Mariners Won a 1-0 Game Without a Single RBI Hit. That’s a First in 48 Years.

The Seattle Mariners just pulled off something that sounds like a bar bet. They swept the Angels with a 1-0 win Thursday night, and they did it the weirdest possible way: a bases-loaded walk was the only run of the whole game. No hits with runners in scoring position. No sacrifice flies. Just nine pitches of sheer stubbornness from Cal Raleigh.

It’s the first time in franchise history the Mariners have won a 1-0 game on a walk with the bases juiced. Across all of MLB, that’s only happened 39 times in the last 50 years. Twice this season, including this one. The other time? Also the Mariners. They did it against the A’s back in April when Luke Raley drew a bases-loaded walk. So either Seattle has discovered some kind of black magic or they’re just really committed to making things hard on themselves.

Bryce Miller Was Nasty Again

The real story here might be Bryce Miller. The right-hander threw seven scoreless innings, struck out eight, walked nobody and gave up only two hits. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh before Nolan Schanuel dropped a bloop single. Denzer Guzman followed with another single, but Miller slammed the door and got out of the inning.

Miller hasn’t walked a batter in four straight starts. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine outings. His ERA keeps dropping, and he improved to 4-2. At this point, he’s not just pitching well. He’s pitching like a guy who could be Seattle’s most reliable arm down the stretch.

The Only Run Came the Hard Way

Here’s how the scoring went. JP Crawford, playing his 1,000th career game, doubled to lead off the sixth. That was Seattle’s first hit of the night. Dominic Canzone and Randy Arozarena both walked to load the bases. Josh Naylor struck out. Then Cal Raleigh fell behind 0-2 against Walbert Urena, fought off three straight pitches, worked the count full and took ball four to force Crawford home.

That was it. One run. Nine-pitch walk. Game over, basically.

Injuries Pile Up for Seattle

The win came with some scary moments. Julio Rodriguez took a throw to the back of the helmet while running the bases and had to leave the game. Victor Robles got hit on the right wrist by a pitch and also exited. The Mariners haven’t given updates yet, but both guys looked uncomfortable leaving the field. Seattle’s offense can’t afford to lose either of them for any stretch, especially with the division race this tight.

Eduard Bazardo threw a perfect eighth with two strikeouts. Andres Munoz earned his 16th save despite some drama in the ninth. He walked Zach Neto, who got picked off, then gave up two singles before getting Wade Meckler to ground out to end it.

The Mariners are 45-43, tied with Texas for first in the AL West. They just swept the Angels in the most improbable way possible. And somehow, it’s starting to feel like this is just how they do things now.