Mariners Game Recap: Rangers Fight Back to Even Series with Seattle

The Mariners held a one-run lead in the ninth inning, but they failed to finish the job against the rival Rangers.

The Texas Rangers rallied late to beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 on Saturday night at Safeco Field. The Mariners were up 1-0 in the ninth, but failed to hold onto the lead. Matt Bush picked up the win for the visiting Rangers, and Mike Montgomery took the loss for Seattle. Sam Dyson made it interesting, but shut the door in time to earn his 9th save of the season.

James Paxton got the ball for the Mariners on Saturday night, and he blanked the Rangers over 6.1 innings pitched. Pax-Man allowed 6 hits while striking out 7 and issuing a pair of free passes. The 27-year-old Ladner, BC product once again showcased impressive velocity on his fastball, flirting with triple digits all night. Paxton also demonstrated solid command of his arsenal, as 61 of his 101 pitches found the strike zone tonight. After a shaky first outing, Paxton is making a strong case to remain with the Mariners even after Felix Hernandez returns next month.

Neither team was able to generate much offense tonight, and the Mariners remained hitless until the bottom of the third inning. With one out in the frame, Steve Clevenger lined a double to center field for the M’s first hit. Ketel Marte bunted Clevenger over to third base, but he was stranded 90 ft. from home plate after Nori Aoki grounded out to second base.

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The Mariners fired the opening salvo in the home half of the fifth inning, plating the game’s first run on an Adam Lind solo home run. Lind fell behind in the count 0-1 before slicing an 82 mph fastball over the wall in left center field. Tonight’s round-tripper was the veteran first baseman’s 8th of the season, and his 7th dinger since May 14.

Edwin Diaz entered the game with one out in the top of the seventh inning. The flame throwing 22-year-old walked the first man he faced, but managed to get Mitch Moreland to ground into a fielder’s choice and Bobby Wilson to pop out to end the frame.

Scott Servais handed the ball over to Joaquin Benoit with a one-run lead in the eighth inning. The 38-year-old right-hander made quick work of the Rangers, retiring the side in order on just 9 pitches to preserve the M’s slim margin.

As per always, Steve Cishek was called on to shut the door in the ninth inning. Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan for Cishek or the Mariners. After striking out Rougned Odor and getting Jared Hoying to fly out to Leonys Martin in center field, Prince Fielder stepped into the box with Texas down to their final out. The veteran slugger worked the count full before yanking a changeup over the wall in right field for a solo blast. Cishek was able to get out of the inning, but Fielder’s homer had tied the game at 1.

The Mariners were able to get the go-ahead run on first base with only one in the ninth inning, but Robinson Cano grounded into an inning ending double play to send the game to extras.

Mike Montgomery came on for Seattle in the tenth, and the 26-year-old southpaw got into a bit of pickle. Monty walked Moreland on four pitches leading off the inning. Moreland advanced to second base on a Bobby Wilson sacrifice bunt, and moved up to third following a Jurickson Profar ground out. Now with two outs in the inning, Ian Desmond was intentionally walked to set up a lefty-lefty matchup with Nomar Mazara. Montgomery got Mazara to ground out to Ketel Marte at shortstop, stranding Moreland at third base and ending the Rangers threat.

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The Mariners rallied in the bottom of the tenth inning. Nelson Cruz led things off by singling on a line drive to center field. Kyle Seager popped out, but Dae-ho Lee delivered a pinch-hit single to put runners on first and second with only one out. Following a Leonys Martin line out, Clevenger worked a free pass to load the bases with two out. Unfortunately, Marte flied out to right field, squandering the M’s opportunity to win the game with the bases loaded.

In an interesting coaching decision, Servais stuck with Monty in the eleventh inning. The move backfired, as the Rangers immediately took the lead following a leadoff home run by Odor. Texas held a 2-1 lead heading to the bottom of the eleventh.

Seattle staged a comeback in the eleventh, but were unable to get the tying run past second base against Sam Dyson.

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Up next for the Mariners (34-28) is the rubber match with the Texas Rangers (38-24) on Sunday afternoon at Safeco Field in Seattle. First pitch of the series finale will be at 1:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Wade Miley (6-2, 5.27 ERA) will be on the bump for the Mariners and Cole Hamels (5-1, 3.32 ERA) will start for the Rangers.