SEATTLE — It might go down as one of the all-time great games of the 2022 season. There were proverbial punches thrown back and forth all night between two All-Star workhorses. There was pure filth from both bullpens. There was a scoreless tie going all the way into the bottom of the 13th inning.
How wild was this one? Torrens was pinch-hitting for the pitcher because the Mariners lost their DH with an earlier substitution. And that’s only the start for all of the insane context in this instant classic.
The epic finish followed some incredible — and bizarre — double plays by Seattle’s gloves, none more notable than the 1-6-5-4 fielder’s choice that was ignited by a behind-the-back grab on a comebacker by Matt Brash. The Mariners reliever caught lead runner Jose Trevino in a rundown between second and third, then Eugenio Suárez quickly flipped to nab Isiah Kiner-Falefa at second.
In the 11th, Adam Frazier made a leaping grab on a line drive by Aaron Hicks and quickly doubled up lead runner Miguel Andújar just as his feet hit the ground. In both innings, the Mariners recorded three outs when only facing two hitters.
And we haven’t even gotten into the epic duel between Luis Castillo and Gerrit Cole, who threw a combined 15 shutout innings.
If the season ended today, these teams would both be in the playoffs — and Tuesday’s tilt certainly had all the recipes for an October delight. If they end up meeting again in two months, this gem will be the first chapter they’ll talk about.
“The only thing missing from tonight is some leaves on the ground and some crisp in the air,” Mariners broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith said on the ROOT Sports telecast. “This one has had all the makings of October.”
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