The Mariners defeated the Athletics earlier today, 3-1 in eleven innings. Ichiro Suzuki rose to the occasion with four hits, all singles, two of them of the infield variety. It was a great homecoming for the star of two countries. Dustin Ackley sure looks like the next Mariners superstar as he went two for five with a home run and an RBI single that gave the Mariners the lead that won the game. Felix Hernandez and Brandon McCarthy combined for 15 innings without walking a batter, although two A’s players reached by hit by pitchers. Neither team drew a walk for the entire game! McCarthy did an excellent job getting the Mariners to pound the ball into the ground. Yoenis Cespedes impressed with a long double to deep center.

Both teams, however, showed their lack of offense in the game. Expect a lot more low scoring games from these clubs this season. On the plus side for Seattle, their likely best hitters (barring a turnaround by Ichiro) are very young. That’s a very hopeful sign. Cliff Pennington collected two hits, and the announcers talked how he was healthier this season. Maybe he’ll be the decent hitter of 2009 rather than the out machine of 2010-2011.

I wish I could have seen the game. It was a quiet start to the Major League Baseball season, and the Mariners get to spend a day in first place!