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Mariners Game Recap: M’s Honor Griffey by Beating Angels in Seattle

By Brian Helberg

Apr 8, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners former outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. is introduced during a pre game ceremony honoring his selection to the baseball hall of fame before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners former outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. is introduced during a pre game ceremony honoring his selection to the baseball hall of fame before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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6. 62. Final. 4. 102

The Mariners retired Ken Griffey Jr’s number on Friday night at Safeco Field, and they honored Junior by defeating the Halos.

Ken Griffey Jr. Weekend started off on the right foot for the Seattle Mariners, as the home side won 6-4 against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Felix Hernandez (6-4, 3.55 ERA) had a very strong outing and earned the win for the M’s. Tim Lincecum (2-6, 9.16 ERA) was abysmal in the losing effort. Edwin Diaz struck out the side in the ninth to earn his third save of the season.

Things did not go well for the Mariners in the early going, as the Angles pushed across three runs in the top of the first inning. Yunel Escobar led off the ballgame with a ringing double to left field. Kole Calhoun was walked on four pitches to give Los Angeles a pair of baserunners and none out. Mike Trout always seems to hit King Felix hard, and that was the case again tonight. Trout sent an 88 mph changeup over the wall in left field for a three-run home run to give Los Angeles a 3-0 lead.

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Perhaps inspired by Junior and the offensive minded Mariners of the mid-90’s, the modern day incarnation scored six runs to take the lead in the home half of the first inning.  Nori Aoki led off the frame with a single. Aoki then stole second base and moved up to third base on a Seth Smith single. Robinson Cano plated Aoki on a single, and Nelson Cruz loaded the bases with a single of his own. Adam Lind singled home another run, and Leonys Martin tied the game with a sacrifice fly. Mike Zunino stepped into the box with runners on second and third with two out. Z worked the count full before launching a changeup deep to left field for a three-run jack. Zunino’s 6th homer of the season gave the Mariners a 6-3 lead.

The score remained 6-3 until the top of the fifth inning. Jett Bandy led off the frame with a bang, lining a solo home run over the wall in left-center field. The rookie backstop’s 6th home run of the year shrunk the Mariners lead to 6-4.

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Felix Hernandez settled in beautifully after a rough first inning. The Mariners’ ace turned in arguably his best outing of the season, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits across 8 innings of work. Hernandez fanned 6 Angels and walked just 3. Had it not been for the pair of home runs, tonight could have been really special night for King Felix.

Scott Servais turned to Edwin Diaz with a two run lead in the top of the ninth inning. The fireballing righty struck out Trout for the first out. Next, Diaz mowed down future Hall of Famer, Albert Pujols, on three pitches. Diaz then completed the hat trick, striking out Andrelton Simmons to end the ball game.

Next: Has Mike Zunino Turned Over a New Leaf?

Griffey Weekend continues on Saturday night, as the Seattle Mariners (55-53) will once again host the Los Angeles Angels (49-60) at Safeco Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 pm from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Taijuan Walker (4-7, 3.66 ERA) will make his return from the disabled list for the Mariners, and Tyler Skaggs (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will be on the bump for the Halos.

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