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Mariners Game Recap: Nelson Cruz Lifts M’s to Victory in Series Finale

By Brian Helberg |
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Apr 12, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder

Robinson Cano

(22) reacts after outfielder

Nelson Cruz

(23) hit a home run against the Oakland Athletics in the tenth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Mariners defeated the Athletics 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

8. 62. Final. 7. 96

After a slow start offensively to start the season, the Seattle Mariners exploded for 8 runs in Sunday’s win against the Oakland A’s. It may not have gone the way he planned, but Fernando Rodney (1-0, 12.00 ERA) was credited with the win after blowing a 4 run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Tyler Clippard (0-1, 3.00 ERA) was saddled with the loss after allowing the go ahead run in the 10th. Yoervis Medina hurled a perfect inning to record his first save of the season.

Felix Hernandez looked uncomfortable all day, and Oakland broke through in the bottom of inning number 4. Billy Butler had a great game today, and he led off the frame with a double. Ike Davis plated Butler on a single to center field that was booted by Austin Jackson. Stephen Vogt followed the single by lacing a ground ball past a diving Logan Morrison that rolled all the way to the right field corner. Vogt ended up on third base, and Davis scored on the triple. Josh Reddick was activated from the disabled list on Sunday, and he contributed an RBI single in his first action of the season. The A’s held a 3-0 lead after 4 innings.

A’s starter Jesse Hahn had a no-hitter entering the top of the 6th inning this afternoon, but things went south for the young right-hander quickly. Dustin Ackley led the inning off by doubling on a ball that careened off the wall out in right-center field. Mike Zunino singled on a line drive to right field to put runners on the corners with none out. Brad Miller scored Ackley on a sacrifice fly to center field to shrink the A’s lead to 2 runs.

The Mariners were not finished there in the 6th. Austin Jackson walked, and Zunino and AJ advanced to second and third base following a Seth Smith fielder’s choice. Robinson Cano ripped a line drive to right fielder Josh Reddick. The ball was stung, and Cano’s liner handcuffed Reddick. Zunino and AJ hustled home to tie the game. Nelson Cruz walked, and Kyle Seager gave the M’s their first lead of the game by singling to center field. Cano came around to score, and Seattle jumped in front 4-3.

The M’s added to their lead in the top of the 7th. Dustin Ackley contributed his second hit of the day with a single to right field. Mike Zunino tallied his second hit of the contest by lining an Eric O’Flaherty offering to left field. Austin Jackson grounded out to first base, but Ackley and Zunino advanced to second and third with 2 outs. Ricky Weeks was called on to pitch hit, and Lloyd McClendon’s decision proved to be the right one. Weeks crushed a 91 mph sinker over the wall in center field for a 3-run dinger. Weeks’ blast gave Seattle a commanding 7-3 lead.

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Despite it not being a save situation, McClendon brought in closer Fernando Rodney to work the 9th inning with a 4-run lead. One would think having a 4-run lead in the bottom of the 9th would be enough, but no lead is safe when Rodney is pitching. Josh Reddick got the inning started by smoking a line drive into the right-center field gap for a double. Marcus Semien worked a walk, and Sam Fuld brought both runners around to score on a double to right field. Rookie phenom Mark Canha singled, and Ben Zobrist walked to load the bases with none out. Rodney induced a double play ball from Billy Butler, but Fuld trotted home to score. With the A’s trailing by just 1 run, Eric Sogard was called on to pitch hit with the game on the line. Sogard came through, singling to center field and tying the game at 7. Against all odds, the rubber match between the A’s and Mariners went to extra innings.

Nelson Cruz had a key 3-run home run in yesterday’s win, and he went yard again today. Cruz stepped into the batters with no one on base and 2 outs in the top of the 10th inning. The 2014 MLB Home Run King hit a fly ball down the left field line that just had enough gas to make it over the wall. Cruz’s big fly gave the M’s an 8-7 lead, and proved to be the winning run on Sunday.

With the win, Seattle took the series with the A’s 2-1. It was the first series win of the season for the Mariners, and hopefully it will give them some confidence as they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers this week. Click here for the full box score.

Next: King Felix Leaves Game Due to Quad Tightness

Apr 12, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics designated hitter Billy Butler (16) scores a run next to Seattle Mariners pitcher

Felix Hernandez

(34) in the fourth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

King Felix Leaves Game Due to Quad Tightness

Felix Hernandez was not himself this afternoon, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits across 5 innings Sunday afternoon in the East Bay. Felix had command troubles, and issued a pair of walks while only recording 1 strikeout. However, it appears he was hampered by ankle and quad issues during today’s outing.

It is encouraging to hear that the injuries suffered this afternoon do not seem likely to slow King Felix down for long. The Mariners have Championship aspirations in 2015, and Hernandez will be a big part of their success this season. Felix was brilliant on Opening Day, and I expect him to return to form in his next outing. A player with Hernandez’s abilities rarely has consecutive poor starts.

King Felix is scheduled to get the ball in front of the Mariners’ faithful at Safeco Field on this coming Saturday against the Texas Rangers.

Next: The AckAttack is on Fire!

Apr 11, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Dustin Ackley (13) celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the top of the third inning off of Oakland Athletics starting pitcher

Sonny Gray

(54), not in picture, at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The AckAttack is on Fire!

Dustin Ackley has been the Mariners’ most consistent hitter over the first 6 games of the 2015 season. Ackley got the M’s going today by collecting their first hit of the ball game in the top of the 6th, and sparked the 3-run 7th with a lead off single. He finished the game going 2 for 4 with a pair of runs scored.

The AckAttack is currently hitting .357 with a double, 2 home runs, 2 RBI’s and 4 runs scored across 14 at bats. Ackley has been a streaky hitter for the Mariners since his debut in 2011, but he looks like he has a different approach at the plate this season. He is consistently squaring up pitches, and his plate discipline appears to be much improved.

With so many of the Mariners’ hitters struggling out of the gate, Dustin’s performance has been critical in all 3 of the M’s wins in 2015.

Next: Newcomers Shine in the East bay

Apr 12, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder Nelson Cruz (23) steps on home plate after hitting a home run against the Oakland Athletics in the tenth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Mariners defeated the Athletics 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Newcomers Shine in the East bay

Nelson Cruz and Rickie Weeks have both received plenty of criticism over the first week of the 2015 season. However, both players contributed key home runs in today’s exciting victory.

Rickie Weeks is attempting to transition from second base to left field this season, and today he proved that he is a force at the plate regardless of where he lines up defensively. The 32-year-old came off the bench to pitch hit for Seth Smith in the top of the 7th with 2 out and runners on second and third. Weeks drilled a line drive that carried well beyond the wall in center field. The blast gave Seattle a 7-3 lead, and quieted his critics watching the game in the Emerald City.

Nelson Cruz has been hailed as the savior of the lackluster M’s offense, and today he showed why expectations are so high for the 34-year-old slugger. Fernando Rodney blew the Mariners’ 4-run lead in the bottom of the 9th inning, but Cruz went deep to left field in the top of the 10th to put Seattle back in front. The home run proved to be the difference, and Cruz was the hero. Cruz also connected on a big fly in yesterday’s ballgame, and he is now hitting .208 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI’s this season.

Next: Looking Ahead

Aug 2, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (65) pitches in the second inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Looking Ahead

The Seattle Mariners started the day in last place in the American League West, but they finished the day tied for first place in the AL West with the Houston Astros. This is the joy of April baseball; you can literally go from worst to first in one day.

The Seattle Mariners (3-3) are migrating south to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers (3-3) Monday night in the first game of a 3-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm tomorrow night from Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine. James Paxton (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Mariners in the opener, and Brandon McCarthy (1-0, 7.20 ERA) will try to start the season 2-0 for the Dodgers. The Interleague tilt will be televised on Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

Next: Miller, Ackley Lead M’s to Victory in 11th

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