Mariners Game Recap: M’s Storm Back to Beat Reds in Cincy

The Mariners scored 8 runs over the final four innings to beat the Reds on Friday night in Cincy.

The Seattle Mariners took the opener against the Cincinnati Reds, 8-3 on Friday night at the Great American Ball Park. Hisashi Iwakuma (2-4, 4.39 ERA) was credited with the victory for the Mariners, and Blake Wood (3-1, 4.87 ERA) earned the loss for Cincy.

The Reds took an early lead in the home half of the first inning. Iwakuma sat down the first two men of the ballgame, but he issued a key two-out walk to Joey Votto. Brandon Phillips cashed in, lacing an RBI double into the left-center field gap. Votto should’ve been gunned down at the plate, but Chris Iannetta was unable to handle the relay thrown from Ketel Marte. Kuma stranded Phillips at second base, but Cincinnati held a 1-0 lead after one inning.

Cincinnati doubled their lead in the third inning. Zack Cozart led off the frame by lining an 86 mph sinker over the wall in center field for a solo homer. Cozart’s 5th home run of the year made it a 2-0 game.

More from Mariners News

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan

The Reds tacked on another run the following inning. Jay Bruce grounded out for the first out, but things went sideways from there. Eugenio Suarez was walked on four pitches, and he advanced to second base on an Adam Duvall single. Tucker Barnhart snuck a ground ball under the glove of a diving Robinson Cano for an RBI single. Cincinnati proceeded to load the bases, but Iwakuma was able to dance out of trouble.

The Mariners cut into Cincy’s lead in the top of the sixth inning. Cano was plunked leading off the inning. Nelson Cruz struck out, but Kyle Seager scorched a ground ball into the right field corner for an RBI double. It could’ve been worse for the Reds had it not been for an outstanding diving grab by Billy Hamilton in center field to rob Adam Lind of extra bases.

As has been the case for much of the season, Hisashi Iwakuma was never truly in control but he was also never out of control tonight. The veteran right-hander allowed 3 runs on 6 hits across 6 innings pitched. Kuma fanned 6 Reds and issued 3 free passes. He seemed to be in trouble all night, but managed to keep the Mariners in the game.

Seattle fought back to score four runs and take the lead in the top of the seventh. Blake Wood took over for Reds’ starter Dan Straily, and the M’s took advantage of his inability to throw strikes. The Mariners loaded the bases with none out before Seth Smith worked an RBI walk. Cano was hit yet again by a pitch, and this time it brought home the tying run. Dae-ho Lee continues to hit well with runners on base, scoring a pair of M’s to take the lead with a single to right field.

Mike Montgomery was called on to work the seventh inning for the Mariners. The lanky lefty was very effective tonight, keeping the Reds off the scoreboard. With the scoreless frame, Monty now boats a 1.99 ERA on the season.

The M’s added an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Iannetta walked to open the inning, and he moved up to third base after Leonys Martin clubbed a double over the head of Jay Bruce in right field. Marte lofted a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to score Iannetta to give Seattle a 6-3 lead.

More from SoDo Mojo

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB

Nick Vincent was tasked with preserving the M’s 3-run cushion, and the bearded right-hander was successful. Vincent cut right through the Reds, striking out two en route to a perfect inning. Vincent has been a pleasant surprise for Seattle this season, as he has arguably been the M’s best righty reliever in 2016.

Nelson Cruz got into the action in the ninth, going jumbo on Jumbo Diaz. The Boomstick tattooed a 95 mph fastball, depositing it into the second deck in left field. The round-tripper was of the solo variety. Lee then won the epic heavyweight battle, connecting on a solo homer to run the Mariners lead to 8-3.

Scott Servais opted to hand the ball over to Joel Peralta in the bottom of the ninth, and the 40-year-old righty got the job done.

Next: Mike Zunino Hits Rough Patch in Tacoma

Looking ahead, the Seattle Mariners (24-17) will attempt to win the series with the Cincinnati Reds (15-27) on Saturday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 pm PT from the Great American Ball Park. Felix Hernandez (3-3, 2.47 ERA) will get the ball for the Mariners, and John Lamb (0-1, 5.79 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Reds.