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Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

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July 1, 2008 11:29 PM

Bloomquist, Sexson play heroes for a night

Posted by Tom Wyrwich

On Tuesday night, Richie Sexson had power.

On Tuesday night, so did Willie Bloomquist.

On Tuesday night, the Mariners, even as they stretched their bullpen thin, stared at a 6-2 lead and came back.

It was a crazy night.

Let's start with Sexson. The last time he homered? May 24. That was before the NBA Finals even began, to give you an idea of the timeframe here. This one was a no-doubter, 376 feet, and could not have come at a bigger moment in the game.

I wish I could tell you what he said after the game, but I can't. He didn't come out to speak with the press. Someone saw him leave out a back door in the team dining room.

Now to Bloomquist. He put one in deep left center to win it. It could have been his first extra-base hit of the season, and he joked about it after the game.

"I wanted a double. I haven't had a double yet this year, so I was hoping to get to second" he said, laughing. "No, it was kind of instinctive running, I guess. You never know if a guy falls or trips and you get the next base. I was trying to outrun all the crew trying to tackle me."

Lastly, the comeback doesn't happen unless four relievers -- Cesar Jimenez, Arthur Rhodes, Sean Green and Brandon Morrow -- don't pitch 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Morrow was again spectacular, and his ERA is now 0.74. If he stays there by the All-Star break, it will be the best pre-break ERA in team history.

OK, you all will get Geoff Baker back tomorrow. I'll be back Saturday against Detroit.

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