Mariners Power Past Chicago with Walk-Offs
Two walk-off home runs got the Mariners a series win over the White Sox and pushed them one game over .500 going into a lengthy road trip.
The long ball was on display in this three game set against the White Sox and thankfully, two of the 12 homers hit this series were walk-off bombs for the Mariners.
The Mariners matched up against Chicago’s ace, Chris Sale, the tough lefty who got the starting nod for the American League All Stars last week and he dominated from the get-go.
Sale made the Mariners lineup look like the David to his Goliath as he went 8 innings allowing just one hit to Franklin Gutierrez and striking out 6. To help him out, he got early run support from his shortstop, Tim Anderson, who hit a solo shot into the left field bleachers off of Wade LeBlanc in the top of the 1st inning, and Todd Frazier added a two-run blast of his own in the 4th to give Chicago a 3-0 lead that lasted until the bottom of the 9th.
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Chicago’s skipper Robin Ventura showed mercy on the Mariners’ bats and brought in David Robertson to close it out.
Franklin Gutierrez greeted the righty with a lead-off base hit. Robinson Cano grounded into a fielder’s choice to put him on first and Nelson Cruz walked to put runners on first and second with just one out. Dae-Ho Lee would strike out and Kyle Seager was the potential final out for the White Sox. He had other plans, thankfully and put Seattle on the scoreboard when he singled and scored Cano from second. Chicago’s lead was cut to 3-1. Adam Lind was called to pinch hit for Chris Iannetta and hit a walk-off three-run bomb to send Mariners fans home happy with a 4-3 win.
Game 1 Notes
Sale is as tough as they come. His stuff is absolutely filthy and he is incredibly aggressive. He’s fun to watch.
Guti’s hit early in the game needs more credit because if not for that, Sale might have come out for the 9th to complete a no hitter.
Lind may be overshadowed by Seattle fans because of Dae-Ho Lee, but man it seems like he comes up clutch an awful lot late in games.
David Rollins got the win for Seattle and it was his first career MLB win.
Another nice outing from LeBlanc. Seven innings and three runs is quality and we’ll take that start any day.
Next: Game Two