The Seattle Mariners suffered their worst loss in franchise history on Tuesday, falling 22-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. The defeat ties the largest shutout margin in MLB history, matching the 22-0 victories by the Cleveland Guardians over the New York Yankees in 2004 and the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Chicago Cubs in 1975.
Julio Rodriguez’s eighth-inning error allowed two unearned runs to score, contributing to a nine-run frame for Milwaukee. With the bases loaded and the Brewers leading 13-0 in the eighth, Rodriguez caught a routine pop-up from Christian Yelich but prematurely tossed the ball into the stands, believing it was the third out of the inning. The throw allowed two runners to advance, scoring a run from third and another from second. Per MLB rules, runners advance two bases on an outfield throw into dead ball territory.
The Mariners, now 59-67 on the season, have lost eight of their last 11 games. Milwaukee, meanwhile, improved to 78-58 and claimed the highest run differential in baseball at +158.
Milwaukee’s offensive explosion began in the fifth inning, when Bryce Miller allowed five runs, including a three-run homer from Christian Yelich. The Brewers added five more in the sixth on homers by Jake Bauers and David Hamilton, followed by two more in the eighth. In the ninth, third baseman Leo Rivas surrendered nine runs while pitching, including Luis Lara’s first career home run.
Seattle starter Kyle Harrison, who had previously allowed eight runs in an outing, rebounded with five scoreless innings. Milwaukee’s backup catcher Gary Sanchez preserved the shutout in the ninth, working a 14-pitch frame.
The loss marks the Mariners’ worst defeat in franchise history, surpassing previous 20-run defeats in 1992 and 2010. The Brewers’ 22-0 shutout is tied for the most lopsided in MLB since 1887, when the Philadelphia Quakers defeated the Indianapolis Hoosiers 24-0.
Rodriguez’s misplay occurred in a game already out of reach, with Seattle trailing 19-0 at the time. The Mariners had led 1-0 through four innings before Milwaukee’s offense exploded in the fifth and sixth frames. The Brewers’ 22-run total is the highest by any team in a single game this season.
Seattle’s pitching staff allowed 22 hits and walked six batters, while committing no errors. Milwaukee stranded 11 runners but still managed to tie the modern-era record for largest shutout victory.
The Mariners will look to regroup for their next series, while the Brewers continue their push in the National League Central standings.