g47 | so many turning points, it went 360

Mariners 8 | Twins 7

Seems there were two precursors in the first inning...
~ a good one in the top of the inning - Jack's first JACK!!! (with Ichiro aboard)
~ a bad one in the bottom of the inning - Jason gives up a lead-off homer

That would be just the beginning of a see-saw evening at Target Field....
The M's own the first three innings by scoring four total runs, the Twins own the middle innings when Jason finally stumbled and gave up four of his own and then the M's would rally long and hard to get the win in ten innings.

Lots of heros tonight..
Among which I include Jason, as he hung around in the dugout, pulling for his teammates - and with good reason.  This was a TRUE TEAM WIN.  Literally EVERYONE contributed - each player, including pinch-runners and pinch hitters, did something to help get to ultimate victory - hit, RBI, walk, score, stolen base.  There was everything from Jack's homer, to RBI doubles by Guit and Gimenez, to singles, great base-running and productive outs in the 8th, to a "money bag" by Michael pinch-running for Justin, to a clutch RBI single by Piggy in the 9th to tie the game,  to more singles and an Ichiro sac bunt, to Luis's sac fly RBI that would prove to be the winning run.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

And, let's not forget the bullpen...
Aaron got five ground outs in-a-row, after taking over for Jason with two outs in the 5th, before giving up an infield single and then a homer to Thome.  Ray and Wright each pitched a scoreless inning and then Brandon came in and threw a perfect 10th for the save.

Every win is great...
But an extra-inning victory, on the road, with everyone contributing is truly something special.  I wouldn't be surprised if this one goes a long way in defining the character of this team.