By Bel Garcia
Seattle, WA - George Kirby made his Mariners debut today as the starting pitcher in the last of a 4-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Mariners, down 0—3 in the series to the Rays, were trying to avoid getting swept. Seattle was able to come together for the win at the end of the game. Kirby, one of the franchises’ best pitching prospects, was on the mound until the start of the 7th inning and he came out hot. He struck out 3 players in the first inning and ended the night with 7 strikeouts on 81-55 pitches/strikes.
Jarred Kelenic, Mariners outfielder (Photo by Mat Bermudez)
Julio Rodriguez does it again
Stolen base leader Julio Rodriguez was able to successfully steal 2nd base at the bottom of the first, he continues to hold the position of stolen base leader. Others didn’t have as much luck, Randy Arozarena also tried to steal 2nd base at the top of the sixth, and it didn’t work out quite the same for him. George Kirby was able to spot his attempt and tossed it out to first base who then tossed it out to second base and after being stuck in a pickle, Arozarena was finally tagged out. That would not be the first time Arozarena was caught stealing. He attempted to once again at the top of the ninth but was caught by our catcher with a quick ball out to short stop and was tagged out before he could make it to 2nd base.
Mariners young centerfielder, Julio Rodriguez (Photo by Mat Bermudez)
Mariner Moose gets loose
Perhaps one the most exciting portions of the game, before the scoring, was Mariner Moose on top of the dugout holding a sign that read “Shake what your momma gave you” as he certainly shook his. It didn’t take long for Mother Moose to come grab him by the ear for his inappropriate behavior, a perfect celebration to Mother’s Day.
The Mariner Moose (Photo by Mat Bermudez)
Mariners with the walk-off win
The Mariners were hitting the ball, but almost everything was leaving them popped out, flied out, or lined out through most of the game. The Tampa Bay Rays didn’t have much going on for offense either, until the top of the 8th when Manuel Margot was able to hit a 396-feet homer on a 1-1 pitch to finally put points on the board for either team. Margot had three straight games with a home run in the eighth inning or later this series. Abraham Toro was able to end the dry spell for the Mariners at the bottom of the ninth and tie the game with a 350-feet homer of his own. Paul Sewald was on the mound and held TB off in the tenth inning. In the bottom of the 10th, Ty France brought Jarred Kelenic home for the walk-off win.
Ty France walks it off (Photo by Mat Bermudez)
The Mariners will start their series against the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow, May 9th to wrap up the homestand. Seattle takes on the Phillies for a three game set, as JP Crawford’s former team comes to town.
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