Mariners' Cano: 'We're in a situation now where we have to win every game'

Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano admitted Tuesday after a third consecutive loss that the margin for error is decidedly slim if his team wants to stop its playoff drought at 12 seasons.

“We have six games and we have to get after every single game if we want to get there,” Cano told MLB.com before Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. “A lot of things can happen, so we just have to keep fighting and grinding.”

The Mariners remain two games back of the Kansas City Royals for the American League's second wild-card berth, but have struggled to manufacture offense of late. The club has averaged just 3.7 runs per game over their last 10 contests and watched their pitching staff implode Monday at Rogers Centre, allowing 14 runs in a disheatening loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, 

“The key is you have to focus more than just regular games,” he said. “The playoffs is what we’re doing now. You can’t leave men on base, you can’t miss opportunities, you have to do the little things because these games, we’re like 2-3 games behind and we’re in a situation now where we have to win every game.”

Cano, however, has remained productive amid his teammates' struggles, hitting .333/.400/.519 with two home runs and four doubles over his last 15 contests. The Mariners, meanwhile, have six games remaining - three more against the Blue Jays and three against the Los Angeles Angels.

“We have to be satisfied with this year, but we’re not out of the race until we’re eliminated,” he said. “We can win the next five or six games and anything can happen. We just have to stay focused.”