The Seattle Mariners were probably feeling good about their series opener against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night. They were hosting one of the worst teams in baseball and had their ace Felix Hernandez on the mound once again. Things didn't go quite according to plan, as the Mariners had a late comeback, but dropped the opener by a final score of 5-4.
Chase Headley hit an RBI single in the top of the third inning to get the Padres on the board. Kyle Seager hit an RBI groundout to score Ichiro Suzuki in the bottom of the fourth to tie things up at 1-1.
The big damage came in the top of the sixth inning. The Padres scored four runs on RBI singles by Cameron Maybin and Nick Hundley, a wild pitch by Hernandez and a triple by Everth Cabrera.
The Mariners mounted a huge comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. Michael Saunders got things started as he hit his seventh home run of the season (and third hit of the game) with one out to make it 5-2. Chone Figgins then reached second base on fan interference with the M's 10th hit of the game and came home on an RBI single by Munenori Kawasaki.
Suzuki got a single to put runners on the corners with one out and brought Dustin Ackley, the potential winning run, up to the plate. After getting ahead in the count 3-1, Ackley swung at two pitches well out of the zone and struck out. The final pitch in the at-bat was a wild pitch, however, allowing Kawasaki to score. The tying run was now in scoring position with one out for Jesus Montero, but Montero grounded out to second base to end the threat and the game.
Hernandez ended up charged with five earned runs on nine hits and three walks in six innings of work.
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