Gutierrez’s 3-run HR in 8th lifts M’s
July 10, 2009
SEATTLE (AP)—While the rest of Franklin Gutierrez’s(notes) Seattle teammatescelebrated his three-run homer in the eighth inning against Texas on Thursdaynight, Mariners closer David Aardsma(notes) stayed focused and in the moment.
“It was awesome. It was amazing, but I was already kind of throwing, justin case,” said Aardsma, who worked the ninth inning of the 3-1 victory over theRangers for his 18th save. “I can’t enjoy it. I can’t go out and celebrate itbecause I have to get ready.
“It’s kind of that negative point. I wish I could cheer and give high-fiveslike everyone else was, all my teammates. But I have to do my job. I don’t getto enjoy it until after the game.”
Aardsma had something else on his mind.
Just 24 hours earlier he had his second blown save of the season, allowingfive runs without getting an out in a 5-3 loss to Baltimore.
“He’s a competitor. He wants the ball in his hand. You can’t take that awayfrom him,” Seattle’s Ken Griffey Jr.(notes) said. “Yesterday was yesterday. He’s likeanyone in the bullpen, half nuts, half crazy. He forgot about it. He had a jobto do and he got it done today.”
Series at a Glance Texas 1 Seattle 3 Thu, Jul 9 – Final Texas at Seattle Fri, Jul 10 – 10:10 pm ET Texas at Seattle Sat, Jul 11 – 10:10 pm ET
Ichiro(notes) Suzuki, who had three hits to raise his major league-leading averageto .361, opened the eighth with a single off C.J. Wilson(notes) (4-4). After two outs,Griffey walked and Gutierrez launched a 1-0 fastball into the bleachers incenter field.
“I wasn’t sure if it was out, but I felt like I hit it good,” saidGutierrez, who was given a curtain call. “You never know when you hit it tocenter field here. When I first hit it and saw it go out I was pretty excited.This was a great victory. We have had some tough losses the last two games.”
Felix Hernandez(notes) (9-3), heading to his first All-Star game, went eightinnings, allowing one run and three hits, striking out seven and walking two.
During the Mariners’ half of the eighth inning, Hernandez sat on the benchwith a towel over his head.
“I see it after the ball got out of the park,” Hernandez said. “It was agreat win.”
Wilson, who had not given up a home run since June 4, said the pitch toGutierrez “was supposed to be down and away and it cut back a little bit. Itdidn’t have the action I wanted it – not in the right spot.”
Seattle Mariners' Ichiro(n… AP – Jul 10, 1:44 am EDT
Rangers rookie Tommy Hunter(notes), making his seventh major league start, went sixinnings, allowing four hits, walking three and striking out four.
The Mariners got a runner to second base three times against Hunter, butcouldn’t advance any of them. Their biggest threat was in the second whenGriffey opened with a walk and Gutierrez singled, extending his hitting streakto a career-best 12 games. Ryan Langerhans(notes) lined out to right, Chris Woodward(notes)struck out and Rob Johnson(notes) bounced out.
Hernandez ran into his only trouble in the sixth. He retired the first twobatters on three pitches, then Ian Kinsler(notes) walked and Michael Young(notes) singled tocenter. On a 2-2 pitch to Josh Hamilton(notes), they pulled off a double steal. On thenext pitch, Hernandez’s fastball skipped into the dirt and off catcher RobJohnson’s glove for a wild pitch, allowing Kinsler to score.
“I thought we were set up perfectly with who we had in the game but wedidn’t get it done,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “They won the gametonight. We didn’t give it to them.”
Seattle Mariners' Ichiro(n… AP – Jul 10, 1:33 am EDT
Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said, given the chance, he wanted Aardsma inanother save situation as soon as possible.
“He gave up (five) runs last night, but we put him right back on the horseand he gave us a 1-2-3 inning,” he said. “It was great for him mentally andgreat for the team. This shows that he’s for real.”
The Rangers had been 39-1 when leading after seven innings. This was thesixth time the Mariners have come back to win when trailing after seven innings.
NOTES: The Mariners sent LHP Jason Vargas(notes) to Triple-A Tacoma to control hisinnings and refine his delivery. He was 3-3 with a 3.82 ERA in 11 starts. Theclub does not need a fifth starter until July 25. … INF Chris Shelton(notes) wascalled up to replace Vargas on the roster. He played third in Tacoma out ofnecessity. Wakamatsu will use him the DH against left-handers and occasionallyat first base. … SS Yuniesky Betancourt(notes), on a rehab assignment in Tacoma(hamstring), is expected to play one more game Friday and could be activated bythe weekend. … Texas 3B Hank Blalock(notes) had his third consecutive multihit game.… Young is hitting .464 (13 of 28) against Seattle.
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