Zunino gives Mariners 5-4 win with single in 10th

SEATTLE — Mike Zunino knew it the moment he made contact.

As soon as he could put down the bat and start running to first, he raised his right hand into the air in celebration as his hard-hit ground ball went up the middle and into the outfield.

Game over.

Zunino’s first walk-off hit in his month-long, big-league career gave the Mariners a 5-4, 10-inning win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night at Safeco Field.

“Yeah, yeah, with the infield playing in I knew I got enough of it to get it through,” an excited Zunino said.

Once Michael Saunders crossed home as the winning run, the Mariners turned their eyes on the prized rookie catcher. They didn’t treat him with kid gloves. He was pummeled in celebration.

“Oh man, there were a couple rib shots and few slaps on the back,” he said. “It was definitely worth it.”

For the Cubs, who just rid themselves of closer Carlos Marmol because of wildness and walks, the bottom of the 10th inning was reminder that their bullpen is a mess.

Reliever Blake Parker walked Michael Saunders and Raul Ibanez to start the inning.

Saunders fell behind a ball and two strikes in the count and had stayed away from Parker’s nasty split-finger fastball. Ibanez did much the same when he next came to bat.

“Those were big league pitches and tough to lay off,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.

Cubs manager Dale Sveum had seen enough and replaced Parker with Shawn Camp.

With runners on first and second, Jason Bay delivered a perfect sacrifice bunt down the third-base line to advance the runners into scoring position.

Camp then intentionally walked Justin Smoak to load the bases and bring up Zunino.

Camp got ahead of Zunino with a 1-2 count. But Zunino wouldn’t chase two pitches out of the zone, and with the count full, he wasn’t looking for a walk.

“With a 3-2 count, I knew I had to stay aggressive,” Zunino said. “You have to stay within your zone and be aggressive in a spot you are looking.”

Wedge couldn’t ask for more from his catcher.

“It was a good at-bat by Z,” Wedge said. “He did a good job not trying to do too much and staying up the middle.”

The Mariners seemed destined for another loss after Alfonso Soriano and Dioner Navarro both hit solo homers in the seventh inning off Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma. The homers put the Cubs up 4-1 and left Seattle fans wondering if the lead was insurmountable for a Mariners’ offense that’s been anemic and has sorely tested the patience of Wedge each game.

But Seattle slowly chipped away at the lead. Brad Miller, playing in his first game of his big-league career, drove in his first run, scoring Jason Bay from third with a fielder’s choice in the seventh inning.

An inning later, the Mariners tied the score 4-4. Franlkin led off with a double to right field and scored on Kendrys Morales’ double to right-center. Moments later, Raul Ibanez dumped a soft line drive into left field that got past Brian Bogusevic for an RBI triple.

Seattle got a decent outing from starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, who threw eight innings. But pitches over the middle of the plate — something that has plagued him in his past few starts — hurt him again.

“Overall, I thought pitched well,” Iwakuma said through translator Antony Suzuki. “I was able to get strike one on hitters. The home runs were on pitches to the fat part of the plate.”

The Mariners did little against Cubs starter Travis Wood, who pitched 6-1/3 innings, giving up two runs on three hits with three walks.

Down 2-0 early, Jason Bay cut the lead in half in the fifth inning with a solo homer to left field — his ninth of the season.

Miller had an eventful debut. Besides the RBI, he drew a walk and stole a base. He also handled every ball hit to him, including the first hitter of the game an easy ground ball which he fielded with ease. He also had a diving stop on a ground ball up the middle and made two tough catches on pop-ups.

“I thought he was outstanding,” Wedge said.

Miller got a postgame beer shower with Zunino to celebrate.

“I’m still on cloud nine,” Miller said. “Just getting out there was a big thing and getting some at-bats and getting to play. It was so much fun.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.