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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Log: Kyle Seager delivers in extra innings

Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners' Kyle Seager gets doused by teammate Nelson Cruz after hitting a walkoff RBI single to beat the Detroit Tigers in the tenth inning on June 20, 2017, in Seattle. The Seattle Mariners beat the Detroit Tigers 5-4 on an RBI single by Kyle Seager. (Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

SEAGER’S DOUBLE IN 10TH LIFTS M’S TO THIRD STRAIGHT WIN

What happened: Kyle Seager drove in pinch-runner Tyler Smith from second with a double in the 10th inning and the Seattle Mariners edged the Detroit Tigers 5-4 in the second of a four-game series at Safeco Field in Seattle.

Nelson Cruz drew a walk from reliever Justin Wilson to start the rally, then a wild pitch moved Smith into scoring position.

The heroics were needed due to the Tigers’ two-run rally in the eighth against Dan Altavilla, featuring J.D. Martinez’ 12th home run of the campaign.

Ben Gamel, who extended a hitting streak to 12 games, and Taylor Motter homered for the Mariners, while former Spokane Indian Ian Kinsler hit his 44th career leadoff home run against Mariners starter Ariel Miranda, tying Brady Anderson for fifth most leadoff home runs of all time.

Miranda went seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Detroit starter Jordan Zimmermann gave up three runs on six hits and three walks with seven Ks.

Line Outs

  • Things got sideways right off the bat, as Ian Kinsler smoked a 1-1 fastball for his sixth homer of the season to lead off the game.
  • The M’s got that back – and more – in the bottom as Ben Gamel doubled and Mitch Haniger walked, then Nelson Cruz doubled to center to plate both runners. Cruz died on the vine when Kyle Seager and Danny Valencia struck out swinging.
  • The Tigers tied it the next inning on Justin Upton’s solo homer (14), but the M’s responded with Taylor Motter’s solo shot to retake the lead at 3-2 after two.
  • After the hot start, the offenses stagnated until the seventh inning, when Gamel ended a nine-pitch at bat against reliever Daniel Stumpf by getting into a 93 mph fastball, sending it just past the end of the grandstand in right center for his third home run of the season.
  • In the next inning, Dan Altavilla happened. The hard-throwing reliever walked Kinsler to lead off, then with Kinsler stealing, he bounced a slider that caromed off Mike Zunino toward the visitors’ dugout. Kinsler raced all the way around to score. On the next pitch, J.D. Martinez crushed a flat 98 mph fastball to the stands in right-center for his 12th homer of the season.

The Takeaway

Never say die. This team is so much better at home than on the road.

Tweet of the Day

Players of the Game

Hero: Kyle Seager. One hit, but it was the right one.

Goat: Dan Altavilla. His name is getting mentioned here way too many times.

Next Game

Detroit Tigers (32-38) vs. Seattle Mariners (36-37) on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. at Safeco Field. James Paxton (5-2, 3.23) hosts Justin Verlander (4-4, 4.50).

What others are saying (and writing)

Corey Seager had a great day yesterday, hitting three home runs for the Dodgers and just missing a grand slam that would have been a record-tying fourth. But he didn’t get to experience the glow his brother Kyle did after his 10th-inning double gave the M’s the 5-4 win. … Speaking of glow, there isn’t any in Detroit as the Tigers sink in the Central. … Miranda polished up his resume a bit, bouncing back from his worst start of the season. … If the M’s don’t make a move now, they may never make one. … Though Jean Segura should be back, maybe even Thursday, Hisashi Iwakuma will be out longer. … Cruz is still No. 1 in All-Star balloting.