Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch throws out first pitch at Mariners opener

Lynch was joined by Seattle royalty for opening day

It is an exciting time for Seattle sports fans. The Seahawks are making waves, the Kraken are firmly in the playoff picture, and of course… the Mariners are officially back. Following their first playoff appearance in 21 years, the Mariners are entering rare territory: a team with buzz and legitimate expectations.

The Emerald City has Mariners fever right now, and on Thursday night, the ballclub rolled out the T-Mobile pink carpet for some serious star power to treat the Seattle faithful on opening night.

To throw out the ceremonial first pitch, the Mariners had former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, but he wasn’t alone. Joining him was Gary Payton, Kasey Keller, Jewell Lloyd, and of course… the kid himself, Ken Griffey Jr.

Of course, in typical Lynch fashion, nothing is ever “by the books” with him. His pitch went a little wild, but fortunately All Star first baseman Ty France was there to take care of it.

France was there to bail out Lynch, and the Mariners themselves, as his three-run home run in the 8th was the difference in the game. Seattle won 3-0 and started the season off on the right foot.

Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck embarrassed the Mariners’ Ty France with an unreal frisbee-like slider

That is sorcery.

It’s almost difficult to comprehend just how tough it is to hit big-league pitching. Everything about it seems impossible — the velocity, movement, precision. Like, what are batters supposed to do?

With all that in mind, you really have to feel for Mariners first baseman Ty France. He looked absolutely helpless against Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck.

The rookie right-hander was on the mound Wednesday for Boston, and Houck was dealing early through four innings — though he’d get pulled in the fifth. But he particularly gave France (not the country) a tough time.

In the second inning, Houck got France to strike out swinging on an 86 mph slider that seemingly broke three feet off the plate. Baseball is hard.