As the 2023 Seattle Mariners season rages on, fans are holding on for dear life as the USS Good Vibes teeters on the edge of capsizing. The team has narrowly avoided disaster time and time again, thanks to some outstanding performances on the offensive front. Logan Gilbert’s impressive showing on the mound today kept the team afloat, but it was Teoscar Hernández and Jarred Kelenic’s clutch back-to-back home runs that sealed the deal in a thrilling 5-2 victory. Mariners fans rejoice, for it seems the ship has weathered yet another storm.
The game was a nail-biter from the beginning. The Chicago Cubs got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the opening inning, and the tension in the stadium was palpable. Gilbert seemed to struggle a bit early on, but by the third inning he was on fire. It was as if he had something to prove, and he brought a new level of intensity to the mound. Fans cheered as he locked things down for the next 6.2 innings, racking up seven strikeouts and only scattering a handful of hits. No one could question his determination and grit as he fought to be the stopper his team needed. Walter must have been in the house, because Gilbert was pitching with a little bit of extra anger and umph! It was a thrilling game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.
The tension was palpable as Gilbert walked off the mound, clearly frustrated after walking Patrick Wisdom in the seventh inning. The Mariners were holding onto a slim 3-1 lead, and it was clear that every pitch counted. As I watched from the stands, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was the right call to take him out. After all, Matt Brash had been pitching well lately, and LoGi was already nearing the 100-pitch mark. But then again, as Manager Scott Servais reminded us, it’s still early in the season, and there’s no need to push our starters to their limits just yet. In the end, it was a smart call, and the Mariners came away with the win.
Brash’s first few pitches were a sight to behold. He confidently came in and threw three sliders with such force that they sailed way out of the strike zone. But as the game progressed, Brash quickly realized that today was not his lucky day. The umpire’s strike zone resembled more of a Picasso painting than a traditional rectangle. Brash had to adjust his strategy quickly to get back in the game, and he did just that. He skillfully maneuvered his pitches, getting close enough to the zone to secure two strikes. Finally, Miles Mastrobuoni grounded out, and with that, Brash breathed a sigh of relief. Crisis averted. It’s all in a day’s work for a true professional like Brash.
Baseball can be a slow game at times, but when it gets exciting, it never fails to make your heart race. And that’s exactly what happened during the top of the eighth inning of this particular game. Teoscar Hernández stepped up to the plate and delivered a home run that had everyone on the edge of their seats. The ball flew so far and so fast, one lucky fan couldn’t help but show his admiration by pouring out half of his beer. It’s moments like these that make baseball so special and keep us coming back for more. All right, it’s time for the really fun stuff.
Jarred Kelenic’s competitive spirit was on full display when he decided to one-up his teammate Teo. What followed was an incredible display of power that resulted in not only the longest home run hit at Wrigley Field since 2015, but also the longest Mariners home run in the same era. In just three games, Kelenic hit three absolute rockets, leaving fans in awe of his talent. It’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement and overreact to such an impressive feat. However, it’s worth noting that the ball that secured Kelenic’s place in history was thrown back by a young Cubs fan moments later. For that fan, it may be a regrettable decision, but for Kelenic it’s an unforgettable achievement.
