With a three-game sweep of the A’s in West Sacramento, the Mariners finally moved into first place in the American League West — a place they were expected to be since the first pitch of the 2026 season. It hasn’t been a smooth ascent to the top of a division where a .500 record isn’t required.   But when you’ve underachieved for much of the season, style points in success are overrated. read next Randy Arozarena walks off D-backs in 10th to back huge night from J.P. Crawford Mariners’ new ‘piggyback’ plan comes with a twist Here’s what Corbin Carroll enjoys most about returning home to face Mariners The Mariners have gotten to where they should’ve been in the standings and now they need to find a way to remain there and lengthen their lead.   What can be taken away from the previous road trip? Well, it was more of the same frustrating inconsistency. How inconsistent? The Mariners are the only team to win a series against the Braves this season. They also went 1-5 against the Royals.…