Kyle Seager’s 3 RBIs lead Mariners over Tigers, 7-2
DETROIT – The Seattle Mariners overcame a slow start and found a way to get past the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.
Kyle Seager drove in three runs, including two in a three-run third inning, and the Mariners topped the Tigers with a 7-2 victory.
“I don’t think we were ready to go in the first couple innings,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “It was a day game and we were still waking up.”
Mallex Smith stole two bases in three attempts, giving him 34, the most in the majors.
The Mariners won two of three in the series after losing eight of their previous nine. Seager played a big role in both wins against the Tigers. He hit three homers in Tuesday’s win and drove in six runs.
“Kyle had some big hits for us,” Servais said. “We haven’t had many series wins lately, so this is a good way to start the road trip.”
Detroit finished 4-7 on its 11-game homestand to fall to 17-43 at home.
“I think our offense was a little better on this homestand – at least it felt that way from the dugout,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. “But we’re not getting enough hits in big situations, and we didn’t do much of anything today.”
After Seattle opener Matt Wisler pitched a scoreless first, Tommy Milone (2-7) took over as the primary pitcher and allowed two runs and six hits in four innings.
“This is something I’m used to, whether I come in for the second, third or fourth,” he said. “I know what day I’m going to pitch and the preparation is somewhat the same. It’s just delayed a bit.”
Milone left after allowing a leadoff single in the sixth, but he picked up his first win since May 27.
Tigers starter Spencer Turnbull (3-11) allowed three runs and six hits in five innings.
Turnbull struck out seven batters in the first three innings, but he only retired the side in order in the first. The Mariners put two runners on in the second and scored three runs in the third.
With two outs and a runner on first, Omar Narvaez’s double put two runners in scoring position. They both came home on Seager’s double before Austin Nola made it 3-0 with an RBI single.
Victor Reyes led off the fourth with a triple that scooted under Smith’s glove. Dawel Lugo followed with a sacrifice fly to pull Detroit within 3-1 before Miguel Cabrera hit his ninth homer of the season.
Moore led off the seventh with a homer off Matt Hall to move the Seattle lead to 4-2, and Narvaez added an RBI single later in the inning.
Smith’s flare to center made it 6-2 in the eighth, and Seager singled to score J.P. Crawford in the ninth.