The star of the game was Michael Morse, who hit two home runs including a bomb to center field in ninth inning and finished with 4 RBI. Kyle Seager, Kendrys Morales and Justin Smoak also knocked in runs for Seattle. The most promising sign was that the Mariners worked on manufacturing runs instead of waiting for that mythical big hit (which I mean they got too, but in this game they slowly added to their lead by various means and pulled away instead of keeping it close with the A's) against the second-best pitching staff in the American League last season.
They scored in five different innings, and left 10 guys on base meaning that the score could have been a lot worse.
On the mound Hisashi Iwakuma struck out seven and allowed just two hits in his first action out on the mound this season. If this is Seattle's No. 2 starter's normal foray, fans are going to be absolutely thrilled. Last season he struck out over 100 batters and posted a 3.16 ERA in 125 innings, so that's definitely possible. His only blemish was a solo home run by Yoenis Cespedes in the second inning.
It's a feel good win after a feel good season-opener that saw Felix Hernandez already in mid-season form. While the Mariners offense didn't blow up the scoreboard last night, it looked very serviceable in this game with every batter really working the count.
Tomorrow on the mound for the Mariners will be starter Joe Saunders, who posted a 4.22 ERA for the Diamondbacks and Orioles last season.
(Here's a rather odd Hisashi Iwakuma toy you can buy.
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