The Seattle Mariners offense has blown hot and cold throughout the season, receiving criticism from the fans. It came under scrutiny again during the series opener against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
With the Yankees taking a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning following Aaron Judge's RBI double, the Mariners got a gilt-edged chance to open the scoring in the bottom of the inning.
Yankees starter Luis Gil hit Victor Robles in the second inning and allowed walks to load the bases for the Mariners. With Justin Turner working a 3-0 count, it seemed likely that the home team would open the score in response to Judge's double.
However, what followed intrigued the crowd at the T-Mobile Park and baseball fans across the country as Robles made a failed attempt to steal home, ending the inning for the Mariners with the score 2-0 in favor of the Yankees.
Mariners fans aimed sarcastic jibes at the team following the bizzare play.
"The dumbest decision in baseball history. Why would they even do this??"
"Wtaf??? Wow dumbest baseball play I have ever seen in a while," wrote another fan.
"That's one of the most audacious base running decisions you'll ever see!"
"Welcome to Mariners baseball, new here?" a Mariners fan wrote sarcastically.
The mockery continued as fans could not get their heads around the decision to steal with bases loaded.
"The Mariners offense truly hates their fans," wrote a fan after the team failed to score.
"Entire org in a single play. Depressing to be an Ms fan," wrote a disheartened Mariners fan.
"We no longer feel pain, we're just used to it," vented another Mariners fan.
Yankees take advantage of sluggish Mariners offense in series opener
The Mariners hosted the Yankees on Tuesday having won three consecutive games against division rivals Texas Rangers. With the postseason hopes hanging by a thread, the Mariners needed to open the crucial series with a win.
However, the team squandered a relatively simple chance to score in the first inning and generally looked devoid of ideas against the Yankees' pitching, managing just two runs in a deflating 11-2 loss.
The loss means the Mariners are 1.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers and now three games behind the Minnesota Twins in the race for the final AL Wild Card spot.