The Mariners have had some fun teams and some big wins over the past few years. Indeed, Mitch Haniger’s game with the Angels last year felt like the start of something. But it came for a team that had no control over their destiny and was desperately trying to hold on.
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Looking back, that win felt like a borderline. That was the moment the Mariners announced that their rebuild was complete and they were ready to compete. Unfortunately, 2021 came a little too late to get over the hump, but Mitch has given fans and management the confidence to write his now-famous open letter letting them know that the time is now.
It’s too early to know for sure the significance of Sunday’s 8-7 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves, but if Mitch’s hit declared the end of the rebuild, this would tie the game in the ninth inning and win the game. I saw a home run. by Julio Rodriguez and Eugenio Suarez respectively – which may have marked the beginning of the controversy.
It was special.
The park is special because over 45,000 people attended. This is a number that would not have been possible without their efforts so far this year.
It’s special because we played against the defending champions. Atlanta won last year and added presumed NL Rookie of the Year Michael Harris II (who went yards twice on Sunday).
The Mariners are special because they tagged three-time All-Star closer Kenley Jansen, who has pitched in 20 postseason series and is doing phenomenally.
It’s special because it came after Mariners’ usual formula failed. This bullpen carried them for nearly two years, but manager Scott Servé burned out Andrés Muñoz in the eighth inning after an early hook by Eric Swanson. In his ninth Matt he could (and probably should) have gone to Festa, but instead Diego he set his sights on Castillo. And he probably should have pulled Castillo on two consecutive walks to start the inning with a four-run lead. But by the time Paul Sewald surrendered two home runs in the inning, this dominant “pen” had turned a four-run lead into a one-run deficit.
But they didn’t give up. They weren’t shocked. They didn’t panic.
Special because after every game, this pitching staff won despite a lackluster offensive output. This allowed Bat to pick up his arm for change.
There’s a reason Servé spoke at length about the importance of the ‘team’ after this win. As former Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockett once explained, teams play for each other, not for each other. And if you’ve seen images of Sevart celebrating with Suarez after the win, you know how much it meant for someone to let him off the hook.
Special because Julio hit that ball at 117.2 mph. This is the strongest batted ball by Mariner in the Statcast era. Ninth. down run. Julio is different.
.@JRODshow44 clutch. #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/LAAm64L9Zm
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 11, 2022
He is the reason this team has real hope. He is different from most baseball players. He’s playing at the level of a 21-year-old who’s just been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
This is the same player Marco Gonzalez called the best player he has ever played with. He’s just three months into his big league career. And he does it all with the charisma of a Hollywood star and the joy of a kindergartener at recess.
With the Mariners claiming the top wildcard spot in the American League, with a 5 1/2 game cushion to make the playoffs with 22 games left, and scheduled to face off in the AL East in September, Special. at once.
And it’s special because it’s an emotional roller coaster for everyone who plays or watches this game. rice field. It’s a taste of drama and anxiety that only postseason baseball can produce.
Only time will tell how important this victory was. But when the 45,000 went home happy, you know they felt different than any crowd that has left this ballpark in decades. They saw something special.
And they know it’s just the beginning.
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