Mariners Hitters Show Off Seattle Hammers Seven Home Runs In 9-3 Triumph Over Milwaukee

While Seattle was dealing for its second pitcher in two days, the Mariners were showing why the club wasn’t shopping for any hitters.

Jay Buhner, Ken Griffey Jr., and Alex Rodriguez each homered twice and the Seattle Mariners hit seven home runs Wednesday night in a 9-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Everybody just wants to contribute, however they can, from number one to number nine,” Griffey said. “And that’s the whole thing. Sometimes it’s the little things. Your home runs aren’t going to win every ballgame. They’ll win you a few, but the little things are what will win you all of them.”

Brian Hunter added another homer for the Mariners, who acquired lefty Terry Mulholland before the trading deadline. On Tuesday, Seattle got Jamie Moyer from Boston for the pennant stretch.

Seattle’s also came on a night when the Brewers traded Greg Vaughn, their top power hitter, to the San Diego Padres.

“They hit mustard tonight,” said Brewer Manager Phil Garner, who was without a big gun to answer back.

The Brewers had 10 hits - all singles.

Seattle manager Lou Piniella, who already enjoys the luxury of a powerful offense, thinks the two pitchers strengthen his club for the stretch run to a playoff spot.

“We needed pitching here,” he said. “We got two experienced pitchers who can help us.”

Griffey, who now has 34 home runs, had the 21st multi-homer game of his short career and seventh this season. He also started the barrage in the first inning.

Joey Cora singled to open the game and two batters later Griffey hit a ball 402 feet to right-center. Buhner, who now has 30 home runs, followed with a homer.

The home runs were off Milwaukee starter Jeff D’Amico (3-4), who gave up four runs in five innings on five hits, three of them homers.

Buhner added a solo shot in the third inning for a 4-0 lead and Hunter’s fifth homer in the seventh made it 5-3. After Rich Amaral singled in the seventh, Rodriguez hit his 23rd homer to make it 7-3.

Hunter was hit in the left leg by reliever Ramon Garcia in the eighth. When Jeff Manto grounded to short, Hunter slid hard into second baseman Fernando Vina to try to break up the double play. Hunter was ejected for his head-first high slide which knocked over Vina, who still completed the double play.

In the ninth inning, Rodriguez and Griffey hit back-to-back homers for the 15th time this season to make it 9-3.

Seattle starter Sterling Hitchcock (11-4) gave up three runs and 10 singles in 5-1/3 innings.

Mariners notes

Jamie Moyer, acquired by Seattle on Tuesday, reported… . The Mariners have hit back-to-back homers 14 times this year. … Outfielder Raul Ibanez has been recalled by the Mariners from Tacoma. Pitcher Blas Minor has been designated for reassignment.