Olmos earns first win with brilliant relief outing

SEATTLE -- On a night when the Mariners' bullpen provided an improbable boost, rookie southpaw Edgar Olmos proved to be the unexpected hero.

A relief crew that has taken plenty of lumps this season stepped up with 7 2/3 innings of scoreless work in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the A's. And it was Olmos -- pitching just his fourth game since his promotion from Triple-A -- picking up his first career win by hurling the first 3 2/3 frames after starter Mike Montgomery staked the A's to a five-run lead in the second.

"It's amazing. Indescribable," Olmos said. "It's something as a little kid you want to be part of, and I'm living that dream. It's awesome."

It's been a roller-coaster year for the 25-year-old California native, who was claimed off waivers by the Mariners from the Marlins in the offseason, then released and picked up by the Rangers -- only to be returned to Seattle after a shoulder injury cropped up during the waiver process in Spring Training.

Olmos says he's thrilled to have ended up back with the Mariners, and he was certainly riding a wave of emotion after running his scoreless streak to 7 2/3 innings since his call-up from Triple-A Tacoma a week earlier. Though he'd pitched an inning in Monday's 11-5 loss as well, he was ready to roll again when the phone rang early.

"I had to get ready pretty fast," Olmos said. "I was just trying to get the ball down, get my arm loose and the next thing you know I'm in the game. That was also an exhilarating feeling."

And no one appreciated it more than manager Lloyd McClendon, who has seen his bullpen beset by injuries, trades and disappointing performances for much of the season.

"Olmos did just a tremendous job," McClendon said. "He really saved us today. It was just an outstanding job. I couldn't be prouder of how he went about his business tonight."

Olmos had the game's scorecard in his locker and was looking for a game ball to add to his collection before calling his parents to share the victory. He'd pitched five games in relief for the Marlins in 2013, but posted a 7.20 ERA in that limited duty.

Things have gone far better in his short time now with Seattle. He said the moment was still sinking in after Tuesday's game and probably wouldn't really hit until he called home.

"My first win," he said with a grin. "It's an awesome feeling."