Mariners Game Recap: M’s Take Padres to Church, Win 16-4

The Mariners embarrassed the Padres on Tuesday afternoon, winning 16-4 at Safeco Field in Seattle.

The Seattle Mariners tore apart the San Diego Padres, winning 16-4 to take the second game of the Vedder Cup at Safeco Field. The M’s have now won the first two games, and have guaranteed themselves at least a split of the 2016 Vedder Cup. Hisashi Iwakuma (4-4, 4.41 ERA) earned the victory for Seattle, and James Shields (2-7, 4.28 ERA) took the loss.

Kuma had a bit of a bipolar outing this afternoon. The 35-year-old right-hander blanked San Diego across the first 5 innings before surrendering 4 runs on 3 home runs during the next 2 innings. Iwakuma exited after allowing 4 runs on 5 hits across 7 innings of work. He struck out 5 and walked none. The Japanese import looked great for the majority of his start today, but he needs to limit the long ball if he plans on being successful this summer.

The Mariners jumped all over the Padres this afternoon, scoring at least 1 run in each of the first 5 innings. Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz worked back-to-back walks to give the M’s a pair of baserunners with two out in the 1st inning. Kyle Seager came through in the clutch, scoring Cano on a line-drive to right field.

Seattle added 6, yes 6, runs in the home half of the second inning to give them a 7-0 lead. With two outs already recorded, Cano nursed a bases loaded walk to bring home the first run of the inning. Cruz followed with a 2-run single, and Seager blew the game wide open with a 3-run home run. A 6 run inning is always remarkable, but scoring 6 runs with 2 outs is even more impressive.

The M’s scored 3 more runs in the 3rd inning as the result of yet another two out rally. Steve Clevenger singled and one batter later, Nori Aoki contributed a single of his own. Seth Smith then got into the act, slugging a 3-run homer over the wall in right field.

Seattle plated a pair of runs in the home half of the 4th. Adam Lind lined a one out single to center field. Franklin Gutierrez joined the homer parade with a 2-run shot to right field. Guti’s blast made it a 12-0 game.

The Mariners hung 4 runs on the Padres in the bottom of the 5th. Smitty started the scoring by depositing a 98 mph fastball into The ‘Pen in left-center field, his second home run of the day. Cruz and Seager keep the inning alive with a pair of two out singles before Lind launched a 3-run homer that sailed over the wall in center field. Lind’s 6th round-tripper of the season gave the Mariners a commanding 16-0 lead.

San Diego cut into the M’s lead in the top of the 6th. Alexei Ramirez led off the frame with a single, and Travis Jankowski got the Padres on the board with a 2-run home run. Matt Kemp then yanked a Hisashi Iwakuma splitter over the wall in left field for a solo homer.

The Padres trimmed the M’s cushion to 12 runs in the 7th inning. Hector Sanchez muscled up on a sinker, sending it over the wall in right field for a solo homer.

Vidal Nuno emerged from the bullpen to work the 8th inning for the Mariners. The quirky southpaw retired the side without allowing a run to preserve the M’s significant lead.

Scott Servais turned to Mike Montgomery in the top of the 9th. Monty mowed down the Padres to secure the Mariners lopsided victory.

Obviously, this was a fun game to watch for M’s fans. Nothing beats seeing the Mariners rack up 16 runs through on a beautiful sunny day in the Emerald City. These kinds of performances have been few and far between in recent years, but this group of Mariners is teaching us all to believe again in the power of SoDo Mojo. Honestly, there is a sense that 2016 will be the year the M’s snap their lengthy postseason drought.

Next: M’s Score 9 Runs on Memorable Memorial Day

The Seattle Mariners (30-21) will now head south to San Diego to play the back half of the home and home with the Padres (20-33). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm on Wednesday night from Petco Park. Felix Hernandez (4-4, 2.86 ERA) will be on the bump for the Mariners, and Christian Friedrich (1-1, 1.65 ERA) will get the ball for the Padres.