Mariners make magic in 8th to get Opening Day victory over Guardians
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – Your Seattle Mariners opened the 2023 campaign with one of their characteristic thrilling victories, edging a talented Cleveland Guardians roster by a score of 3-0 thanks to an eighth inning Ty France three-run homer. Seattle starter Luis Castillo and Cleveland starter Shane Bieber dueled throughout this game, putting on a show for six innings between the two. The Mariners offense finally broke through, after 30 scoreless innings dating back to 2022, with a clutch Ty France homer in the bottom of the eighth. The win starts Seattle’s season off the right way, as they are aiming higher than just a playoff berth this season.
“Yes, it does feel different, in a good way. So, I think the experiences we gained last year and the fact that we’re bringing back pretty much the same team, certainly we’ve got a couple of key additions, but it’s nice to have the continuity of the guys back, understanding what we need to do to improve upon last year and get him started tonight.”
Julio receives his awards, Shaina Shepherd sings the anthem, and some Seattle sports legends throw out the ceremonial first pitch(es) (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Welcome back
The pregame festivities for Opening Day are always a spectacle to behold, but this year's events felt extra special. The Mariners held an extra-start studded ceremonial first pitch, as Jewell Loyd, Kasey Keller, Gary Payton, Marshawn Lynch, and Ken Griffey Jr all threw out a pitch to one of the Mariners star players prior to the game taking place. It would have been nice to see some OL Reign and Seawolves representation, but I digress. Local artist Shaina Shepherd, who has rocked the national anthem all over this city and at numerous sporting events, began our season with a beautiful rendition of the star-spangled banner. After the first pitches, anthem, and player introductions, the team was presented with its award for “best organization of 2022” and superstar outfielder Julio Rodriguez was given his silver slugger and AL Rookie of the year awards.
France finds his pitch for clutch homer
Like last years offense, Seattle was able to get on base in a myriad of ways but stranded a runner on third base four different times through the course of this game. A notable bright spot was first baseman Ty France, surprise surprise that HE was someone who contributed well on offense, as he logged a single and a double leading up to this big inning. The 2022 All-Star had runners on, as Cleveland reliever James Karinchak was not ready for the Opening Day lights, having recorded a time violation against JP Crawford to walk him and then plunking Kolten Wong with a pitch on his elbow guard. On a 1-1 count, France lifted a ball that was high and outside the strike zone to the right field wall, willing and hoping for it to carry out of here. The sell-out crowd of 45,268 watched as it carried just enough to leave the yard, France pumped his fists in celebration, and Seattle had a lead.
“I don’t know if that was necessarily the key. I think we were just putting good at bats together, but I’m sure that had something to do with it. For me, I was just trying to get on time with his fastball. He likes to throw it up in the zone and it’s got good carry on it. So he was a little erratic but just trying to get something good to swing at. We haven’t scored a run in 26 innings, so it was time.”
“Honestly, it feels like we never left. This place is just you really can’t say enough about these fans, the amount of love that they show us and just how loud they are every single game. It felt like October all over again.”
Castillo cuts through Cleveland’s lineup
Opening Day starter Luis Castillo wheeled and dealed all game long, just as advertised when he was acquired by the Mariners at last years trade deadline and when the team signed him to a five-year extension to keep him here. Being named the starter for Opening Day was one of his goals, and not only did he achieve this, he rocked T-Mobile Park with his arsenal of pitches and even was able to overcome being hit with a line drive. Cleveland’s Will Brennan lined a ball right back at Castillo, partially hitting his head and his hair, clipping him for a base hit. Castillo responded to that by retiring the next three batters to end the inning, and that hit by Brennan was the only base runner he allowed over the course of those six innings he pitched.
“When the ball hit me, I realized I was okay right away. I mean, normally you get hit in the head or something, you feel dizzy. But I felt good. I was able to react and see where the ball went, so because I was okay... You know what more than adrenaline? I think it was more of the shock of the scare that I got because the ball was coming right at me. But I was able to compose myself, get those three street strikes, and have a good game.”
“It meant a lot. Like I said before, we came here to kind of put up a show for the fans, and you can tell the fans were having a good time. We played good ball, and I felt like we came out there to do our job and it was a good game.”
Seattle left fielder Jarred Kelenic steals third base on a wild pitch (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Take heed: Don’t fall into old habits
I’ve raised caution in the early seasons of our Seawolves and Sounders who have both found success in the beginning of their schedules, an air of caution must be brought up with this win. Yes, it is game one, but also considering the streak of 30 scoreless innings for Seattle dating back to 2022, it’s not exactly ideal. The Mariners had numerous players in scoring position throughout the course of the night, going one for nine with runners in scoring position and ultimately stranding 13 players on base, in the game. Those issues were prevalent all season long last year, that cannot happen again this season. Again, it’s still early and that could just be a negative flash against a solid pitcher. Point being, don’t let it become a habit.
Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh slides into second base (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Quick notes
Tonight’s Mariners win marks the 4th time in franchise history that the Mariners have shutout their opponent on Opening Day (also: 1995, 2007 and 2013).
The Mariners improve to 29-18 (.617) all-time on Opening Day, including winning their last 3 dating back to 2021.
Today’s time of game of 2:14 minutes was the tied for the 2nd-quickest Opening Day game in franchise history (also: 1981)…trailed a 2:08 game to open the 2007 season.
Tonight’s crowd of 45,268 was a sellout.
Marks the Mariners largest Opening Day crowd at T-Mobile Park since 2018, when 47,149 fans were in attendance…that game was also against Cleveland.
Mariners starter Luis Castillo did not allow a run in 6 innings while striking out 6 and allowing just 1 hit.
He becomes just the 3rd different pitcher to toss 6.0+ scoreless innings on Opening Day, joining Félix Hernández (2x, 8.0 IP in 2007 and 7.2 IP in 2013) and Randy Johnson (6.0 IP in 1995)
Castillo joins Hernández as the only pitchers in franchise history to toss at least 6.0 innings and allow 1-or-fewer hit on Opening Day…Hernández accomplished the feat in 2016 at Texas.
Ty France broke the deadlock in the 8th inning with a 3-run home run…he became the 2nd Mariners player in franchise history to hit a go-ahead home run in the 8th inning (or later) on Opening Day, joining Jim Presley on April 8, 1986.
France went 3-for-4 with a 2B, HR and 3 RBI in tonight’s game…the first baseman led the Mariners with 41 multi-hit games in 2022.
France picked up the Mariners first hit of 2023 with a 2-out single in the 1st
France had 2 extra-base hits in tonight’s game…he had 2 in all of 2022.
Kolten Wong, Tommy La Stella and Teoscar Hernández all made their Mariners debuts in tonight’s game.
Outfielder Jarred Kelenic stole 2nd base in the 5th inning, becoming the first Mariners player to steal a base on Opening Day since Dylan Moore and Dee Strange-Gordon in 2019.
Mariners relievers Matt Brash, Paul Sewald and Andrés Muñoz…combined for 3.0 innings pitched, allowing 3 hits and 0 walks while striking out 3.
Brash struck out 2 in tonight’s game… His 11.0 K/9 ratio as a rookie in 2022 was the 8th-best mark in franchise history (min. 25 IP).
There was one pitch clock violation in tonight’s game…J.P. Crawford was awarded a ball due to a violation by Cleveland James Karinchak in the 8th inning.
What’s next?
The Mariners continue their Opening weekend series against the Cleveland Guardians tomorrow, Friday, March 31st, with a first pitch time of 7:10PM PST. Seattle will look to generate more runs and take advantage of the runners that they put in scoring position, as they face off against Cleveland pitcher Hunter Gaddis. Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie was supposed to start in this contest, a young talented hurler, but just a few days ago he was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder injury. Across from Gaddis, Robbie Ray gets the ball for the Mariners on the mound in his first start of the year.