Mariners Open Season With Win

The game began with Marco Gonzales struggling early than he settled down from the fourth through the six-inning throwing 68 pitches in total. He gave up a solo home run to Stephen Piscotty right fielder and number three in Oakland's lineup. In the second inning, he gave up another run on an error by Ryon Healy. who was playing on the other side of the diamond from third base.   

The Mariners who went scoreless the first two innings scored five runs including a grand slam home run by left fielder Domingo Santana. The ball was hit to right field. It seems the ball carries well to that side in the Tokyo Dome. A great way for Santana to make his Mariner debut though only hit of the game he had though spectacular. So the Mariners were leading 5-3.

Oakland responded in the bottom of the third when Khris Davis hit a two-run homer making the score 5-4 Seattle. He seems to always have a home run against the Mariners. The Mariners picked up another run in the 4th inning. Ichiro who started in right field had two plate appearances popping up in the 2nd and walking in the 4th. He was removed from the game in the bottom of the 4th. He went out to right field then walked to the dugout with an ovation from the crowd well as hugs by the Mariner players. Also, the Oakland A players applauded as well. He will play Thursday against the A's as well but no one knows if he will start or not.

Tim Beckham had a great debut with the Mariners. He had a two-run homer in the 5th inning which was one of his three hits in the game. He scored three times as well. The Mariners scored another run to make it 9-4.

In the seventh inning after Gonzales left the game Nick Rumbelow came in however he had a hard time. He went one-third of an inning giving up a three-run home to third baseman Matt Chapman making the score 9-7. Cory Gearrin and Zac Rosscup had a hold. Neither gave up a hit though Rosscup did walk a batter. Hunter Strickland came in the bottom of the 9th to record the save.

Thursday Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi makes his major league debut in his home country against the A's. I am sure he will be nervous however the main thing for him is to stay away from giving up the long ball to the A hitters. It will be nice if the Mariners can come back to Seattle with a 2-0 record.