Mariners Game Recap: Adam Lind, M’s Walk-off White Sox in Series Opener

Better late than never was the Mariners’ motto on Monday, as Seattle plated four runs in the 9th to beat the White Sox in the series opener at Safeco Field.

The Seattle Mariners (47-46) staged a miraculous comeback to take the series opener against the Chicago White Sox (45-47) on Monday night, winning 4-3 at Safeco Field. The Mariners couldn’t solve Chris Sale tonight, but they plated four runs in the ninth to stain the Sox in Seattle. David Rollins (1-1, 4.26 ERA) picked up the win in relief for the Mariners, and David Robertson (0-2, 4.14 ERA) took the loss for Chicago.

Chicago jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. LeBlanc struck out Adam Eaton leading off the ballgame, but he had significantly more trouble retiring Tim Anderson. The White Sox shortstop leaned into a LeBlanc fastball, yanking it over the wall in left field for a solo home run. The round-tripper gave the Sox a 1-0 lead.

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The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fourth inning. Melky Cabrera led off the frame with a single on a soft line drive to left field. Todd Frazier put on quite a show in last week’s Home Run Derby, and he flexed his muscles once again tonight. The 30-year-old slugged a two-run shot that sailed over the wall in center field to give Chicago a 3-0 lead.

LeBlanc was removed following the seventh inning after allowing 3 runs on 9 hits. The 31-year-old southpaw fanned 6 White Sox and issued just 1 free pass on the night. Not much was expected from LeBlanc when the Mariners acquired him last month, but the veteran hurler has been a pleasant surprise during his brief career in Seattle.

Scott Servais handed the ball over to Vidal Nuno in the eighth inning, and he responded with a perfect frame. David Rollins entered in the top of the ninth, and held the Sox off the scoreboard to keep the Mariners within shouting distance.

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Things were looking bleak in the Emerald City after Chris Sale 1-hit the Mariners through 8 innings, but that all changed when David Robertson trotted in from the White Sox bullpen in the ninth. Franklin Gutierrez energized the crowd by leading off the inning with a single. After Robinson Cano grounded into a force-out, Nelson Cruz worked a walk to give the M’s a pair of baserunners. Dae-ho Lee struck out for the second out, but Kyle Seager made it a 3-1 game with an RBI single.

Still in the ninth, Servais called Chris Iannetta back to the dugout and sent the struggling Adam Lind to the plate with the game on the line. The veteran first baseman set the Seattle night on fire by launching a game-winning three-run homer to right-center field. Understandably, Safeco Field erupted as Lind provided one of the more memorable moments of the season thus far.

Next: Felix Hernandez on Track to Start Wednesday

Up next for the Mariners is another date with the Chicago White Sox at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave on Tuesday night. Wade Miley (6-6, 5.44 ERA) will try to keep the momentum going for the Mariners, and Jose Quintana (7-8, 3.21 ERA) will get the ball for the visiting White Sox.