Mariners Game Recap: M’s Sink Pirates in Seattle

Jun 28, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) celebrates as he returns to the dugout following his two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) celebrates as he returns to the dugout following his two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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62. Final. 2. 4. 5

The Seattle Mariners raised their record above the .500 mark with a 5-2 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night at Safeco Field.

The Seattle Mariners bested the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning 5-2 in the series opener on Tuesday night at Safeco Field. Hisashi Iwakuma (7-6, 4.34 ERA) earned the win for the Mariners, and Jon Niese (6-6, 5.07 ERA) was credited with the loss for the Bucs. Steve Cishek picked up his 18th save of the season after shutting down the visitors in the ninth.

Tonight’s game remained deadlocked at 0 through the first two innings, but the Mariners fired the first cannonball in the home half of the third inning. Leonys Martin led off the frame with a single into left field. Shawn O’Malley dropped down a beautiful bunt single, and Niese’s throw to first base was wild, which allowed Martin to move up to third base on the play. Ketel Marte grounded into a double play, but Martin was able to hustle home to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.

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The Mariners doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Robinson Cano started things off by singling on a line drive to left field. Nelson Cruz struck out, but Dae-ho Lee walked and Kyle Seager singled to load the bases for the Mariners with only 1 out. Chris Iannetta came through by lofting a sacrifice fly into center field to make it a 2-0 game.

Seattle made it three consecutive innings with at least 1 run scored in the home half of the fifth inning. O’Malley and Marte were quickly retired by Niese, but a Franklin Gutierrez walk sparked a 2-out rally. After a wild pitch allowed Guti to move up to second base, Cano plated him on a single. Cruz took the inning to another level by depositing a 76 mph curveball into the upper deck in left field for a 2-run homer. Cruz’s 20th big fly of the season gave the Mariners a 5-0 lead.

Gregory Polanco led off the Pittsburgh sixth with a double down the line in right field. The lanky Polanco moved up to third base on an Andrew McCutchen fly out. Starling Marte tripled home Polanco on a line drive that split the gap in right-center field. After Matt Joyce popped out to Lee at first base, David Freese came through with a 2-out RBI single to make it a 5-2 game.

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Kuma spun a gem tonight, blanking the Pirates across 6 innings en route to earning the win. He did allow a pair of runs to score in the sixth, but that doesn’t take away from his solid outing. The veteran right-hander allowed 6 hits and fanned 4 while issuing 1 walk through 6.2 innings of work.

Edwin Diaz was called on to get the Mariners out of a jam in the seventh. With two runners on base and two out, Diaz got Mercer to fly out weakly to right field to end the inning. The flame throwing righty stayed on to work the eighth, and he pitched a perfect frame to maintain the M’s 3-run cushion.

Steve Cishek entered in the top of the ninth, and immediately allowed a leadoff single. Thankfully the Mariners closer settled down after that, retiring the next three men he faced to secure the win for Seattle.

Next: Jesus Sucre Begins Rehab Assignment in Tacoma

Up next for the Mariners (39-38) is another date with the Pittsburgh Pirates (37-41) on Wednesday night at Safeco Field. Seattle will have an opportunity to sweep this two game mini series if they can come out on top. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm tomorrow night from the corner of Edgar & Dave. Wade Miley (6-3, 5.28 ERA) will get the ball for the M’s, and Jameson Taillon (1-1, 4.50 ERA) will be on the bump for the Bucs.