M’s win thriller to stay alive to the end

SEATTLE –  See you today because maybe, just maybe, the Mariners have some magic left in their improbable postseason quest after Saturday’s 2-1 walk-off victory over the Los Angeles Angels in 11 innings.

Austin Jackson beat out a potential double-play grounder that scored the winning run on a one-out grounder to second base with runners at first and third.

When Jackson beat the relay, Brad Miller scored from third.

And here we are.

The victory pulled the Mariners to within one game of fast-fading Oakland in the battle for the American League’s final Wild Card berth.

If the Mariners win Sunday, and the A’s lose again at Texas, then that Wild Card berth will hinge on a play-in game Monday between the Mariners and A’s at Safeco Field.

And the Mariners have Felix Hernandez in line to start Sunday against Angels right-hander Cory Rasmus.

The winning rally was loaded with redemption.

Miller struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning but started the winning rally against Mike Morin (4-4) with a one-out double to right.

Chris Taylor, who also struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth, followed with a bloop single to center that moved Miller to third.

As they did in the ninth, the Angels shifted to a five-infielder alignment. They also replaced Morin with Vinnie Pestano to face Jackson, who had ended that ninth-inning threat with a fly to right.

Dominic Leone (8-2) got the victory after pitching around Chris Iannetta’s check-swing leadoff single past first base in the Angels’ 11th.

The Angels, who have already clinched the AL’s best record, played the last few innings with several reserves after pulling most of their starters in the seventh and eighth.

But oh…that missed chance in the ninth: Kyle Seager led off with a squib single up the third-base line against reliever Jason Grilli, who then walked Logan Morrison.

It was Morrison who erased a 1-0 deficit with an RBI double in the seventh inning. The Mariners replaced Seager at second base with James Jones, which soon paid a huge dividend.

When Endy Chavez put down a sacrifice bunt, Iannetta tried for the out at third – but the throw was late.

Bases loaded with no outs.

The Angels aligned their defense with five infielders (and two outfielders) as Miller pinch-hit for Jesus Sucre. All five infielders played in.

Miller took a borderline strike on a 3-2 pitch before Taylor struck out on three pitches. That allowed the Angels to return to a normal defensive alignment.

Grilli fell behind Jackson 3-0 before throwing two strikes. Jackson fouled off the next pitch before flying out to right.

They all got another chance.

The Mariners trailed 1-0 when Kyle Seager led off the seventh with a drive to deep right that hooked just foul before settling for a walk.

At that point, word came from Texas that the Rangers had held on for a 5-4 victory over Oakland.

Morrison followed with an RBI double into the right-center gap.

And Safeco erupted.

That also finished Angels starter C.J. Wilson.