The Seattle Mariners lost to the San Diego Padres on April 16 after giving up a four-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, resulting in a 7-6 walk-off defeat. The game ended with Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz unable to secure three outs, allowing three runs before being replaced by Jose A. Ferrer, who then gave up a two-run double to Jackson Merrill.
This loss marks one of the most difficult moments for the Mariners early in their 2026 season and raises questions about their bullpen performance late in games. The outcome was especially disappointing as Seattle had been leading comfortably going into the final frame.
Manager Dan Wilson said, “A couple of pitches they made contact with that just were not hit hard, and I thought really hurt us. And then, just, those are just the tough innings. Those are tough ones.” He also addressed Muñoz’s struggles: “He’s had some outings where he’s thrown some pitches, and typically, when you don’t get ahead as much, that’s what happens. But he’s been able to get through it. And again tonight, I thought, with what he did, and I think it’s accentuated a little bit with some of that weak contact, but we’ll continue to keep pounding it.”
Muñoz has faced recent command issues; on Wednesday he walked Manny Machado at the start of the ninth and struggled with his slider throughout his appearance. Despite entering even without a save opportunity due to rest-versus-rust concerns from not pitching since Saturday, Muñoz could not hold back San Diego’s rally.
Starting pitcher Emerson Hancock said about his teammate: “Muni is our guy. It’s a long season. All of us are going to mess up at some point. We’re all a team. We’re all family. He’s going to turn the page.”
Despite strong performances from Hancock and Luke Raley—who collected four hits including his fourth home run—the Mariners were unable to secure victory after their bullpen faltered late in the game.
