Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - After a four-run sixth inning, the Seattle
Mariners held on to beat the Minnesota Twins, 5-4.
Blake Beavan (9-8) had allowed 13 earned runs over his last 22 1/3 innings in
four previous starts, but held the Twins to two runs on five hits in seven
innings on Thursday.
Kyle Seager and Trayvon Robinson eached knocked in a pair of runs for the
Mariners, who took three-of-four games in the series against Minnesota.
Brian Duensing (3-10) lost for the fourth time in his last five starts after
he gave up four runs -- three earned -- on four hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Josh Willingham hammered a two-run home run, his 33rd of the season, for the
Twins, who lost for the 17th time in their last 21 games.
Seattle trailed 2-1 entering the sixth inning, but after Dustin Ackley walked
between singles by Brendan Ryan and Franklin Gutierrez, the bases became
loaded with no one out. Seager lofted a fly ball to center field to tie the
game at two. Jesus Montero then sent a fly ball to left field, but Josh
Willingham dropped it, allowing Ackley to score and give Seattle the lead.
After Justin Smoak struck out and John Jaso walked to reload the bases,
Robinson lined a single through the right side to score two and give the
Mariners a 5-2 lead.
Minnesota gave the Mariners a scare in the eighth and ninth innings.
Alexi Casilla worked a one-out walk against Charlie Furbush and Willingham
followed with a two-out, two-run homer to left field to bring the Twins within
one in the eighth. Morneau then came to bat and hit with a long fly ball, but
Eric Thames made the catch on the warning track in right field to escape the
inning.
Tom Wilhelmsen worked past a pair of walks and stranded a runner on third to
close out the win and earn his 21st save.
Seattle took an early lead in the top of the first inning. Gutierrez lined a
one-out double to right and scored on Seager's single.
Minnesota responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Ben Revere
led off with a base hit, stole second and scored on a base hit by Casilla.
Mauer moved Casilla to third with a base hit and Justin Morneau scored him
with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Game Notes
Seattle has won eight of its last nine games against Minnesota ... The
Mariners have won 17 of their last 18 games against teams currently under .500
... Seattle starting pitchers are 20-9 with a 2.86 earned run average since
July 19 ... Seattle went 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded
four ... Minnesota went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left six
on base.
The Sports Network