The Mariners’ Dae-Ho Lee (center) is congratulated by Leonys Martin (12) and Kyle Seager (right) after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give Seattle a 9-8 lead.

The Mariners’ Dae-Ho Lee (center) is congratulated by Leonys Martin (12) and Kyle Seager (right) after hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give Seattle a 9-8 lead.

Lee hits 2 home runs as Mariners rally to beat A’s 9-8

OAKLAND, Calif. — Say this for Dae-Ho Lee. The 33-year-old rookie from Korea has a sense for the dramatic.

Lee clubbed two homers Wednesday afternoon that rescued the Seattle Mariners from a disastrous outing — actually one disastrous inning — by Felix Hernandez in a 9-8 victory over Oakland.

“I’m just ready for whatever situation I get,” said Lee, who started for the first time since April 27. “I just want to be ready whenever they call on me.”

This was answering the call.

Both of Lee’s homers came after Hernandez gave up six runs in the fifth inning in part because he made two costly fielding mistakes.

“It wasn’t a normal Felix today,” manager Scott Servais said. “He wasn’t on top of his game like he can be. I thought when we put the four-spot up there (in the top of the fifth) it would kind of energize him.”

Lee’s first homer was a solo shot to right-center field in the sixth inning against Ryan Dull. His second was a two-run drive to left field with two outs in the seventh against John Axford.

Servais chose to stick with Lee — a hunch — instead of using Adam Lind, a left-handed hitter, against Axford, a right-hander who entered the day with a 0.73 ERA in 11 appearances.

This is how things are going right now for the Mariners. Lee launched the ball to left.

“I made good contact (against Axford),” he said. “I hit it in the middle. I knew it was gone.”

And the Mariners, who trailed by four runs entering the sixth, suddenly had a 9-8 lead, which the bullpen protected over the final three innings for a remarkable comeback victory that completed a three-game sweep.

While Lee fueled the comeback, the day’s most-impressive homer belonged to Nelson Cruz, who capped a four-run burst in the fifth inning with a 435-foot drive to center that reached the upper deck above the suite level.

“It’s just another homer,” Cruz initially deadpanned. “It was the highlight for the season, but what was nice is the victory. It was a great win.”

Hernandez carried a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the inning and appeared poised to become the franchise’s all-time leader in victories before he imploded in a self-made mess.

After singles by Yonder Alonso and Marcus Semien put runners on first and second, Hernandez fielded Billy Burns’ attempted sacrifice bunt, looked to third and waited too long to throw to first.

The result was a bunt single that loaded the bases.

“I should have thrown to third on that bunt,” Hernandez said. “Then, I threw to first. He’s fast. A fast runner. After that, I don’t know what happened…”

Nothing good.

Jed Lowrie’s single to left produced one run. Josh Reddick followed with a nubber that Hernandez fielded and fumbled for an error that permitted the tying run to score and kept the bases loaded with no outs.

“That ground ball,” Hernandez said, “I should have made that play. I don’t know. It was weird. I was (ticked) off. I should have made that play.”

It got worse.

Khris Davis’ potential double-play grounder to third skipped through Kyle Seager for an error. Two more runs scored. Oakland led 6-4 and still had nobody out.

That finished Hernandez. In came Vidal Nuno, who permitted two inherited runners to score before ending the inning. All six runs in the inning were charged to Hernandez.

While only two were earned, all were deserved.

The Mariners began clawing back with two runs in the sixth inning against Dull on Lee’s first homer and Ketel Marte’s RBI double. They closed to 8-7 on Seager’s RBI single in the seventh before Lee’s second homer.

“He hasn’t played a lot,” Servais said. “But when he has, he’s found a way to contribute.”

Lee had a walk-off homer on April 13 in a 4-2 victory over Texas, which ended a five-game skid. The Mariners are 14-5 since that point.

After Lee’s second homer, the only question was whether the Mariners’ bullpen could close it out. Mike Montgomery (1-0) pitched two scoreless innings before Joel Peralta worked a one-two-three eighth.

The Mariners squandered a chance to boost their lead in the ninth by failing to score after loading the bases with no outs, but it didn’t matter. Steve Cishek worked around a one-out walk for his eighth save.

“Those are the kind of wins that stick with you for a while,” Servais said. “The guys believed the whole time. When we got down, there was never any doubt that we were going to figure out a way to get back in it.”

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.