When play started on August 24, 1995, the Mariners were one game under .500, at 54–55, and 11.5 games behind the California Angels in the AL West. The Mariners opened a four-game series against the New York Yankees that night, facing tough right-hander David Cone.
After suffering two broken bones in his left wrist on May 26, Ken Griffey Jr. returned two weeks ahead of schedule on August 15 — and he was beginning to hit his stride as the Yankees came to town.
The scoring opened in the bottom of the 1st when Jay Buhner belted a grand slam home run off Cone.