What looked like another typical game from your 2010 Seattle Mariners was anything but heading into the 9th inning this afternoon from Safeco Field. During one of the worst months in Mariners’ history (three wins in 19 days), mark it down that the biggest game of this young season occurred on Thursday's 4-3 win against the Blue Jays.
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After keeping up with a nightmare three-ring circus act [1. Milton Bradley’s admittance to personal issues; 2. Ken Griffey Jr.’s best attempt at hibernation; and 3. Mike Sweeney’s prep for the UFC Expo in Vegas this upcoming Memorial Day weekend], Mariners fans have finally found a reason to smile, for at least one evening. Those of you staying until the final at-bat of Thursday’s afternoon game earned a gold star and we’re rewarded with a walk-off win courtesy of a pinch-hit single from the Sleeping Giant himself.
LHP Jason Vargas earned the start for the M’s and went 6.2 IP, giving up 3 ER off of 5 hits from the offensively talented Blue Jays. Vargas earned a ND considering the M’s were trailing for 8.2 innings, but the effort proved to be effective enough to at least provide the bats an attempt at a ninth-inning comeback.
The 4-3 walk-off win for Seattle could not have come at a better time. After losing in another one-run game the night prior, finally winning a close game will surely give the team a little more confidence moving forward. Most notably, the M’s could use as much confidence they can get as the NL West leading San Diego Padres (with rising star 1B Adrian Gonzalez prepped to take advantage of a short right field fence at Safeco) grace us this weekend to open up Interleague play.
Cliff Lee (1-2, 3.08) is on the bump Friday night for Seattle, as he will be opposite Wade LeBlanc (2-1, 1.54) pitching for SD. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10pm.
Reach Jacob Kehle at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
