The bullpen wins it for the Mariners

The Mariners tonight were going for their first series win in New York since 2004. Aaron Harang was scheduled to start the game but due to stiffness in his lower back, so Eric Wedge gave Hector Noesi the start. Now as all Mariners fans remember Noesi from last year you understand the reason why I was nervous. Last year Noesi went 2-12 with a 5.82 ERA. Along with starting Noesi the Mariners had another test, that would be the pitcher on the mound for the Yankees, 16 year veteran Andy Pettitte who in the past hasn't all that much succes against the Mariners. Pettitte has gone 11-12 in 24 starts entering tonight's game against the Mariners with a 4.39 ERA. Well, getting off stats how bout I give you the recap already?

Pettitte began his night by going 1-2-3 and the following half inning Noesi was able to go 1-2-3 as well. The second inning started off very well for the Mariners as the first two hitters were able to reach base. Kendrys Morales drew the lead off walk and then Mike Morse continued his hot streak by singling and extending his hitting streak to four games. Raul Ibanez struck out on a very questionable call; on the replay Ibanez clearly held up on the swing and didn't get help by the home plate umpire to check with the third base umpire. After Jesus Montero flew out, Dustin Ackley managed to line one to right field to drive in Morales and the Mariners took the 1-0 lead. After the inning manager Eric Wedge was ejected by first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after protesting that Brendan Ryan's line drive to Ichiro hit the ground. After Noesi got the first two batters to strikeout, Curtis Granderson was able to get an infield hit and move up on the throwing error by Noesi. David Adams got his first career RBI by driving one over Mike Morse's head scoring Granderson.

The Mariners pushed in another run in the fourth inning thanks to Brendan Ryan. Yes, that's correct I said Ryan drove in a run, but he had help from Dustin Ackley as Ackley beat another throw to second. In the top of the fifth saw Andy Pettitte exiting the game with what I found out later to be a tight left trapezius muscle in his throwing arm and former Mariner Shawn Kelley was brought into replace him. Noesi also exited early after he reached his pitch limit for the night in the fifth and Oliver Perez was brought into to get out of a jam. Perez did the job, getting Brett Gardner to strikeout and getting Jason Nix to pop out. Mike Morse lead off the sixth inning by hitting his 10th homerun of the year and giving the Mariners the 3-1 lead. In the bottom of the seventh inning the Yankees came back and scored a run to cut the lead to one run, Carter Capps was brought in to get out of the jam and succeeded by getting Vernon Wells to pop out on the first pitch. 

Tom Wilhelmsen was brought in the ninth to go for his 11th save of the year. After getting Austin Romnie to ground out Brett Gardner was able to get on base with a single. Gardner then proceeded to steal second and third base and the Yankees had the tying run on with only one out; Whilhelmsen struck out Nix and then got Robinson Cano to ground out to end the ball game.

The Mariners have now won their last 5 series out of 6 and have won 12 of their last 18 games. Thanks to the win tonight the Mariners are in full control of second place in the American League West standings by a half game.

NOTES: Mike Morse extended his multi-hit game streak to 4 games and has raised his batting average to .261! Brendan Ryan also had a great day as he went 2-4. Wilhelmsen lowered his ERA to an incredible 0.50!