SEATTLE — The run of dominance was going to end at some point. One of the Mariners’ starting pitchers was going to wobble or struggle in an outing because that’s how baseball works.

That it came against the Atlanta Braves — the team with the best record in baseball — who were also trying to avoid being swept in the three-game series at T-Mobile Park wasn’t surprising.

When the Mariners beat the Braves in the first two games of the series, it was the first time this season Atlanta had lost back-to-back games. So losing three straight didn’t seem likely?

And, yet, the Mariners should find plenty of frustration and regret in Wednesday afternoon’s 5-2 loss to the Braves.

Yes, shutting down the Braves’ potent offense for the third straight game and was going to be a difficult task for rookie Emerson Hancock, and scoring the runs needed off Braves starter Chris Sale didn’t seem likely.

While the overall outcome might not have changed, the game certainly would’ve played out differently if not for a dropped fly ball from Mitch Haniger in the fourth inning that led to four unearned runs.

“I (expletive) it up,” Haniger said. “It had nothing to do with the sun. I just dropped it. It’s on me. I have to make that play. I haven’t been very happy with how I’ve defense lately. It’s something I’m going to keep working on.”

He was blunt about it’s impact on the game.

“Unfortunately, my costly error led to a big inning,” Haniger said. “If you wipe that inning away, we probably end up winning that game.”

Instead, Seattle (17-14) wrapped up the homestand with a 4-2 record. They Mariners flew to Houston after Wednesday’s game and will have Thursday off before opening a three-game series with the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

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