Classic Mariners Games: Ken Griffey Jr. Delivers in a Clutch Situation
Tune in to 710 ESPN Seattle tonight at 7:00 PM for an encore broadcast of Junior’s “Old-Time Religion” Home Run in 2009
Tonight’s featured Mariners Classics game is the Mariners game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 19, 2009, with Ken Griffey Jr. hitting a game-tying, pinch-hit, two-run home run in the 8th inning. Follow the game tonight at 7:00 pm on 710 ESPN Seattle. A full schedule of classic broadcasts is available at Mariners.com/Classics.
Throughout their respective Hall of Fame careers, Ken Griffey Jr. and Dave Niehaus were connected for so many memorable moments — the original Voice of the Mariners providing the soundtrack for countless instances of Griffey magic.
The Mariners comeback win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 19, 2009 was no exception.
With one on, two out and the Mariners trailing Arizona, 3–1, in the bottom of the 8th inning, the active leader in home runs stepped to the plate, looking to provide late-inning heroics once again.
Pinch-hitting for Wladimir Balentien, Junior belted the first pitch he saw from D-backs right-hander Tony Peña for a game-tying, two-run home run. It marked Griffey’s 6th career pinch-hit home run.
The Mariners completed the comeback with a 4–3 victory.
“They’re going to pitch to him. Here comes the stretch and the pitch to Junior on the way, swing and a fly ball hit to deep right-center field! That baby is going to be…FLY AWAY! THE OLD-TIME RELIGION LIVES! Junior does it! A two-run home run and we are tied at 3–3. MY OH MY! Magic is back at least for a night…The first pitch to Junior is hit over the center field fence.” — Dave Niehaus
Starting Lineup
- Ichiro Suzuki (L) RF
- Russell Branyan (L) 1B
- Adrián Beltré 3B
- Mike Sweeney DH
- Franklin Gutierrez CF
- Endy Chávez (L) LF
- Chris Woodward 2B
- Rob Johnson C
- Yuniesky Betancourt SS
Jarrod Washburn LHP
