Mariners begin Dan Wilson era with walk-off win versus Giants

Dan Wilson gets his managerial career off to a dramatic start, as the Mariners come back from 5-1 down to win 6-5 in extra innings.

There’s still a lot of work for the Mariners to do, to get back into contention for the AL West and/or a wild card spot. However, for one game at least, the good vibes returned to the club and T-Mobile Park.

Dan Wilson couldn’t have written a better script for how to begin his managerial career. The Mariners miraculously came back from a 5-1 deficit, to tie the game and then win 6-5 in extra innings.

Through seven innings the Mariners were down by four runs, and it seemed to be a familiar story for a lineup which has struggled all season. They were getting on base thanks to a barely believable eight walks and a hit by pitch, but were unable to take full advantage.

This was because the Mariners only managed two hits, albeit one was a solo blast from Luke Raley in the bottom of the fifth, to pull them temporarily to within 3-1. However, the bats were effectively cold, highlighted by ruining a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the third.

Castillo struggles

Meanwhile, Luis Castillo was having one of his worst outings of the years, allowing six hits and five earned runs through 6.0 innings. He did manage nine strikeouts to no walks, but his five earned runs tied a season-high.

Fortunately the Mariners bullpen stopped the bleeding after Castillo left the game, as they did not allow another run. However, it was still going to need some magic from the lineup, to somehow get back into the game.

That magic finally came in the bottom of the eighth, as the Mariners scored four runs to tie the game at 5-5. It was a methodical approach as well, with Justin Turner, Josh Rojas and Leo Rivas all hitting RBI singles, to pull the home side to within 5-4.

Raley does it again

Then that man Raley struck again, as his second RBI — this time via a single of his own — brought Rojas home to make it 5-5. The crowd of 38,762 inside T-Mobile were as surprised as they were ecstatic by the turn of events, with this being the first time all season the team had six consecutive hits in 2024.

However, there was still no way of knowing how the game would play out, as it went to extra innings. The outcome proved to be a positive one for the Mariners though, as Rivas hit his second RBI single of the game, for the 6-5 walk-off win.

Opinion is understandably split about the timing of the decision to fire Scott Servais when the Mariners did. Some believe he should have been allowed to see out the season, while others believe Jerry Dipoto and/or the ownership deserve more blame.

In addition, there are those who think Wilson should have only been given the Manger’s job on an interim basis,at least to begin with. Regardless, there’s no denying the former fan favorite couldn’t have got his tenure off to a better start.

Wilson was of course delighted with the result, including the manner in which it was achieved. Speaking to the media afterwards, he said:

“Just seeing the way these guys fought was, it was inspiring tonight for me to see how hard they worked to come back into that game, string all those hits together. It left a good feeling.”

The Mariners’ Hall of Famer preferred to focus on the team as a whole, rather than individuals. He said:

“The way everybody chipped in and put up great at bats, the bullpen, it just felt like a complete win all around for everybody.”

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Some standout performers for the Mariners

At the same time though, there were still some players worthy of particular praise, including Rivas. Speaking about his walk-off hit, he said:

“I was trying to do the same thing that I try and do in every at-bat, make contact, try and do my thing for the team. Thank God (Dylan Moore) got the base, different situation, same approach. Thank God it happened.”

Julio Rodríguez also deserved some praise, in his first game back in center field. His impressive sliding snag in the top of the 10th, took away a potential lead-off hit which could have changed the direction of the game.

Afterwards, Wilson received plenty of hugs from his players. He said:

“It was awesome. To a guy with the hugs, it seemed like just a great family that we had, just to hug each other. They were all excited.”

To make the win even better, the Astros blew a 5-2 lead in Baltimore, to ultimately lose 7-5. As a result, the Mariners pulled to within 4.5 games of their rivals at the top of the division.

For what it’s worth, the Mariners also crept to within 6.5 games of the third and final AL wild card spot, but a division title remains the best way at this point, to make the playoffs. George Kirby will take the ball on Saturday afternoon, as Wilson and his players look to keep the good times rolling.

It’s just one game of course, but how hopeful are you that Wilson can get the Mariners back on track? Is it a realistic proposition, or unlikely in your opinion? Let us know in the comments section below.