2022 Best Mariners games #7 ‘Good Vibes Only’

This game featured a preview of what would be an epic Wild Card Series between the Mariners and Blue Jays. The title of this article speaks for itself, as it was the iconic call of this Apple TV special. Seattle came into the game on a five-game winning streak. Mariners rookie George Kirby had his hands full facing Ross Stripling and a deep Toronto lineup.

Kirby pitched in and out of trouble as the Blue Jays got to him for 10 hits, but he only gave up two runs over 4.1 IP. Stripling had a similar performance, surrendering 7 hits and 2 runs in 5 IP. This game would come down to the strength of each team’s bullpens.

The Mariners bullpen was a bit of a rollercoaster through the first half of the season, but in this game, they showed how lethal they could be. Penn Murfee, Andres Munoz, Diego Castillo, Ken Giles, Paul Sewald, and Ryan Borucki gave up just 2 hits while keeping a potent Blue Jays lineup from scoring over 6.2 IP.

The Blue Jays bullpen was equally tough for five scoreless innings, as Yimi Garcia, Adam Cimber, Tim Mayza, and Jordan Romano allowed just one hit.

Then came the bottom of the 11th inning with score tied 2-2, the Mariners started the inning with a runner on second. Sergio Romo, who had been released by the Mariners earlier in the season, came into pitch for the Blue Jays. Toronto decided to intentionally walk Carlos Santana, to face Eugenio Suarez. Geno would make the Jays pay for that decision, crushing a 2-1 slider down the left field line for a three-run walk-off homer.

What made the walk-off special was Eugenio Suarez had never hit a walk-off home run in his career until that moment. It also gave the Mariners their sixth straight victory en route to a season-high 14 consecutive wins!