Game 115: Mariners Come Back Against Fernando Rodney

Two problems from the beginning of the year, the bullpen and their defense, came back to haunt the Rays as they lost to the Seattle Mariners, 3-2.

Tampa jumped out to a quick lead, as Desmond Jennings singled to lead off the game. B.J. Upton tripled, driving in Jennings, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Evan Longoria. The Mariners got a run back in the bottom of the second, as Justin Smoak and Miguel Olivo had back to back two out doubles, cutting the Rays lead to 2-1.

From that point, both Matt Moore and Kevin Millwood settled in, as the game turned into a classic pitching duel. Neither team got a runner past second base after the second inning against either starter. Moore lasted seven innings, giving up one run on six hits and a walk, striking out nine batters. Millwood, meanwhile, also lasted seven innings, and gave up two runs on eight hits and a walk, collecting eight strikeouts of his own.

With the score remaining 2-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Fernando Rodney came on for the save. Kyle Seager led off the inning with a single, bringing up pinch hitter Chone Figgins. Figgins bunted down the first base line, where Carlos Pena‘s throwing error put Figgins and Seager on second and third respectively. Smoak hit a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 2-2. After a strikeout, Eric Thames hit a 1-2 pitch to right for a single, scoring Figgins and giving the Mariners a walkoff 3-2 victory.