Mariners Game Recap: M’s Score 9 Runs on Memorable Memorial Day

The Mariners were swept this past weekend by the Minnesota Twins at Safeco Field, and they took out their frustration on the Padres Monday afternoon.

The Seattle Mariners routed the San Diego Padres, winning 9-3 in the opener of the 2016 Vedder Cup on Monday afternoon at Safeco Field. Seattle scored all 9 runs in the final 4 innings to pick up the win. Nate Karns (5-1, 3.43 ERA) was credited with the victory for the Mariners, and Andrew Cashner (2-5, 4.79 ERA) took the loss for San Diego.

Nate Karns may not have had his best stuff on Monday, but he was more than good enough to earn the win. The 28-year-old right-hander allowed just 2 runs on 8 hits across 6.2 innings pitched. Karns rung up 6 punch outs and issued 1 free pass. The Padres were able to get at least one player on base in 6 of Karns’ 7 innings, but the crafty hurler was very effective at limiting the damage.

The Padres opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning. Melvin Upton Jr. led off the frame with a single to left field. Upton then stole second base to put himself in scoring position with none out. Christian Bethancourt ripped a line-drive single into center field and Upton scored without a throw to give San Diego a 1-0 lead.

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The Visitors doubled their lead in the top of the 6th inning. Matt Kemp kicked off the inning with a ground-rule double. Two batters later, Brett Wallace lofted a fly ball down the left field line. Seth Smith was there in time, but he was unable to make the catch. Kemp scored on the play to give the Padres a 2-0 lead.

Seattle came through with a 4-run 6th inning to take the lead. Following a Shawn O’Malley groundout, Nori Aoki reached on catcher interference. Smitty made up for his defensive blunder, splitting the gap in left-center field for an RBI double. Robinson Cano flew out, but Nelson Cruz scored Smith on a ground ball back through the box into center field. Kyle Seager put the exclamation point on the inning, launching a 2-run home run that impressed Russell Wilson (who was at the game with Ciara) and gave the Mariners a 4-2 lead.

Nate Karns was lifted from the ballgame with two outs and a runner on second base in the 7th inning. Steve Johnson came on, and struck out Wil Myers to end the Padres threat.

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Scott Servais turned to Joaquin Benoit with a 2-run lead in the 8th inning. The veteran right-hander required just 8 pitches to retire the side and preserve the Mariners slim lead.

The Mariners blew the game wide open in the home half of the 8th inning. After loading the bases with only 1 out, Adam Lind drove in a pair of runs with a single to center field. His platoon partner at first base, Dae-ho Lee, then muscled up on a 97 mph fastball for a 3-run home run. Lee’s 7th roundtripper of the season gave Seattle a 9-2 lead.

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Up next, the Mariners (29-21) will host the San Diego Padres (20-32) on Tuesday afternoon in Game 2 of the Vedder Cup at Safeco Field. It will be a rare Tuesday matinee, as first pitch is scheduled for 12:35 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Hisashi Iwakuma (3-4, 4.33 ERA) will get the ball for the Mariners, and James Shields (2-6, 3.06 ERA) will potentially make his final start in a Padres’ uniform.