Twins (7-18)
Span CF
Carroll SS
Mauer DH
Willingham LF
Doumit C
Parmalee 1B
Valencia 3B
Komatsu RF
Casilla 2B
Marquis (2-0, 6.23)
Mariners 11-17
Ackley 2B
Ryan SS
Ichiro RF
Montero C
Seager 3B
Jaso DH
Smoak 1B
Carp LF
Saunders CF
Hernandez (2-1, 2.23)
Felix looked good from the start, he struck out nine while giving up just two walks and a hit. All of those were in the 4th inning as he loaded the bases. But Felix pitched his way out of the jam and the Twins were unable to reach base the rest of the game. At that point, it was still a scoreless game.
The home team had at least one runner reach base in each of the first four innings but was unable to capitalize as they hit into three double plays. They were retired in order in the 5th but then were able to break through in the 6th inning with two runs. With the way Felix was pitching, I was sure that the two would be enough and it turned out to be the case. Ackley lead off the inning with an infield single. Then, Ryan was able to get down a sacrifice bunt to advance Ackley. In the 3rd inning Ryan had been unable to sacrifice Saunders and Ackley (after back to back walks to start the inning) with failed bunt attempts, and ended up striking out. In the third, Ichiro then hit into a double play. This time, Ichiro then drew an eight pitch walk. Montero followed with a groundout to the pitcher that advanced the runners, with two outs. Seager then took a 2-0 pitch up the middle for a two rbi single and we had all the runs Felix would need. Jaso followed by what I like to call the "intentional unintentional" walk as Smoak has been struggling all year. Sure enough, he ended the inning with a flyball to left.
We added on a bunch of insurance in the 7th inning. While it was exciting to see, we didn't need it, but it would good to see production out of our lineup. Carp leadoff with a walk, then Saunders laid down a bunt for a single. They put in Wells as pinch runner for Carp. Ackley drew another walk, loading the bases for Ryan who had already laid down a sacrifice bunt his previous at-bat. This time, he did his job with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Wells and advancing Saunders to third. So here comes Ichiro. 1st and 3rd with 1 out, similar to his 3rd inning at-bat when there were runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out and he hit into a double play. This time... he didn't. He launched an 0-1 pitch the the "sweet spot" in right-center for a TRIPLE! It was now 5-0. One out later, on his first pitch, Seager launched his 4th home run of the year to right field that traveled 395 feet. 7-0 Mariners and that was the ballgame.
Easy for me to say that Seager is the player of the game with his 2 hits and 4 RBI, closely followed by Felix. He was excellent, but without Seager's offense it could have been a whole different ballgame. It is important to support Felix, as he pitches his heart out every game and rarely sees a reward for his efforts. Felix didn't come out to pitch the 9th, but I guess it was because there was no need. The game was in hand, no reason to risk his health on a cold night. I was hoping to see a complete game from him.
Everyone in the lineup contributed, by either getting on base or producing a run. That's what you like to see. We had had 7 hits and 8 walks, with only 2 strikeouts. This has already been a streaky season and we are only a month in, it is going to continue to be a long but interesting ride.
Mariners now 3-5 when I attend
Attendance: 28,437
Time of Game: 2:33
No comments:
Post a Comment