Mariners Game Recap: Seager Lights Up Big Apple, but M's Fall in Opener

4. 43. Final. 3. 62

The New York Yankees (49-40) beat the Seattle Mariners (41-49) 4-3 Friday night at Yankee Stadium in the first game after the All-Star break. Masahiro Tanaka (6-3, 3.65 ERA) earned his 6th win of the season for the Yanks. Joe Beimel (0-1, 3.00 ERA) took the loss for Seattle. Andrew Miller keep the M’s off the scoreboard in the 9th to pick up his 19th save.

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Mike Montgomery produced an inconsistent showing for the Mariners. The lanky left-hander allowed 3 runs on 7 hits through 6 innings of work. Monty struck out 9, but issued 3 free passes. He was touched up for a solo blast, but at the same time he did a nice job working out of a few jams. Montgomery did not have pinpoint command, however 66 of his 104 pitches still managed to find the strike zone. It was definitely not his best outing, but he kept the M’s in the game, and that is all you can really ask.

The Mariners’ bullpen did not do their job tonight. Joe Beimel was called on to pitch the 7th inning, and that is probably a decision Lloyd McClendon regrets. The veteran southpaw served up a solo home run that gave the Yanks the lead, and ultimately proved to be the game winning run. Tom Wilhelmsen was recalled earlier in the day, and he pitched 0.2 shutout innings tonight. Vidal Nuno retired the last 2 hitters in the 8th to keep it a 1-run game.

Masahiro Tanaka fared reasonably well in the series opener on Friday night for New York. Tanaka allowed 3 runs on 5 hits across 7 innings. He struck out 7, walked 2 and gave up a pair of home runs. 63 of his 103 pitches found the zone, but the M’s did not see Tanaka’s best stuff this evening. Dellin Betances hurled a perfect 8th to earn his 13th hold of the season. Andrew Miller got the save despite allowing the tying run to reach in the final frame.

Simply put; Kyle Seager was the Mariners’ offense on Friday night. Seags went yard twice, and was responsible for all 3 of the M’s runs. He finished 2 for 4 on the night hitting out of the second spot in the M’s lineup. Austin Jackson also had a nice game for Seattle. AJ went 2 for 4, and raised his batting average to .255 on the season. I had high hopes for Brad Miller before the ballgame, but he fell flat in the leadoff role. Crazy Legs went 0 for 4, but he did come around to score on one of Seager’s homers.

Chris Young gave Monty fits tonight. The former All-Star went 2 for 4, with a double, a home run, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. Young is having a nice season for the Bronx Bombers in 2015. Alex Rodriguez went 2 for 4 with a home run, 1 RBI and 2 runs scored. The most hated man in baseball hit a solo blast in the 7th that proved to be the game winning hit. Chase Headley and Brian McCann each had a hit apiece, and they were responsible for the other New York runs.

Jul 17, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) reacts as he rounds first after hitting a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Rodriguez hitting a game winning h0me run ranks high on the list of most painful losses this season for the Mariners. As many of you know, A-Rod spent the first 7 years of his career calling the Emerald City home. He bolted for greener pastures in Texas before forcing his way to the Big Apple in 2004. He is undoubtably the most unlikable man in the game, and seeing him come through in the clutch tonight was nauseating. Nothing comes close to the Wilhelmsen wild pitch walk off, or the pain from a Fernando Rodney blown save, but watching A-Rod trot around the bases with a dumb look on his face hurt.

Seattle dropped half a game in the race for the race for the American League West crown with the loss tonight. The M’s now trail the division leading Los Angeles Angels by 8 games. The loss also hurt the Mariners standing in the wildcard, as they now sit 7.5 game back.

The Seattle Mariners (41-49) will attempt to even the series with the New York Yankees (49-40) tomorrow afternoon at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 10:05 am from the Bronx. Hisashi Iwakuma (1-1, 5.22 ERA) pitched 8 shutout innings his last time out, and he will hope to build on that Saturday for Seattle. Former Mariner, Michael Pineda (9-5, 3.64 ERA) will get the ball for the Yanks. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: 5 Mariners that Need to Step Up in the 2nd Half

Mariners Game Recap: Seager Lights Up Big Apple, but M’s Fall in Opener

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