Mariners Game Recap: Boom Stick Explodes in Miracle Comeback

Apr 19, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz (23) hits a walk-off RBI-single against the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning at Safeco Field. Seattle defeated Texas, 11-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners (5-7) were down by 5 runs against the Texas Rangers (5-8) in the bottom of the 7th inning, but fought back to win the game and series on Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field. Yoervis Medina (1-0, 1.23 ERA) was credited with the win after hurling a scoreless 9th inning. Neftali Feliz (0-1, 6.00 ERA) took the loss after surrendering the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the 9th.

The Mariners jumped out to an early 2 run lead in the home half of the 1st inning. Austin Jackson led off the game by clobbering a ball deep to left field for a solo home run. The dinger was the first of Jackson’s Mariners’ career. Nelson Cruz has been hotter than any hitter in baseball, and he connected on a solo home run to give Seattle an early 2-0 lead.

The Rangers had a monster 3rd inning this afternoon, scoring 7 runs on 7 hits. The big blow came after the Ranger had already plated 4 runs. Jake Smolinski came through with a 2-run home run to left center field to give the Rangers a 6-2 lead. Texas scored another run on a Leonys Martin single, and the Rangers held a 7-2 lead heading to the bottom of the 3rd inning.

The Mariners clawed their way back in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Austin Jackson walked to lead off the frame, and Robinson Cano contributed a 1-out single to center field. Nelson Cruz had an incredible game on Sunday, and he deposited a Ross Detwiler fastball into the Rangers bullpen out in left field. Cruz’s big fly was a 3-run shot, and Seattle trailed by just 2 runs after 3 innings.

Texas added to their lead in the top of the 6th inning. Shortstop Elvis Andrus doubled on a line drive to left field to get the inning started. Following an intentional walk to Adrian Beltre, Shin Soo Choo drove in Andrus from second base on a single to right field. Mitch Moreland singled home Beltre on a single to center field, and Choo scored on a Rougned Odor ground out. All told, the Rangers scored 3 runs in the inning, and extended their lead to 10-5.

Despite the lop-sided score, the Mariners refused to give up on Sunday. They began inching their way back into the game in the bottom half of the 7th inning. Robinson Cano had a great game in the series finale, and he opened the inning with a double to right field. Kyle Seager singled home Cano on a ground ball to right field. Seags single made it a 10-6 ballgame after 7 frames.

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Logan Morrison and Seth Smith worked leadoff walks to spark a 3-run rally for the M’s in the bottom of the 8th. Austin Jackson struck out, but Rickie Weeks walked to load the bases with only 1 out. Robby Cano walked with the bases juiced to make it a 3-run game. Kyle Seager came through in the clutch with a 2-out 2-run single to right field to bring Seattle to within a run. Entering the 9th inning, the score was 10-9 for Texas.

It took nearly 4 hours, but the M’s were able to complete the miracle comeback in the bottom of the 9th inning. Brad Miller put together a very nice series against the Rangers, and he led off the final frame with a ringing single to right field. LoMo flied out, but Seth Smith reached on yet another walk. Austin Jackson sliced a line drive into right field to tie the ballgame. Rickie Weeks flied out weakly to center field for the second out. With first base open, the Rangers inexplicably opted to walk Cano to get to Cruz. This proved to be a fatal mistake, as Nelly yanked a game winning single into left field.

This was the craziest game of the season for Seattle, and thankfully the Mariners came out on top. The full box score can be found here.

Next: 3, 4 and 5 Hitters Dominate!

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