Timely hitting gives Seattle the edge over México
March 27, 2025
Three runs in the 8th make all the difference as Seattle start off their 2025 with their right foot. A JP Crawford single gave the Mariners the lead in a 6-3 Opening Day win!
After a great start from Logan Gilbert prevented México from getting a hit in the first 3 innings, Jarren Duran lead off the 4th with a single. A stolen base allowed Randy Arozarena to drive him in, with México taking the lead 1-0. A repeat of the at-bat gave México a 2-run lead, though this time it was Ramón Urías who brought Arozarena to the plate, after the left fielder stole second. Paredes made it a 3-run game with a deep double, though Gilbert managed to stifle the offense and get consecutive outs to end the inning.
Samy Nátera had a nice outing, until he allowed a leadoff double for Luke Raley in the 6th. Marcelo Mayer couldn't find the ball, allowing Julio Rodríguez to reach first base on an error. Another double, this time from Cal Raleigh, cut the Mariner deficit to just one run. Nátera got Dylan Moore to ground out before striking out Polanco, but lefty JP Crawford proved to be too much for him, earning a single after a 7-pitch battle. Anthony Banda replaced Nátera to face Ryan Bliss, but Bliss lined one out to right field for a game-tying double!
After hanging a 0 in the 7th, Manuel Rodríguez was replaced by JoJo Romero with the game still 3-3 in the 8th. Romero walked Raleigh, but struck out Moore for the first out. Polanco's infield hit allowed Raleigh to take second, and the 8th was already looking shaky for Romero. Andrés Muñoz was ordered to warmup in the Atléticos bullpen, but he couldn't get ready in time. Consecutive singles from Crawford, Bliss and Williamson ended up giving the Mariners a three-run lead. Gregory Santos looked as shaky as Romero, filling the bases with 2 outs in the 9th. However, Santos struck out Mayer on three pitches to seal an Opening Day win for the Seattle Mariners!
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The OOTP gods gave us another shot at an Opening Day win, but it clearly wasn't to be despite Nátera pitching wonderfully on his MLB debut. The top of our lineup is clearly nothing to scoff at. When Sandoval, Assad and Urquidy return from the IL, we'll be looking more like a .500 team. I've also increased the likelihood of Mexican players appearing in the draft, IAFA and international FA, just so we keep a steady flow of players (good or bad) coming through our ranks.