The Gator wins it for the Mariners

Hisashi Iwakuma took to the mound looking for his first win in 2 starts, and he would face the 105 years ago World Champion Chicago Cubs. The Mariners were looking to not only provide fireworks on their first Fireworks Night at Safeco Field ever but looked to show some fireworks on the field as well and give 31,471 fans a good show. The fireworks started off before the game as Pearl Jam's Mike McCready preformed the National Anthem and threw out the ceremonial first pitch and Brad Miller was given the call up and start his first major league game. The game began in a very ironic fashion as former Tacoma Rainier/Seattle Mariners Luis Valbuena grounded out to Miller for the first out of the game and so Miller made is first play and out on the first play of the game......that's just awesome in my opinion.

Iwakuma had an easy 9 pitch 1-2-3 inning in the first but in the second that's when the trouble started. Alfonso Soriano lead off the inning by singling to center, with one out Ryan Sweeney lined one down the right field line that allowed Soriano to score and then on the throw from Nick Franklin trying to cut Sweeney down on third the ball skipped to the net on the Cubs dugout but then rolled into the Cubbies dugout which allowed Sweeney to come home, so the Cubbies took a 2-0 lead and drew first blood in the game. In the bottom of the fifth the Mariners finally drew their first run of the game, Jason Bay took the second pitch he saw from Travis Wood into the Mariners bullpen to put the deficit down to one run. In the top of the seventh inning Iwakuma got into some deep trouble, and by deep trouble I mean deep fly balls that left the yard. Soriano took Iwakuma deep to lead off the inning and the Cubbies now took a 3-1 lead over the M's, after Anthony Rizzo struck out and Sweeney popped out it was Dioner Navarro's turn to take Iwakuma deep. So with those two homers the Cubs took a 4-1 lead over Iwakuma and the Mariners.

The bottom of the seventh inning the Mariners started things off on the right pace, Bay lead things off by walking on four pitches. After Dustin Ackley struck out Mike Zunino was able to single into center field and on the play Bay was able to get into third and the Mariners had runners at the corners with only one out. Brad Miller was able to drive in Bay as he grounded into a fielder's choice. Miller not only drove in his first major league RBI but stole his first base in the majors as well. The Mariners still trailed the Cubs 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Nick Franklin lead off the inning by doubling down the right field line, Kendrys Morales was able to double home Franklin on his 20th double of the season and the Mariners now trailed by one run. 

Raul Ibanez then came up once again in the clutch by tripling home Morales and tying the game for the Mariners. The game went into extra innings and the Mariners bullpen kept the Cubs scoreless in the top of the ninth and tenth inning.

The Mariners went to work in the bottom of the tenth inning. Michael Saunders got the inning started off by walking, Ibanez then followed him by walking as well. Bay advanced the runners over by laying down a successful bunt and after the Cubs intentionally walked Justin Smoak, Mike Zunino came up looking to be the hero. Zunino worked the count to a classic 3-2 and on the sixth pitch of the at bat Zunino started off the fireworks show with a single that made 31,000+ erupted in cheers as the Mariner walked off in style. Zunino was treated to the hero's Gartorade dunk during his post game interview. With this win the Mariners improve to 34-45. Tomorrow the Mariners play their second national televised game of the year and will by turning back the clock to the days of the Seattle Turks.