With ‘special’ home crowds, Mariners are doing ‘special things’

Fresh off of putting the final touches on an incredible comeback win Friday night, Seattle Mariners reliever Matt Brash was extremely amped up.

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Brash struck out the side on 19 pitches to get the save in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, which turned out to be the first win in a three-game weekend sweep for the Mariners. He did so in front of jam-packed and raucous T-Mobile Park crowd of 39,780.

After Brash talked to Mariners insider Shannon Drayer on the field moments after the game for the customary “walk-off” radio interview, Drayer couldn’t help but point out the state the 27-year-old right-hander appeared to be in.

“I tell you, his eyes are as big as saucers right now,” Drayer said. “He’s like, what just happened?”

If you ever wondered what it’s like to close out an important game during a playoff chase in front of a huge home crowd, Brash provided a pretty insightful view.

Drayer asked Brash what pitching with “that kind of energy in the building” is like.

“I mean, I think we saw it there. My velo ticked up, my stuff was better. I mean, my adrenaline was pumping,” Brash responded.

good luck sleeping tonight. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/BiiZoVGWpx

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 9, 2025

He then explained what having a full house at the corner of Edgar and Dave – which the Mariners had all weekend (they averaged over 40,000 for the three-game series) – can do for the team.

“This place is electric. It always is, but down the stretch when we get crowds like this, it’s special, and we do special things,” Brash continued.

A big reason for Brash’s adrenaline pumping so much: the events that led to him entering that game. Going into the bottom of the eighth, the Mariners were trailing Tampa Bay 2-0, and they had three potential scenarios for the bullpen in the ninth inning. According to Brash, right-hander Casey Legumina would pitch if the Rays still led after the eighth, new lefty Caleb Ferguson would come in if the game was tied, and Brash was set to close if the M’s somehow took the lead.

Well, MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh hit a three-run homer off of Rays reliever Griffin Jax with two outs. Then just one batter later, the inning was over and it was suddenly time for Brash to head out to the mound.

GOODBYE BASEBALL. HELLO LEAD! pic.twitter.com/DtfjhpygNV

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 9, 2025

“It was a little weird down there (in the bullpen),” Brash said. “I’ve never done that before, but we did great. Tony (Arnerich), our bullpen coach, did great, and I was ready to go.”

With only two mounds in the bullpen, did Brash have enough time to warm up? It didn’t matter with how much energy the crowd was providing.

“I could have thrown zero pitches, I would have been ready to go,” Brash said.

With two more wins on the weekend over the Rays, the Mariners pushed their season-best winning streak to seven games, moved into the American League’s top wild card spot and inched within a half-game of the Houston Astros for the AL West lead.

Now at 66-53 on the season, the Mariners caught fire after a big MLB trade deadline. Since July 31, when the Mariners played for the first time with each of their three deadline additions, they are 9-1.

“I mean, I feel like that’s what happens when you add guys and it just changes the mojo,” Brash said. “And we always had a good team, but you add a couple guys in the middle of our lineup, you add Ferg out there, another lefty, we’re just deeper. We’re a good ball club.

“Like, ‘Naylz’ (Josh Naylor) is down, he’s hurt a little bit and Donnie (Donovan Solano) comes in and gets two hits. That just shows how deep this team is, and it’s special.”

After a day off Monday, the Mariners return to action by starting a road trip at 3:35 p.m. Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Seattle Sports radio coverage will begin at 2:30 with the pregame show.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Playoff Chase: Mariners make a big move with another sweep
• Raleigh hits 45th HR, surging Mariners beat Rays 6-3 to complete sweep
• M’s pounce on Rays pitcher who wore OKC Thunder jersey in park
• How M’s switch-pitching prospect Cijntje fared in Double-A debut
• Seattle Mariners Injuries: Good news on Raley, Miller and more

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