Seattle Mariners 3 — New York Yankees 4
Felix Hernandez exits and the comeback is in effect in tonight’s 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.
The matchup of aces lived up to the hype. Until the sixth inning, Felix Hernandez and CC Sabathia were in a battle in a one-run game. The lone run came off of Sabathia in the third inning shortly after an error by Lyle Overbay. A ground ball to the Yankees first baseman went off of his glove and would allow outfielder Michael Saunders to reach base. A double by third baseman Kyle Seager would allow the unearned run to score.
Former Yankee Raul Ibanez made his return to Yankee Stadium and put on a familiar show, just to disappoint Yankees fans instead. With one on, Ibanez would hit a two-run home run into the short porch in right field.
CC Sabathia would pitch into the seventh inning. Through 6.1 innings, CC Sabathia allowed three runs on 10 hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts. The sixth inning would also be the time the Yankees were able to mount a small burst of offense against the King.
Lyle Overbay would hit a double to the right field corner that bounced and barely stayed in play. With the returning Curtis Granderson on first base, had it bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double, the Yankees may not have scored on the double. The favorable bounce got the Yankees on the board as they trailed the Mariners by a score of 3-1.
Felix Hernandez would leave after six innings. He allowed one run on five hits while striking out eight. So what is the biggest reason Felix Hernandez is unable to get more wins, despite having a 1.53 ERA? The bullpen.
The first reliever, Yoervis Medina, gave up a leadoff single and got on out but a pair of left-handed batters would follow. Left-handed reliever Charlie Furbush would be called on for Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano. Brett Gardner would walk to put two on for Robinson Cano. The Yankees second baseman would hit a deep double to right center field that hit the wall, scoring two runs and tying the game.
Felix Hernandez, sorry about your bullpen.
Furbush would stay in the game to face Curtis Granderson after intentionally walking Vernon Wells. He would then go on to walk Curtis Granderson unintentionally and faced Lyle Overbay with the bases loaded. Overbay would hit a laser into center field for a sacrifice fly and the comeback was nearly complete. All that was needed was the seal.
David Robertson enters for the eighth inning. A walk of Dustin Ackley and a poor decision on a sacrifice bunt by Austin Romine would put two on with no outs to create a problem for Robertson. Then before you know it, a strikeout and a perfectly positioned Jayson Nix turned the unassisted double play and the Yankees finished the eighth inning, lead intact. With the lead, there’s only one man you know you can count on.
Mariano Rivera entered for the ninth inning and a save opportunity. Two fly outs, a few broken bats, and a called third strike wraps up the ninth inning up and Mariano Rivera’s 16th save of the season.
Curtis Granderson had an uneventful season debut. Batting in the four spot, Granderson went hitless in four plate appearances with a walk and a run scored. He reached base twice, hit into a double play, and struck out. He also played left field tonight, putting Vernon Wells in the designated hitter role.
Win – Shawn Kelley (2-0)
Loss – Charlie Furbush (0-2)
Save – Mariano Rivera (16)
Notables
Mariners
*Raul Ibanez – 2 for 4, R, 2-Run Home Run (4) in the 6th, 2 RBI (11)
*Kyle Seager – 1 for 5, 2B, RBI (18)
Yankees
*Robinson Cano – 2 for 3, R, BB, 2B, 2 RBI (25)
*Lyle Overbay – 1 for 2, 2B, 2 RBI (24)
Current Yankees Record: 25-14
Get your Yankees Tickets from our friends at TiqIQ.
