Logan Gilbert Gave Up 4 Homers and the Mariners Won Anyway, and That's Just the Start

The Mariners came back from being down 4-0 and beat the Braves 5-4 Monday night at T-Mobile Park, snapping a three-game losing streak with the kind of grit that reminded everyone why this team plays with heart. Logan Gilbert allowed four solo shots, but here's the thing: solo homers don't win ballgames. Former Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer said that years ago, and Gilbert proved it Monday.

"Four of them is not ideal, but I guess it held true tonight," Gilbert said after the win.

The Braves Built a Wall, Then the M's Tore It Down

Matt Olson hit his 300th career homer. Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies, and Austin Riley also went yard. Through 5 1/2 innings, Atlanta looked like they had this locked up at 4-0. Braves rookie JR Ritchie, a Bainbridge Island native, was dealing, keeping Seattle scoreless until the sixth inning.

Then everything flipped. Ritchie walked the first two batters in the sixth, and Luke Raley, who was stuck in a brutal 1-for-24 slump, unloaded a three-run shot to get the Mariners back in it. Raley walked the length of the dugout with the home-run trident, then found hitting coach Edgar Martinez for a hug.

"He made some adjustments," manager Dan Wilson said. "Because of how hard he works and how much he cares, it's good to see."

Three Walks and Two Homers Beat Four Solo Shots

The Braves brought in reliever Tyler Kinley, who walked Mitch Garver and then gave up a two-run shot to J.P. Crawford that put Seattle ahead for good. Three walks and two homers had done what four solo shots could not.

Braves manager Walt Weiss understood what happened. "Ritchie threw the ball really well, but he had a tough start to the sixth with a couple of walks," Weiss said. "Kinley has been unbelievable for us, but Crawford got him there. We were trying to squeeze a few more outs out of Ritchie because we didn't have enough available arms in the bullpen."

Atlanta's Sean Murphy made his season debut after hip surgery, while the Braves designated Jonah Heim for assignment and traded him to the Athletics for cash.

What's Next: Elder vs. Kirby

Tuesday night brings game two of the series. Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.88 ERA) takes the mound for Atlanta against George Kirby (4-2, 3.00 ERA) for Seattle. Elder picked up a no-decision Thursday against Detroit despite one earned run in six innings. Kirby had his three-game winning streak snapped Wednesday at Minnesota in a game the Mariners won anyway, 5-3.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.