The Mariners squeak by the Cubs

The last couple of months have seen just about everything go wrong that can go wrong, for the Seattle Mariners. There have been injury’s to key players, bad calls, bad fielding, players being sent down or released, new players being called up and even bad pitching from the normally stellar King Felix. Many of us were starting to think that our team was destined to never win another game. Tonight was a game to make us think that their fortune might finally be changing for the better.

The game started shortly after 7:00 p.m. PT as Hasashi Iwakuma took to the mound to face the Chicago Cubs. The 1^st inning went just as we have come to expect from Iwakuma as he gets the first player to ground out to short. The next player flies out to right field. The third player up in the inning strikes out to end the top of the 1^st. The Mariners half of the inning starts with Endy Chavez stepping up and flies out. Nick Franklin is next up and he strikes out. Kyle Seager steps up next and he strikes out to end the The 2^nd inning sees Iwakuma running into some trouble as Sariano starts the inning off with a single. The next batter lines out. Then Sweeney steps up to the plate where he hits a ball into the right field corner for an RBI triple. Then an errant throw from Endy Chavez coupled with a fluke bounce allows Sweeney to score. The game gets back on track as the next two batters ground out and strike out to end the top of the 2^nd. In the Mariners half of the inning Kendrys Morales starts out by striking out. Raul Ibanez is next up and he grounds out. Jason Bay walks to give the Mariners a man on base. Dustin Ackley steps up to the plate and fouls out to end the 2^nd.

The 3^rd inning goes much better for Iwakuma as the first batter grounds out. The next batter flies out. The third batter pops up to end the top of the inning. The Mariners half of the 3^rd sees Mike Zunino step up and fly out. The newest Mariner Brad Miller steps up for his first at bat and lines out to end the 3^rd.

The 4^th starts off good for the Mariners as the first batter grounds out. The next batter strikes out for out number two. Rizzo is the next batter and he doubles making some trouble for Iwakuma. The next batter strikes out to end the top of the inning. The bottom of the inning starts out good for the Mariners as Nick Franklin steps in and hits a double. Kyle Seager strikes out for the first out. Next it is Kendrys Morales and he strikes out. Raul Ibanez is up next and flies out to end the 4^th.

The 5^th inning goes smooth for Iwakuma as he gets the Cubs out in order again. In the bottom of the inning Jason Bay starts it off with a home run to cut the Cubs lead in half. Dustin Ackley is up next and he flies out. Mike Zunino steps up next and grounds out. Brad miller steps in for his second at bat and walks. Back to the top of the order for Endy Chavez and he pops out to end the 5^th.

The 6^th sees Iwakuma once again get the Cubs in order. Nick Franklin starts off for the Mariners and pops out. Kyle Seager is next where he flies out. Kendrys Morales steps in and hits a single to give the Mariners some hope in the inning. Raul Ibanez steps in next and lines out to end the 6^th.

The 7^th proves trouble once again for Iwakuma as the first batter hits a home run. The next two batters go out with a strike out and a fly out. Then the next batter hits another home run to make it 4-1 Cubs. The next batter hits a single making it look like more trouble for the Mariners. The next batter hits into a fielder's choice and then gets thrown out trying to steal second. It is the Mariners turn and Jason Bay starts off with a walk. Dustin Ackley is up next and he strikes out. Mike Zunino is the next batter and he hits a single. Brad Miller steps in the batter's box and hits into a fielder's choice for an RBI. With two outs Endy Chavez flies out to end the inning.

The 8^th inning sees Iwakuma get the Cubs in order again. In the Mariners half of the inning it starts off with Nick Franklin hitting a double. Kyle Seager is up next and grounds out. Kendrys Morales is next and he hits an RBI double. Raul Ibanez is up next and he hits an RBI triple to tie the game. Jason Bay keeps the inning going with a walk. Dustin Ackley is up next and hits into a fielder's choice move Bay to second. Mike Zunino is next and strikes out to end the 8^th.

Oliver Perez takes over the pitching duties and strikes out the side. In their half of the inning the Mariners only need one run to win. Brad Miller steps in first and strikes out. Back to the top of the order for Endy Chavez who flies out. Nick Franklin is next and hits a single making it look promising for a win. Kyle Seager is up next and flies out to end the 9^th.

Medina takes over the pitching duties for the Mariners. Extra innings begin with the Cubs getting a single. The next batter hits into a double play. The next batter steps up to the plate and lines out to end the top of the 10^th. Once again the Mariners only need one run. Micheal Saunders steps up first for the Mariners and he walks. Raul Ibanez is next and he walks to give the Mariners two on base. Jason Bay then hits a sacrifice ground ball to third. Justin Smoak is up next and he is intentionally walked to load the bases. Mike Zunino is up next and hits a game winning single.

The excitement isn't over though since the Mariners are having their first ever fireworks show at Safeco Field. The show is a spectacular 12 minute display showing some of the highlights from the 1995 season. At one point the fireworks erupt into a golden waterfall cascading over the edge of Safeco. The show came to a crescendo as the 1812 overture played and came to a great end as it looked like the stadium was exploding in one final display.