Guzman’s Best Game Of Season Shuts Down Mariners, 5-1 Bolstered By Jays’ 14-Hit Attack, Pitcher Limits Seattle To Three Hits In Eight Innings

Juan Guzman pitched his best game of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays had 14 hits in beating the Seattle Mariners 5-1 Friday night at the Kingdome.

Guzman (3-5) made his eighth start since coming off the disabled list June 4 because of a right shoulder muscle imbalance. He made the Mariners look off-kilter, allowing only three hits in eight innings and striking out six to break a personal two-game losing streak and lower his ERA from 7.23 to 6.52.

Paul Molitor and Roberto Alomar paced the offense for Toronto. Molitor went 4 for 5, including three doubles, and Alomar drove in three runs with two doubles and a single.

The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead off Chris Bosio (6-4) in the first inning on Molitor’s double and a single from former Washington State University standout John Olerud.

They made it 3-0 in the third on back-to-back doubles by Molitor and Alomar and a single by Joe Carter.

The Mariners got their run in the third on a leadoff double by Luis Sojo, Joey Cora’s fielder’s choice and an infield out by Alex Diaz.

Toronto got its fourth run in the seventh on singles by Angel Martinez and Molitor and Alomar’s sacrifice fly and their last run in the ninth on doubles by Molitor and Alomar.

Bosio went seven innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits and a walk.

Notes

Guzman improved his career record against the Mariners to 5-0. … The Mariners lost for the seventh time in nine games. … Bosio has lost three in a row and is 1-4 after a 5-0 start.

Molitor improved his career batting average against Bosio to .467 (7 for 15). … When Joey Cora was caught stealing at third base in the third, it was only the second time in 19 attempts that a Mariners base runner was caught trying to steal third. … Toronto failed to hit a home run for the first time in nine games.