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Seattle Mariners

More ninth-inning misery for Mariners in 6-5 loss to Angels

Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout heads home to score the go-ahead run on an error by Jean Segura of the Mariners during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout heads home to score the go-ahead run on an error by Jean Segura of the Mariners during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, in Seattle. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
By Tim Booth Associated Press

SEATTLE – Mike Trout scored from second base on Jean Segura’s error in the top of the ninth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels rallied from a four-run deficit for a 6-5 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

For the second straight night, Trout was the source of some ninth-inning misery for the Mariners. He had a three-run double in Thursday’s series opener to give the Angels a 6-3 victory. A day later, Trout walked with one out, taking a close 3-2 pitch from James Pazos (3-4). Albert Pujols followed with a single and C.J. Cron chopped a hard grounder that Segura couldn’t handle that bounced far enough into left field for Trout to score the go-ahead run.

Seattle held a 5-1 lead going into the seventh inning thanks to home runs from Nelson Cruz and Mike Zunino, but the Angels scored four runs in the seventh to pull even.

The Angels took advantage of struggling young Seattle righty Andrew Moore in the seventh, most of the damage coming with two outs. Called up earlier Friday to take the spot of left-handed ace James Paxton, who was placed on the disabled list, Moore gave up a two-out infield single to Cameron Maybin and walked Trout to load the bases. Pujols delivered a two-run single, Cron added an RBI single, and Andrelton Simmons capped the rally with an RBI double that tied the game at 5.

Amplifying Moore’s struggles, Seattle failed to start getting a reliever ready in the bullpen until after Pujols’ hit.

Three Angels’ relievers quieted Seattle after the Mariners knocked around starter Ricky Nolasco. Cruz hit his 28th homer of the season leading off the second inning. He added a double in the fourth and his double off the wall in right-center field in the sixth scored Robinson Cano to give Seattle a 4-1 lead and end Nolasco’s night. Cruz later scored on Jarrod Dyson’s two-out single. Nolasco allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings.

But that was it for Seattle as Eduardo Parades and Keynan Middleton (3-0) shut down the Mariners for three innings. Yusmeiro Petit pitched the ninth for his second save.

Gonzales solid for M’s

Gonzaga University alum Marco Gonzales was efficient and effective against the Angels. Pitching in the Mariners starting rotation while Felix Hernandez is on the disabled list, Gonzales allowed only two hits in his first four innings, although one of those hits was a second-inning solo home run from Jefry Marte. He was lifted with one out in the fifth inning.

Minor move

In need of possible arms for the rotation, the Mariners have acquired left-hander Andrew Albers from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations on Friday. Albers has pitched entirely in the minors this season. The 31-year-old is 12-3 with a 2.61 ERA pitching for Triple-A Gwinnett this season. He will report to Triple-A Tacoma.

Up next

Angels: JC Ramirez (10-10) makes his 23rd start of the season. It will be his second appearance and first start against Seattle this year.

Mariners: Erasmo Ramirez (4-4) makes his third start since being traded from Tampa Bay to Seattle. Ramirez lost his last start against Kansas City.