Seven-run sixth inning leads Mariners to 11-1 win over Blue Jays

SEATTLE— The narrative could change in a hurry, of course. But if the Seattle Mariners muster up something special over the season’s closing weeks, remember Monday’s 11-1 bludgeoning of the Toronto Blue Jays.

A crowd of 41,168 at Safeco Field, swelled by a substantial influx of Canadians, saw the Mariners blow open a tight game between two postseason contenders with a seven-run sixth inning.

“It’s a fun atmosphere,” said catcher Mike Zunino, who contributed two hits and two RBI to a 10-hit attack. “Obviously, you feed off that energy. It just gives you a little bit more. It was a good time tonight.”

The Mariners came up big in a big-time atmosphere and in support of Felix Hernandez, who held the Blue Jays to one run and three hits in seven innings while striking out eight and walking none.

That makes 16 straight starts of at least seven innings while permitting two or fewer runs— which extends his own major-league record. No other pitcher has ever run off more than 13 such starts in succession.

“The crowd was unbelievable,” said Hernandez, who improved to 13-3 and lowered his ERA to 1.95. “They’re part of the game this year. And not only for me but for the whole team.”

This was a game when everything came together for the Mariners, who improved to 63-55 while climbing to within one game of fast-fading Detroit in the race for the American League’s final wild-card spot.

Robinson Cano started the decisive sixth inning with a leadoff homer down the left-field line. And then … well, it was all Mariners. Cano capped that inning with an RBI double.

“We’re playing really good baseball,” he said. “And I’ll say this: When you do the little things, and not try to do too much, that’s when you start playing really well.”

Two no-so-little things: Cano contributed a pair of defensive gems before the game turned into a rout.

He threw to third for an out when Colby Rasmus tried to advance on a grounder to second in the second inning. Cano then made an over-the-shoulder catch in short right of Danny Valencia’s looping pop in the fifth.

Who does that?

“Cano,” Hernandez said. “He’s a great player. He’s fun to watch.”

This was a tight pitchers’ duel with a postseason-chase feel between Hernandez and Toronto starter Drew Hutchison (8-10) until Cano unloaded his homer.

The Blue Jays actually scored first — on Jose Bautista’s two-out homer in the fourth — but the ,Mariners answered immediately.

Cano started the bottom of the inning with a walk and went to third when Kendrys Morales drove a double into the right-center gap. Kyle Seager followed by hammering a 3-0 pitch to deep center for a sacrifice fly.

Morales moved to third on the play before scoring when Zunino sent a blooper that fell just fair in right field for an RBI single and a 2-1 lead.

“That’s what I’ve been working on,” Zunino deadpanned. “No, obviously, in that situation, I’m trying to sell out in looking to go to right. … I was able to keep it fair. I’ll take the payoff for that one.”

The Mariners unloaded on Hutchison and reliever Brad Mills in the sixth.

Cano led off with a line-drive homer to left that hugged the line before landing several rows deep — an area not often reached by left-handed hitters.

“That’s how quickly things can change,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “I thought (Hutchison) was good early on.”

After Hutchison issued a one-out walk to Seager, Zunino sent a drive to deep right that caromed off the wall and away from Bautista for an RBI triple.

Hutchison struck out Logan Morrison, but Endy Chavez squirted an RBI double past third for a 5-1 lead.

That finished Hutchison, but Mills immediately served up an RBI triple to Brad Miller. That run was charged to Hutchison, whose final line showed six runs and seven hits in 52⁄3 innings.

Still, the Mariners weren’t done.

Austin Jackson walked and stole second without a throw before Dustin Ackley drove a two-run single into center. It was 8-1.

That got it back to Cano, who drove an RBI double off the right-center wall before Mills finally ended the inning. The only question then, after a long delay, would Hernandez get the chance to extend his streak.

“The key factor is it was warm and kind of humid out,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “It’s kind of hard to get tight and stiff in those kinds of conditions. We thought he would be OK to go back out there.”

The Mariners scored two more runs in the seventh against Mills before going to their bullpen. Joe Beimel and Danny Farquhar closed out the rout.

“That was a key game right there,” Hernandez said, “and that was pretty good.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

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.

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.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

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

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.