Bullpen bounces back, Mariners beat White Sox 8-6

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners relied upon their bullpen to record 10 outs on Sunday.

And they won anyway.

One day after a ninth-inning collapse cost them a victory against the Chicago White Sox, the back end of the Mariners’ bullpen performed adequately for once in an 8-6 Seattle victory before a crowd of 30,537 at Safeco Field.

Never mind that the Mariners led 7-1 before the White Sox assembled a five-run sixth-inning against Seattle starter Taijuan Walker (who surrendered a massive home run to Jose Abreu) and reliever Logan Kensing (who gave up a two-run homer to Adam LaRoche with an inherited runner on base).

At least this time, when Seattle called upon Carson Smith, he took care of business. Smith faced four batters — the final out of the seventh, then three in the eighth — and retired each via ground ball, and he needed just 10 pitches to do it.

Tom Wilhelmsen, once a closer himself, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn his third save of the season.

Lately, that’s been Smith’s job, though he has obviously struggled. So Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon put him into the game in a lower-pressure situation this time, and Smith responded with aplomb.

“It was a good day for him,” McClendon said.

Better than Saturday, certainly.

“It’s always good to bounce back,” Smith said. “I think any pitcher, after they struggle, they want to get back out there as soon as they can to erase what happened the night before, (or) the days before.

“I wasn’t too surprised. I had been told I may be getting in sooner today, and that’s what happened.”

Before that sixth inning, it didn’t seem the bullpen would be tested. The Mariners (57-67) plated four runs in the third inning against White Sox starter John Danks — Jesus Sucre and Franklin Gutierrez each drove in runs with singles, and Nelson Cruz drove in two runs with a two-out double — and tacked on another three in the fifth thanks to Austin Jackson’s RBI single and Robinson Cano’s two-run homer to right field.

So it was 7-1 going into the sixth, and at that point, Walker was cruising: he’d allowed a run in the second when Alexei Ramirez drove in LaRoche from second base with a one-out single, but retired the next 10 batters consecutively.

He got the first batter out in the sixth, too. Then things went sideways. Adam Eaton singled, then Tyler Saladino drove him in with a double before Abreu crushed Walker’s 1-0 pitch over the center-field fence.

After Melky Cabrera grounded out to shortstop and Avisail Garcia singled, McClendon removed Walker for reliever Logan Kensing despite a relatively modest pitch-count of 87.

“Got away from him a little bit there in the sixth,” McClendon said. “(He) elevated some balls, left some breaking balls up.”

Walker, who still earned the victory (9-7), explained it like this: “I felt like they were being real aggressive and swinging first-pitch early, so we wanted to mix the curveball in there just to get them off the fastball on the first pitch, and it was working. I just went to too much soft stuff in that sixth inning and just got away from the game plan.”

After LaRoche’s homer, the White Sox managed just one baserunner — a two-out walk to Eaton by Kensing in the seventh. Smith and Wilhelmsen retired the next seven batters without incident.

“Like I told the guys in the dugout,” Cano said, “it’s good to end it with a happy Sunday.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

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

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck 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)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (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.