Cora Helps M’S Corral 7th Straight Win Doubles Home Go-Ahead Run Against Detroit In Five-Run Eighth Inning

Joey Cora doubled home the go-ahead run in a five-run eighth inning Wednesday night as the Seattle Mariners rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-3 and extend their winning streak to seven.

Trailing 3-1, the Mariners tied the game in the seventh on a single and four walks. Edgar Martinez walked with the bases loaded and Jay Buhner followed with a sacrifice fly.

Alex Rodriguez then doubled off Randy Veres (0-1) with one out in the eighth, Cora doubled him in and Ken Griffey Jr. was walked intentionally. After a wild pitch, Veres gave an intentional walk to Edgar Martinez, loading the bases.

Veres then forced in a run by walking Buhner and hit Paul Sorrento with a pitch, giving Seattle a 6-3 lead. Doug Strange followed with a two-run single.

Mike Jackson (1-0) pitched one-third of an inning, and Rafael Carmona pitched the ninth.

Detroit pitchers walked eight, including seven in the seventh and eighth innings.

Tigers starter Felipe Lira allowed seven hits in six innings, struck out a career-high eight and walked two.

Mariners starter Sterling Hitchcock gave up three runs and 10 hits in seven innings, struck out seven and walked none.

Cecil Fielder hit an RBI double in the first, and sacrifice flies by Melvin Nieves in the first and Chad Curtis in the second put Detroit ahead 3-0.

Sorrento hit a solo homer in the sixth, his fourth of the year.