Mastrobuoni comes off bench to save, then win, game for Mariners in extras

ARLINGTON -- Miles Mastrobuoni thought Corey Seager’s flare was headed to no man’s land in shallow left field, and the Mariners were headed to an extra-innings loss to the Rangers. Right-hander Eduard Bazardo had similar thoughts on the mound.

“At first, I thought we had lost the game, just the way the ball was hit,” Bazardo said.

But Mastrobuoni turned on the jets and tracked it down, making a terrific running catch to extend the game to the 12th inning. Mastrobuoni added more heroics in the 12th, delivering the go-ahead run with a two-out RBI single, which sent the Mariners to a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

Mastrobuoni said both the catch and the hit brought about similar emotions.

“Game’s on the line,” he said. “I love this group of guys. I’m going to go out there and give it everything I’ve got. Fortunate it was on the good side today.”

Mastrobuoni emerged as an unlikely star of the game. Cal Raleigh drew two intentional walks in the first four innings, the first time a Mariners player has been intentionally walked twice by the fourth inning since Ichiro Suzuki on Sept. 16, 2004. And starter Logan Gilbert had a solid outing going much of the night, allowing one run over the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth.

Then, the Mariners saw a 5-1 lead fade away as the Rangers stormed back. Texas scored three runs off Gilbert in the sixth before tying the game at 5 with a run in the seventh.

The Mariners and Rangers both put up single runs in the 10th before the Mariners ended the marathon game in the 12th. To get to the 12th, though, required Mastrobuoni’s web gem on Seager’s popup.

“That ball went up and I knew it was going to kind of be in no man’s land,” Mastrobuoni said. “I thought it was a little too far for me off the bat, then I just kept running after it. I took a peek down real quick to see where I was, where Randy [Arozarena] was, and I knew it was going to be up to me. Just gave it everything I got and just happened to come up with it.”

Added manager Dan Wilson: “He’s full speed. He has to go into a slide there, keep his eye on the ball. That’s a tough play. That’s a really tough play, and he’s the only one who can get to it.”

Mastrobuoni had one more clutch play in him with the two-out single. He fell behind 0-2 before roping a single to left, bringing in Arozarena. Arozarena made a nice slide at the plate to avoid being tagged, a play that was upheld following a challenge.

“Once I got to two strikes, it was just battle -- get the bat on the ball any way I can,” Mastrobuoni said.

It was Mastrobuoni’s second career go-ahead RBI in extra innings. His other came earlier this season with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th inning against the Athletics on May 5.

However, the most impressive part may be how Mastrobuoni has turned himself into a reliable bench player. It’s a role he wasn’t too successful with early in his career, but one that he has found a way to thrive in with the Mariners.

Mastrobuoni credited his conversations with other players who have excelled in bench roles as well as bouncing ideas off his current teammates. He’s also worked with the coaching staff to develop a routine to keep him fresh.

“We’ve found something that has just worked, that just feels game-like to get me ready,” he said.

It’s an art and a role that is appreciated throughout the clubhouse, especially on nights like Friday. Bazardo credited Mastrobuoni for saving the game with the catch. Wilson raved about the performance, too.

“It’s a tough role, no doubt about it, but he’s learned how to do it,” Wilson said. “He’s really done a great job of getting ready and being ready for the big moment. Tonight, he delivered in a couple of big moments.”

Seattle improved to 5-6 in extra-inning contests. The 12 innings matched its longest game of the season.