Mariners Game Recap: M’s Unable to Complete Sweep of Yankees

Apr 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) scores on a wild pitch by Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) scores on a wild pitch by Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma (18) during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. 43. Final. 3. 62

The Seattle Mariners came up just short in their attempt to sweep the New York Yankees this weekend in the Bronx.

The Seattle Mariners (5-7) lost the final game in a three game series against the New York Yankees (5-6). Countrymen Hishashi Iwakuma (0-2, 4.50 ERA) and Masahiro Tanaka (1-0, 3.06 ERA) faced each other on the mound for today’s game. Ultimately, Tanaka won the pitching battle and his tallied first win of the season, giving up three runs on six hits. Hishashi Iwakuma was credited with the loss for the Mariners.

Coming into Sunday’s game, the Mariners had won three in a row and they were attempting to earn their first sweep of the young 2016 season. They missed an opportunity to get to Tanaka early in the first. Three 1-out singles in a row from Seth Smith, Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz loaded the bases for Seattle. Kyle Seager pushed across a run on a fielders choice, but Tanaka limited the damage by striking out Adam Lind to end the inning.

The Yankees got on the board in the second inning, thanks to a 2-run home run by Alex Rodriguez. Brett Gardner extended the Yankees lead in the third, scoring Jacoby Ellsbury from second.

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Steve Clevenger got a run back for the Mariners in the fourth on an RBI single to left that scored Seager. Another encouraging offensive moment from the Mariners came from Norichika Aoki. The offseason pick up from Japan connected on a 1-out triple that sailed over the head of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. The outfielder trotted home to tie to the game on a Seth Smith single.

Iwakuma uncorked a wild pitch in the 5th that scored Brett Gardner and proved to be the eventual winning run for the Yankees. Kuma pitched seven strong innings today before giving way to Nick Vincent in the eighth. Vincent had a strong inning, striking out Alex Rodriguez and getting two ground ball outs from Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius. Tanaka was relieved by premier setup man Dellin Betances in the 8th inning, who struck out the side. Andrew Miller earned the save for the Yankees.

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Tomorrow is the third off day of the month for the Mariners, but they will resume play on Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians (5-5). First pitch is scheduled for 3:10 PT from Progressive Field. Wade Miley (0-1, ERA 8.25) will make his third start on the season, and is still looking for his first win. In his last start, Miley gave up six earned runs in six innings against Texas. Carlos Carrasco (1-0, ERA 3.46) will be on the bump for the home side.