Mariners bash the Bronx Bombers

The Mariners came into tonight's game looking to improve on their hitting with runners in scoring position from last night when they went 2-11. Well, I think they got the message from last night. After Michael Saunders began the game by flying out Dustin Ackley drew the first walk of the game and Kyle Seager singled which brought up Kendrys Morales. Morales drove in the first run of the game by singling in Ackley, following that Mike Morse continued his hot streak hitting by lining a ball to right field and Seager was able to score from second and the Mariners took a 2-0 lead. Phil Hughes for some reason couldn't locate any of his pitches as he walked Justin Smoak on four pitches. Raul Ibanez then came up with the bases loaded and unloaded on a curveball and gave the Mariners the 6-0 lead with his 11th career grand slam. 

The Mariners weren't finish as Jesus Montero singled on the next pitch Hughes threw but was erased on a fielder's choice. Michael Saunders who popped out in his first at bat drove one into right center field to drive in Brendan Ryan and the Mariners were not only able to take a 7-0 lead but after that Phil Hughes night was done. During this pitching change Yankee fans made their way from their seats to their cars, Preston Claibourne was able to end the nightmare inning facing his first batter in Dustin Ackley by getting him to pop out.

Hisashi Iwakuma had only a bump in his first inning of work as he gave up a one out homerun to Vernon Wells but he was able to get out of the first inning without giving up another run. In the top half of the fifth the Mariners decided to give the Yankee fans more reasons to leave, as Raul hit his second homerun of the game and giving the Mariners the 9-1 lead. The Yankees added their second run of the game as Chris Stewart lead off the bottom of the fifth with a homerun. The top of the sixth saw the Mariners offense humiliate the Yankees one more time. 

Saunders lead off by walking, Ackley was able to line one to center and the Mariners had another shot with runners in scoring position. Kyle Seager did just that as he hit one into the Yankees bullpen for his fifth homerun of the season and the Mariners put their lead to 12-2. Hisashi was able to finish his night off after seven strong innings. Oliver Perez came into the game and struck out two batters in his one inning of work. Tom Wilhelmsen came into the game to get some work in and was able to go 1-2-3 and finish the game.

As a result of tonight's win the Mariners moved into a tie for second place with the Oakland Athletics. Funny thing by the end of the first inning at least 1,000 fans were out of the stadium and then by the seventh inning at least 30,000 fans were gone. That shows you that the Yankees really should stop paying so much money for players and start buying fans. Brendan Ryan finally was able to get a hit in his last at bat and finished the game 1-5 and putting his average to .124.

NOTES: Mike Morse has now had 2 or more hits in 3 consecutive games and has raised his batting average up to .252. Ibanez has now hit 3 homeruns in the last 2 games and has raised his batting average to .224.