Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now
Seattle Mariners

Eighth-inning homer give M’s the win

Associated Press
DETROIT — Russell Branyan hit a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning to give Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. Branyan drove a 1-0 pitch from Bobby Seay (1-2) into the stands in right-center for his 24th homer — the last of Seattle’s two hits in the game. Hernandez (11-3) struck out eight in seven innings, allowing one run and six hits. Mark Lowe pitched a perfect eighth and David Aardsma finished for his 23rd save in 25 chances. Armando Galarraga matched Hernandez with a terrific outing for the Tigers, yielding one run and one hit in 7 1-3 innings. He walked Jack Hannahan leading off the eighth and retired Ronny Cedeno on a grounder to third before he was replaced by Seay. Ichiro Suzuki grounded into a shortstop-to-third fielder’s choice before Branyan connected. Clete Thomas gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead with a two-out RBI single in the third. Detroit had the bases loaded with two out in the first, but Hernandez retired Josh Anderson on a fly ball to left to end the inning. Hernandez has won seven consecutive decisions. NOTES: Detroit 3B Brandon Inge didn’t start because of patella tendinitis in both knees. He entered in the field in the eighth and struck out swinging to end the game. … Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said CF Franklin Guiterrez, who bruised his left elbow and left knee attempting to make a leaping catch against the right-center field wall on Tuesday night, could play on Thursday. Gutierrez’s biggest obstacle is a stiff neck. … Tigers OF Carlos Guillen, on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, played at Triple-A Toledo on a rehab assignment on Wednesday night. … Wakamatsu said LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, who is at Triple-A Tacoma, will be called up to start Friday’s home game against Cleveland. … Thomas batted cleanup for the first time in his career. … Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera’s two-out double in the fifth extended his hitting streak to a career-high 17 games.