Mariners Game Recap: M’s Win with Gutierrez Pinch Hit and Cruz Insurance

April 22, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Franklin Gutierrez (21) hits an RBI single in the tenth inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
April 22, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Franklin Gutierrez (21) hits an RBI single in the tenth inning against Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. 102. 2. 62. Final

The Seattle Mariners win the first game of the series against the Angels as Hisashi Iwakuma sparkles and Franklin Gutierrez gets a pinch hit RBI single in the 10th and Cruz provides an insurance home run.

The Seattle Mariners (8-8) beat the Anaheim Angels (7-10), 5-2 on Friday night in Anaheim.  Hisashi Iwakuma pitched a masterful eight innings but would not factor into the decision as he was removed from the game with a tie game after the 8th inning.  Joel Peralta (1-0, 2.25) pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning for the win. Nick Tropeano got through just five innings with 94 pitches and was replaced by a reliever.  Jose Alvarez (0-1, 7.36 ERA) would get tagged with the loss in this game as he was hit hard in the 10th inning.  Steve Cishek (4, 1.00 ERA) worked a perfect 10th inning to record his 4th save of the season.

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The Mariners started the scoring in this contest.  Nori Aoki led off the game with a double and Seth Smith walked against Nick Tropeano.  Robinson Cano singled to load the bases.  Nelson Cruz hit a sacrifice fly to score Aoki.  Then Kyle Seager walked.  Then Adam Lind hit another sacrifice fly and Smith would score.  In the top of the 10th inning Ketel Marte led off with a single.  Then after Aoki sacrificed him to second, Franklin Gutierrez hit an RBI single to center field and the Mariners would take the lead 3-2.  Then Nelson Cruz hit a low line drive missile into the left field stands that had an exit speed of 111 mph to make it 5-2.

Hisashi Iwakuma, who filled in for late scratch Felix Hernandez due to the flu, pitched a great game.  Other than two long balls by C.J. Cron and Kole Calhoun, Iwakuma was nails.  Iwakuma would pitch 89 pitches in eight innings and give up two runs on six hits, three strikeouts and one walk.  In the 9th inning Joel Peralta came in to face the heart of the Angels lineup and retired all three batters.  He struck out Mike Trout, got Albert Pujols to fly out to deep center field, and generated a ground ball out from Kole Calhoun.  Steve Cishek closed it out in the 10th inning.

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The story of the game is the excellent pitching from Hisashi Iwakuma.  He went deeper than any Mariners starter has gone in any game this season, eight full innings.  The Mariners bullpen deserves a nod as well as Joel Peralta and Steve Cishek combine to set down six angels in a row.  Nelson Cruz had 3 RBI’s in the game and is easily one of the offensive stars of the game.  He had a sacrifice fly in the first inning and an insurance missile into the left field stands in the 10th.  But my player of the game is pinch hitter Franklin Gutierrez who came off the bench to pinch hit for Seth Smith and got the RBI single in the 10th to get the lead.

This is the second game in a row that the Mariners win in ten innings.  If the Mariners are going to get over .500 they will need to continue close games like this one.  They have now climbed back to .500 and will look to get above the mark tomorrow.

Next: Cano Powers the Mariners in Win against Indians

The Seattle Mariners (8-8) will take on the Anaheim Angels (6-10) Saturday evening in Anaheim. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm PT from Angel Stadium.  Felix Hernandez (1-1, 1.00 ERA) will take the hill for the Mariners. Hector Santiago (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will be on the mound for the Angels. Root Sports Northwest will carry the game live locally, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch worldwide on connected devices.