SEATTLE — Close games seem to be a staple of the Seattle Mariners in the early stages of Dan Wilson’s tenure as coach. Unfortunately for the Mariners, the last game did not go in their favor.

Seattle lost 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. The loss dropped the M’s record to 67-66 on the year and puts them 3.5 games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West. It was the Mariners’ fourth of five one-point games that Wilson has managed.

“Boy, we fought to the end again tonight,” Wilson said in a postgame interview Tuesday. “I thought (Tampa Bay starter Jeffrey Springs) pitched a good game for them early on. … He was tough for five innings. Couldn’t get anything going. And then I thought (Victor Robles) really got things going. He’s an exciting player. It’s great to have him back in the lineup where he’s causing havoc, using his legs and getting us ahead. And then a couple of home runs in the late innings — I just couldn’t get over that. I thought (Logan Gilbert) threw the ball great.”

The starting pitchers from Seattle and Tampa Bay ensured that Tuesday’s game would bring few points in the early stages.

Gilbert pitched six innings, allowing four hits and striking out 10 batters. He gave up no open bases. It was the second straight game with 10 strikeouts by a Mariners starter.

“I feel like I’ve been good. Good or bad games just come down to my mindset and sticking to my plan again with every batter,” Gilbert said in a postgame interview on Tuesday. “Tonight I was pretty good at getting strikes on the first pitch and trying to get two strikes as quickly as possible and then focus on that. When I do that, I’m usually in better situations. So it’s really just that simple mindset that helps me.”

Springs noticed Gilbert’s performance and responded accordingly. He struck out nine batters in five innings, allowed one hit and allowed two walks. He was responsible for more than half of the Rays’ 17 strikeouts in the game.

Both teams found their chances against their respective bullpens.

Victor Robles put Seattle on the scoreboard first in the sixth inning, sprinting home after Tampa Bay catcher Alex Jackson sailed a throw into left field to catch Robles stealing third base. The throwing error gave the Mariners a 1-0 lead.

It didn’t take long for the Rays to respond. Centerfielder Jose Siri hit a two-out, two-RBI home run to center field to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead in the seventh inning.

First baseman Yandy Diaz scored another run for the Rays an inning later with a solo home run to left field that made it 3-1.

Cal Raleigh brought the Mariners back to within one point in the eighth inning with an RBI single with two outs, Leo Rivas scored and reduced Tampa Bay’s lead to a final score of 3-2.

Seattle had the runs on base after Raleigh’s single that tied the game and took the lead. Randy Arozarena, who hit a three-run home run against his former team on Monday, struck out after three pitches, leaving the two runners helpless.

Mitch Haniger hit a two-out single in the ninth inning to get on base, but also stayed on base.

A loss doesn’t take away from the performance the Mariners showed in their current home game, but 17 strikeouts and a missed opportunity to get within 2.5 games of Houston (which lost to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday) doesn’t inspire confidence.

Seattle will look to make it two straight wins in Wednesday’s playoff game at 1:10 p.m. PT. Luis Castillo will start for the Mariners.

MARINERS DOMINATE RAYS IN SERIES OPENER: Bryce Miller struck out 10 batters and Randy Arozarena and Jorge Polanco both hit home runs in the Seattle Mariners’ 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. CLICK HERE

HOLLANDER PROVIDES RELIEVERS UPDATES: Seattle Mariners general manager Justin Hollander provided an update on injuries to Gregory Santos, Yimi Garcia and Matt Brash ahead of Monday’s win over the Tampa Bay Rays. CLICK HERE

MARINERS ROOKIE IMPRESSES IN FIRST BIG LEAGUE APPEARANCE: Seattle Mariners reliever Troy Taylor has impressed new manager Dan Wilson in his few appearances since being called up on August 10. CLICK HERE

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