Mariner Game Recap: Mariners do the Impossible

The Mariners pulled of the greatest comeback in club history during Thursday’s 16-13 victory against the Padres.

The Seattle Mariners (31-22) came back from a 10-run deficit to beat the San Diego Padres (21-34) 16-13 on Thursday night. Recently called up Cody Martin (1-0, 0.00 ERA) was the pitcher on record for the win. Former Mariners reliever Brandon Maurer (0-1, 7.11 ERA) took the loss for the Padres.

Much like the last few games, the Mariners started this game off scoring the first run. It was 1-0 Mariners going into the bottom of the 1st. The Padres offense was still running off the good feelings of last night and they quickly made this game seem out of reach for the Mariners. They scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 1st  inning, and the Mariners were in a quick hole. Wade Miley was just the most recent Mariners’ pitchers to have a rough outing, and it looked like the Padres were going to capitalize on that.

Nelson Cruz clubbed a solo home run in the top of the fourth to make the score 4-2, still in favor of the Padres. Similar to the night before, the Padres came back in the bottom half of the inning to get a run right back from Mariners pitching. At the end of the 4th, it was 5-2 Padres, thanks to an RBI single by Jon Jay.

The bottom of the 5th inning is where the Padres did their most damage. After a run-scoring single by Alexei Ramirez, the Padres scored a run on a balk by Wade Miley. That balk made the score 7-2 Padres. Mike Montgomery came in to pitch and allowed an eventual five runs to cross the plate. San Diego was up 12-2 and the game seemed distant, but not out of reach for the Mariners.

It’s a cool thing that we have going here with the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club. This year as fans, we have got to experience this thing called confidence. Not a confidence that we’re going to come back from every game that we find ourselves down in, but a confidence that no matter the outcome, we’re going to be alright. Tonight was not one of those nights that we were just alright. We didn’t let a 10-run deficit scare us.  The 2016 Seattle Mariners don’t care about your preseason worries, your corner outfield doubts or even the way you shudder when you find out that Felix will be out for two week; they care about scoring runs.

Were you wondering when I would get to the 7th inning? You just wait, because first, the 6th inning happened. Kyle “5 RBI on the night” Seager started the inning off with a RBI double that scored Seth Smith and Robinson Cano. That would only be one of the highlights of the night. Shortly after, with Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz on base, Dae-ho Lee would blast a three-run home run left field. The Mariners were now within five runs of San Diego, Mariners 7, Padres 12. 

In the 7th inning, the Seattle Mariners would play the most rewarding inning they have played all season. This was the inning where the Mariners would score NINE runs, and retake the lead from the Padres for good. Similar to the game on Tuesday, the Mariners did all their damage with 2-outs.  Kyle Seager got things started with a line drive to right field, scoring Nori Aoki and Franklin Gutierrez. Mariners 9, Padres 12. 

At this point, everyone is thinking, “there’s no way, they’re really going to do this.” Next up, Lee delivers with a another hit to right field. Robinson Cano scores. Mariners 10, Padres 12. Chris Iannetta, who had two hits in his last 25 at bats, shot a single to left field, scoring Seager. Mariners 11-Padres 12. The Mariners were not even being close to done. Tacoma call-ups Stefen Romero and Shawn O’Malley both tack on run scoring singles, Mariners 13-Padres 12.  The Mariners are close to batting around the lineup when Aoki singles in Romero, and Guti follows that up with a two-run single to center. Mariners 16-Padres 12.  When it was all said and done, the Mariners ended the night 11-12 with runners in scoring position, and more importantly, with a win over the San Diego Padres.

If you don’t believe in them yet, I suggest you get on board. Go Mariners.

Next: Mariners Chasing Records Like it's The Late 90s

Tomorrow the Mariners (31-22) will start a very important series against the Texas Rangers (31-22). With the win tonight, the Mariners are tied for first place with the Rangers in the American League West. Taijuan Walker (2-5, 3.31 ERA) will look to bounce back with a win for the Mariners. Yu Darvish (1-0, 1.80 ERA) will be making his second start of the season after coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2015. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM PT at Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX.