Mariners Game Recap: M's Outlast Twins to Split Series

2. 4. 62. Final. 1

It took 11 innings, but the Seattle Mariners (48-58) were able to escape the Twin Cities with a win this afternoon. The M’s edged the Minnesota Twins (54-50) 4-1 in the series finale on Sunday. Fernando Rodney (4-4, 5.32 ERA) was credited with the win after pitching a scoreless inning in relief. Kevin Jepsen (2-6, 3.21 ERA) took the loss for the Twins. Tom Wilhelmsen worked effectively in the 11th en route to earning his 2nd save of the season.

Aug 2, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher

Hisashi Iwakuma

(18) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the 9th inning at Target Field. The Mariners win 4-1 in 11 innings. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Hisashi Iwakuma allowed 1 run on 3 hits across 8.2 innings of work. He had a 1-hit shutout working in the 9th, until Brian Dozier took him deep to left field to tie the game. Regardless of the solo shot, Kuma was brilliant. He struck out 8, walked 1 and required just 91 pitches to retire 26 Twins. The Dozier home run snapped the 34-year-old right-hander’s 42 inning shutout streak against Minnesota. It’s unfortunate he could have pitched this well in his previous outing, as he may have netted the M’s a few nice prospects at the trade deadline.

Carson Smith looked bad last night, but he rebounded nicely today by striking out Miguel Sano to end the Twins’ threat in the 9th. Fernando Rodney keep Minnesota off the scoreboard in the 10th, and was credited with the win for Seattle. Tom Wilhelmsen was called on to shut the door in the 11th, and he earned his 2nd save of the season.

Fans were treated to an epic pitching battle in the series finale, as Mike Pelfrey was equally as dominant as Kuma this afternoon. Pelfrey scattered 4 hits across 8 shutout innings against the Mariners. The veteran right-hander fanned 3 and walked 1 in the no-decision. Pelfrey made it look easy today, and he dropped his season ERA to 3.65 in the process.

However, the Twinkies’ bullpen did not find the same success. Glen Perkins has made back-to-back All-Star appearances, but he was touched up for a solo home run in the 9th to give Seattle the lead. Kevin Jepsen was acquired by Minnesota at this season’s trade deadline, but he suffered his first loss with his new club today. Jepsen allowed 2 runs to cross the plate in the 11th, and was removed from the game after retiring just 1 hitter.

Nelson Cruz has played a pivotal role in nearly every Mariners’ win in 2015, and that trend continued this afternoon. The ‘Boomstick’ sparked the M’s offense in the 9th inning when he launched a go-ahead solo home run that careened high off the batters eye in center field. Logan Morrison has reportedly fallen out of favor with Lloyd McClendon, but he plated plated the game winning run in the 11th with a double. Austin Jackson provided some breathing room late with a 2-run single to left field. Hot shot rookie, Ketel Marte went 3 for 4 with a walk this afternoon. The 3-hit showing was the first for Marte in the big leagues.

Brian Dozier had the key hit for the Twins this afternoon. The All-Star second baseman yanked a game-tying solo home run over the wall in left field in the bottom of the 9th inning. Dozier is an under-the-radar type of player, but he is quickly developing into a star with the Twins. Eduardo Escobar was the only Minnesota player to tally multiple hits, as he finished 2 for 4 with a double. Joe Mauer accounted for the only other hit when he sliced a single through the right side of the infield in the 9th inning.

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