Mariners Fall 19-2 to Cubs as Bryce Miller Loses Second Straight Blowout

Bryce Miller surrendered six runs and seven walks in a 19-2 loss to the Cubs, marking his second consecutive start lost by at least 17 runs.

The Chicago Cubs defeated the Seattle Mariners 19-2 on Sunday, handing starter Bryce Miller his second consecutive loss by a margin of at least 17 runs. This defeat follows a 22-0 shutout by the Milwaukee Brewers just five days prior. Miller, a right-hander, surrendered six runs across 4 1/3 innings of work against Chicago, issuing a career-high seven walks. The Mariners (62-69) have now become the fifth MLB team in the last 125 seasons to lose two games by 17 or more runs within a six-game span, a feat not seen since the 1933 Phillies.

Historic Pitching Struggles in Seattle

Miller’s performance against the Cubs included a pivotal third inning where he issued three consecutive two-out walks before surrendering a grand slam to Ian Happ. This outing mirrored his Tuesday start against the Brewers, where he also pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed five earned runs. According to ESPN Research, Miller is the first pitcher since George Van Haltren of the 1890 Brooklyn Wonders to lose back-to-back starts by 17 runs or more, making him only the fourth player in MLB history to do so. The right-hander has now lost eight consecutive starts for Seattle, bringing his season record to 4-8 with a 4.12 ERA.

Over his last 30 2/3 innings, Miller has allowed 27 earned runs. Despite the recent statistical slide, the pitcher downplayed a lingering issue with his lat muscle following Sunday's contest, stating he did not want to use the physical ailment as an excuse for his performance. "Obviously, it's frustrating," Miller said via The Seattle Times. "The whole last month has been frustrating. I just gotta get back to who I am."

Position Players and Bullpen Decisions

The blowout reached its peak in the eighth inning when backup catcher Jhonny Pereda was brought in to pitch. Pereda was responsible for seven runs during the frame, a stretch highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Pedro Ramirez. Following the 17-run margin of defeat, Mariners manager Dan Wilson addressed the possibility of moving Miller out of the starting rotation. Wilson noted that the team is "looking at everything" regarding a potential move to the bullpen for the struggling right-hander.

American League West Standings Impact

Despite losing by a combined score of 41-2 across Miller's last two starts, Seattle remains three games behind the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers for the lead in the American League West. The Mariners currently hold a 62-69 record as they continue to pursue a postseason berth. The team’s recent stretch of historic inefficiency on the mound coincides with Miller's month-long slump, during which he has failed to record a victory. The Associated Press and ESPN News Services contributed to these findings following the August 23, 2026, matchup at Seattle.