Mariners blow four-run lead in ninth, lose
WASHINGTON — One out away from completing a dominating victory, disaster struck for the Seattle Mariners.
Wilson Ramos capped Washington’s five-run ninth inning with a game-ending three-run homer, lifting the Nationals to a dramatic 6-5 victory over the Mariners on Tuesday night.
“Obviously, things turned in a hurry,” Seattle manager Eric Wedge said.
The Mariners wasted a fine effort from Doug Fister, who allowed one run and three hits in eight innings. The right-hander is 0-3 in four June starts despite a 3.60 ERA.
Brandon League replaced Fister for the ninth and Jayson Werth reached on a two-base error by first baseman Justin Smoak to begin the inning. Roger Bernadina walked before Ryan Zimmerman hit into a double play, leaving Werth on third.
Jerry Hairston followed with a run-scoring single and Michael Morse reached on a comebacker that hit League in the right calf, forcing him out of the game after attempting several warmup pitches.
“He couldn’t feel much down there, and that was his push-off leg, so we had to get him out of there,” Wedge said.
David Pauley (4-1) entered and gave up an RBI single to Danny Espinosa, setting the stage for Ramos.
“Everything was kind of a messed-up situation, but it’s no excuse,” Pauley said. “You have to go out there and make pitches, and I made a bad one.”
Adam Kennedy had three hits and two RBIs for Seattle, which finished with 13 hits. Prized prospect Dustin Ackley also drove in two runs.