Bloomquist runs home with winner
SEATTLE — Pinch-runner Willie Bloomquist stole third base and scored on catcher Henry Blanco’s throwing error with one out in the ninth inning to give the Seattle Mariners a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night.
Blanco’s throw appeared to ricochet off the sliding Bloomquist’s helmet toward the Twins’ third-base dugout. Sliding headfirst, Bloomquist collided with third baseman Corey Koskie, who fell over in pain.
Bloomquist then got up and scored without a play at home plate. Bloomquist grabbed his head after crossing the plate.
Bloomquist was running for Scott Spiezio, who got aboard on an infield single to second with one out. Bloomquist moved to second on Juan Rincon’s throwing error.
George Sherrill (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to get the victory while Rincon (9-5) was the loser.
The Twins lost their fourth in a row and sixth in seven games to have their lead in the A.L. Central over Cleveland cut to three games.
The last-place Mariners have won four of five from the Twins in Seattle this season.
The Twins tied it at 3 in the sixth on a single by Koskie and Michael Cuddyer’s double.
Randy Winn singled in two runs in the fifth to put the Mariners ahead 3-2. Spiezio walked, Jose Lopez singled him to third and Lopez went to second on a wild pitch.
The Mariners scored their first run in the fourth on consecutive doubles by Bret Boone and Raul Ibanez.
The Twins grabbed a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Justin Morneau and a run-scoring double by Jacque Jones.
Mariners starter Bobby Madritsch gave up three runs on six hits and three walks in seven innings, striking out six.
Notes
Meet the new closer: A month ago, the Mariners made J.J. Putz their eighth-inning setup reliever in lieu of anyone else capable of filling that role. In a season when even the backup plans have fallen apart, Putz finds himself in a new role. He’s the closer for now, and probably a long time, as the Mariners see how he handles that job. With Eddie Guardado expected to miss up to a year because of a torn rotator cuff, the Mariners are eager to see if Putz’s unflappable demeanor and his mid-90 mph fastball are right for the closer’s role.