SEATTLE — For the first four innings, the Mariners seemed destined to take a step back in their never-ending dance between a winning record and a losing record — call it the mambo of mediocrity.
Their starter, Logan Gilbert, was using far too many pitches to get outs, with no hope of making it past the fifth inning.
Meanwhile, they were verifying the All-Star selection of Twins starter Sonny Gray, who cruised through the first four innings, holding the Mariners scoreless, allowing two hits and striking out five batters. Using his wide assortment of pitches — none of them straight — Gray had Seattle hitters off balance, uncomfortable and away from their game plan.
