The final thrill came long after Justus Sheffield made his much-anticipated Mariners debut.
Mitch Haniger’s hard-hit ball to third baseman Logan Forsythe was mishandled with the bases loaded, scoring the winning run in the Mariners’ 5-4 win over the Texas Rangers in 11 innings, seven innings and more than a couple of hours after Sheffield’s night was over.
Sheffield, the 22-year-old lefty who is the team’s top prospect, was a bit shaky in his three innings after relieving starter Yusei Kikuchi in the second inning. He left the game with a one-run lead, and it looked for a long time like it might be enough.