The Seattle Mariners extended their winning streak to four games in spectacular fashion on Friday night, battling back twice to force extra innings before Michael Saunders emerged as the hero in a 9-5 Seattle win.
The Blue Jays drew first blood, scoring on an Edwin Encarnacion solo home run in the bottom of the second inning. The Mariners evened things up in the top of the third when they scored on a fielding error.
Toronto went back ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run Colby Rasmus double, but the M's tied things up in the top of the seventh, with a leadoff home run from Jesus Montero and an RBI double from Casper Wells.
Eric Thames hit a solo shot to right-center field to put the Blue Jays back on top in the bottom of the eighth and J.P. Arencibia gave the home team a vital insurance run with a sacrifice fly.
Seattle wasn't quite dead yet, however and they came back in the top of the ninth. Michael Saunders hit a one-out solo homer. Kyle Seager reached on a two-out throwing error and pinch-runner Munenori Kawasaki went to third when Arencibia tried a pickoff throw that went down the right-field line. With two outs, Dustin Ackley was intentionally walked and John Jaso pinch-hit for Brendan Ryan. Jaso hit a sinking line drive to center field that Rasmus was unable to get to, bringing home Kawasaki to tie the game, 5-5.
In the top of the 10th inning, the Mariners loaded the bases with one out on three straight singles by Justin Smoak, Montero and Alex Liddi. Saunders then launched a grand slam over the right field wall to put the M's ahead for the first time in the game and for good. Saunders finished the game 2-for-4 with five RBI and a walk.
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