Seattle Mariners Notch Second Straight Late Inning Comback, Nip Orioles 5-4
Seattle’s superstar center fielder Ichiro drove in the winning run for the second consecutive night Tuesday (6-5-07) as the Mariners once again staged a late-inning rally to nip Baltimore 5-4.
The Orioles sailed into the 7th inning with a 4-1 lead as reliever Danny Baez took over for starter Brian Burres.
Baez, who is welcome back to Seattle anytime this season, promptly gave up a leadoff single to right fielder Jose Guillen and walked both left fielder Raul Ibanez and catcher Kenji Johjima to load the bases. Then Baez was sent to the shower stall to think things over.
In came Baltimore reliever Jamie Walker who got designated hitter Jose Vidro to fly out, but Guillen scored and Ibanez moved to third base. Ibanez was not on third long as Walker uncorked a wild pitch to send him home with the Mariners second run of the inning.
First baseman Ben Broussard legged out an infield single to put Johjima on third, allowing shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to single home Johjima and send Walker to the shower stall with Baez.
The Orioles’ next reliever Chad Bradford got third baseman Willie Bloomquist to hit into a fielder’s choice, but the table was set for Ichiro who lined a soft double to left field bringing home the winning run.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but we definitely have something going on,” said Ichiro. “I’m not sure what that is, but I definitely feel something.”
Once they got the lead the Mariners showed the Orioles how to win late.
Rookie Brandon Morrow struck out two in a 1-2-3 eighth inning to set up J. J. “Lights Out” Putz who picked up his 15th save in 15 attempts.
It is easy to forget just how good Ichiro is when fans expect him to hang the moon at night games and go 5-for-5 every night. In the past, some impatient fans have groused about Ichiro not coming through went it counted. Apparently they have been eating too many dogs and drinking too many beers.
Ichiro is hitting .423 with runners in scoring position (RISP) this season.
Ichiro has played in just over 1,000 games as the leadoff hitter for 6 years with the Seattle Mariners and has logged in 1,432 hits with a career .331 average, hit 164 doubles, 52 triples, 66 homers, knocked in 388 ribbies, stolen 250 bases and boasts a .438 slugging percentage.
Did I mention he has 6 Golden Gloves and is a six-time All Star?
How about being the 2001 American League Rookie of the Year and 2001 American League Most Valuable Player?
There was talk earlier this season of trading Ichiro when the Mariners were stuck in first gear. It just goes to show you that most fans are as stupid as they are admiring when things are going well.
Trade Ichiro and you would be replacing him with the grounds crew. Nobody is going to do what he has already done and will continue to do this year.
Look out, American League West, the Mariners are on the move.
Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley
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Tags: Brandon Morrow, Ichiro, J. J. Putz, Jose Guillne, Kenji Johjima, Raul Ibanez, RISP, Seattle Mariners