Mariners Game Recap: Seattle Outclasses Texas, Wins 10-2 in Arlington

10. 62. Final. 2. 126

The Mariners outclassed the Rangers on and off the field en route to winning 10-2 on Tuesday night.

The Seattle Mariners (1-1) evened the series with the Texas Rangers (1-1), winning 10-2 on Tuesday night in Arlington, TX. Nick Vincent (1-0, 0.00 ERA) was credited with the victory for Seattle, his first as a member of the Mariners. Tony Barnette (0-1, 27.00 ERA) took the loss for the Rangers.

Hishashi Iwakuma made his first start of the season tonight for the Mariners. Kuma allowed at least one base runner in each of the first three innings tonight, but he managed to keep the Rangers off the scoreboard. However, he was not so lucky in the fourth inning, as the Rangers touched him up for a pair of runs in the frame. Iwakuma was seemingly in trouble all night, but he did a nice job working out of jams to keep Seattle in the game. The 34-year-old exited after allowing 2 runs on 6 hits through 5 innings with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks.

The Mariners got on the board in the top half of the second inning tonight. Nelson Cruz was hit by a pitch and Kyle Seager worked a walk to put runners on first and second base with none out. Following a Franklin Gutierrez pop-out, Chris Iannetta plated Cruz on a line-drive single to center field.

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The Boomstick doubled the M’s lead with one swing of the bat in the top of the fourth. Nelson Cruz crushed a 92-mph fastball deep to left-center field for his first home run of the season. The dinger was of the solo variety and gave Seattle a 2-0 lead. Cruz went yard 44 times last season, and tonight’s long ball was hopefully the first of many in 2016.

The Rangers fought back to tie the game in the home half of the fourth inning. Mitch Moreland ripped a one-out double to right-center field, and Elvis Andrus scored him on a two-out single. Kuma was unable to stop the bleeding and Robinson Chrinos tied the game with a single through the right side of the infield.

Nick Vincent was called on to pitch the sixth inning for Seattle. The 29-year-old was acquired last week from the San Diego Padres, and he made quick work of the Rangers in his M’s debut.

The Mariners failed to generate much offense against Rangers’ starter Martin Perez, so they were relieved to see Tony Barnette take over on the bump in the seventh. Seth Smith was called on as a pinch-hitter to open the inning, and he came through with a single. Leonys Martin burnt his former club, lacing an RBI double down the right field line to give Seattle the lead. Nori Aoki singled home Martin to make it a 4-2 game.

Joel Peralta took over for the Mariners in the seventh. The veteran right-hander walked the leadoff man, but managed to strand him at first base after setting down the next three men he faced in order.

Texas turned to former Mariner Tom Wilhelmsen in the eighth, and the Mariners jumped all over the Bartender in this one. Robinson Cano greeted his former teammate by depositing a ball into the upper deck in right-center field for a solo home run. Cano has now homered in back-to-back games to start the season. This is significant when you consider that Robbie hit just one home run in his first 47 games a season ago.

Still in the eighth, Nelson Cruz came through with a hustle double and Kyle Seager extended the M’s lead with a double of his own. Seth Smith then turned a fastball, yanking it deep to right field. Smith’s first homer of the year gave Seattle a commanding 8-2 lead.

Things got ugly following Smitty’s big fly in the eighth inning. Wilhemlsen deliberately hit Chris Iannetta on the back of the leg. Understandably, Iannetta was not pleased. The Bartender was sent packing by the home plate umpire, and deservingly so. Wilhemlsen was a popular player in Seattle, and I’m sure he will regret behaving in such a childish manner in front of his former fanbase. On the bright side, Scott Servais provided us with some entertainment, as he pointed his finger violently towards the Rangers dugout hurling profanities in Jeff Banister‘s direction.

Texas called on Andrew Faulkner to get them out of the eighth inning, but the young lefty was unable to get the job done. Luis Sardinas muscled up on a fastball to extend the M’s lead to 10-2. The round-tripper was the first of Sardinas’ career, and I’m sure he was happy to hit it against one of his former teams.

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The Mariners handed the ball off to Tony Zych in the bottom half of the eighth. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed the leadoff man to reach on an infield single, but came back to retire the next three men he faced. Zych finished off the game with a scoreless ninth to secure the win for Seattle.

The Seattle Mariners (1-1) will look for the series win on Wednesday afternoon against the Texas Rangers (1-1). First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 am PT from Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX. Wade Miley will make his first start in a Mariners uniform and Colby Lewis will get the ball for the home side in the rubber match. As always, tomorrow’s game will be broadcast live on Root Sports Northwest, and fans can watch worldwide on connected devices.

Next: Mariners Roundtable: Can the M’s Make the Playoffs in 2016?

Based on tonight’s fireworks late in the game, it will be worthwhile tuning into tomorrow’s rubber match.

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