Mariners Game Recap: M’s Blow Late Lead, Lose 5-3 in Extras

The Seattle Mariners (24-28) let the New York Yankees (28-25) off the hook on Tuesday night in the Emerald City. The M’s held a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 9th, but could not hold on. The Yankees pulled away in the 11th, and took the game 5-3. It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Mariners and their fans. Tom Wilhelmsen (1-1, 2.63 ERA) took the loss for Seattle, and Justin Wilson (2-0, 4.58 ERA) was credited with the win for New York. Andrew Miller recorded his 16th save of the season for the Yanks.

The Mariners continue to plummet in the American League West standings. Tonight’s loss places them in 4th, 8.0 games back of the division leading Houston Astros.

Mike Montgomery dazzled in his big league debut on Tuesday night at the Safe. Montgomery allowed just 1 run on 4 hits across 6 innings of work. The 25-year-old southpaw fanned 4 and walked 2 tonight. Monty showed great command with his fastball, and as a result, 64 of his 97 pitches found the strike zone. Montgomery was more than deserving of his first career win tonight, but it did not work out that way. He showed great composure on the mound, and I am looking forward to seeing what he can do in his next outing.

Jun 2, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Fernando Rodney (56) walks back to the dugout after the final out of the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Lloyd McClendon has no choice but to replace Fernando Rodney as the M’s closer. If he does not to it after tonight’s debacle, he never will. Rodney entered in the 9th with a 1 run lead. As per always, F-Rod walked the leadoff man, and could not put the Yankees away. With 2 out and a runner on 1st, Brian McCann sliced a single to left-center field to put runners on the corners. Stephen Drew came through with a 2-out RBI double to put the game into extras. I cannot watch Rodney pitch anymore, he simply is not deserving of the job. I want to see Carson Smith get a chance as the Mariners’ closer moving forward.

C.C. Sabathia was in vintage form tonight for the Yankees. The 34-year-old southpaw allowed 2 runs on 9 hits across 5.2 innings of work. Sabathia struck out 6 Mariners and walked 2 this evening. While he is not the dominant hurler he once was, Sabathia was effective tonight as 62 of his 96 pitches were called strikes.

The Mariners’ offense was paced tonight by Austin Jackson who went 4 for 4 with a walk, hit by pitch, stolen base, RBI and run scored. AJ was brilliant tonight, and it is safe to say Tuesday’s game was his best in a Mariners’ uniform. Kyle Seager produced a 2-hit night for Seattle, but struck out a pair of times and left 6 men on base. Logan Morrison had a solid night at the plate, going 2 for 5 and extending his hitting streak to 10 games. The Ms struggles with runners in scoring position continued as they finished 2 for 14 with RISP. It is hard to watch the Mariners right now, and this season seems to be slipping away from them.

It took a while, but the New York bats finally woke up in the 9th inning. The Yanks’ middle infielders had quite a night, as both Didi Gregorius and Stephen Drew registered multi-hit games. Mark Teixeira finished the game 1 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Garrett Jones provided the big blow tonight when he deposited a Joe Beimel fastball into the seats in right field in the 11th. Jones’ dinger was of the 3-run variety and proved to be the game winning hit.

Jun 2, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon (23) speaks with home plate umpire Mike DiMuro (18) after being ejected during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight’s game was eventful to say the least. The headline stealing moment came in the bottom of the 3rd inning when Mike Zunino and Lloyd McClendon were ejected after arguing a check swing. It was the first time in Zunino’s career he was tossed, it was not the first time for McClendon. The Mariners’ skipper stomped around comically, but that was the only redeeming quality in his fit. The fans gave both Zunino and McClendon a standing ovation. Zunino has looked angry for days, and he took out his frustration tonight on the umpires. McClendon’s antics will be shown on SportsCenter, but it seemed desperate to me.

McClendon and Zunino will claim they were supporting Montgomery, but how is the starting catcher and manger getting tossed supporting a pitcher making his big league debut. Monty looked rattled immediately following the ejections, and surrender his lone run of the night. Thankfully, he was able to regroup, but I feel like the ejections were just further proof this season is going off the rails.

The Seattle Mariners (24-28) will hope to avoid being swept by the New York Yankees (28-25) on Wednesday afternoon at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Taijuan Walker (2-5, 6.18 ERA) threw 8 shutout innings his last time out, and he will look to replicate that performance tomorrow afternoon. Masahiro Tanaka (2-1, 3.22 ERA) will get the ball for the Yankees in the series finale. Root Sports Northwest will broadcast the game live, and MLB.com subscribers can watch on connected devices.

Next: Mariners All Star Voting Update

Mariners Game Recap: M’s Blow Late Lead, Lose 5-3 in Extras

More from SoDo Mojo

Schedule