October 8 is the Greatest Date in Seattle Mariners History
Improbable – yes, Impossible – no
Suarez led off the top of the eighth inning by hitting it where they weren’t and ended up with a double. Raleigh followed that up with a single to score Eugenio. Haniger followed with a single to center, leading Schneider to call on his bullpen again.
In came Canadian native Jordan Romano. Adam Frazier, who had a tremendous game, drilled a high fastball the opposite way into left field, loading the bases.
Romano quickly collected himself. Toronto’s closer proved to be too much for both Santana (who appeared to suffer a hamstring injury or cramp) and then Dylan Moore.
From there, J.P. Crawford climbed into the batter’s box. The Seattle Mariners shortstop hit a weak pop-up into shallow centerfield.
There was a chance that it might drop. It did drop. Jays’ centerfielder George Springer and second baseman Bo Bichette collided, clearing the bases on what turned out to be a bloop double.
Incredibly, the Seattle Mariners had come back to tie the game at 9. The Rogers Center crowd, which was crazy all afternoon, fell silent. Romano got Ty France on a slider to end the inning, but the damage was done.
Mariners tie the game on this play where Springer & Bichette collide pic.twitter.com/diQE6xA2sO
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 8, 2022
After Andres Munoz pitched Friday in Game 1, it seemed unlikely that he’d come back to pitch again. But the situation presented itself, and Servais gambled.
Munoz wasn’t as sharp as he usually is, but he made it work by striking out Jackie Bradley Jr. before walking Bichette. The fireballer got Vlad Guerrero to ground out, and Kirk followed with another ground out.