Mariners weren't without chances.
In the bottom of the ninth, Mike Zunino led off with a single and Denard Span doubled. Seattle brought the tying run to the plate three times. But Dee Gordon lined out to shallow center. Jean Segura hit a ground ball to first and Zuninio was thrown out at the plate. Mitch Haniger's ground ball to third ended their victory hopes and the game.
But that wasn't the only opportunity.
If Jean Segura's line drive to right-center with the bases loaded isn't gloved on a brilliant leaping grab by David Fletcher in the bottom of the seventh, the Mariners have the eighth and ninth innings to overcome a one-run deficit, not three runs, to get that ninth straight win.
Instead, the Mariners will try to start a new streak on Thursday evening when they wrap up the series with the Angels.
