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Seattle Mariners

Walker turns in another gem for Mariners

In his last six starts, Mariners starting pitcher Taijuan Walker is 5-1 with an ERA of 1.91. (Associated Press)
Bob Dutton Tacoma News Tribune

ANAHEIM, Calif. –  Who doesn’t like Christmas even in June? The Mariners ought to be big fans after marking the occasion Friday with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

Right-hander Taijuan Walker delivered another shutdown performance by shaking off a first-inning home run by Mike Trout by allowing nothing more through seven innings.

The Mariners’ attack did just enough against Angels starter Matt Shoemaker before Robinson Cano provided an insurance run with a booming homer against reliever Fernando Salas.

It all came in a festive setting at Angel Stadium, which was decked out with all holiday trappings to mark a Christmas promotion.

Walker is 5-1 with a 1.91 ERA in his last six starts with 44 strikeouts and three walks in 42 1/3 innings. He is back to .500 at 6-6 overall, and his ERA is down to 4.64.

“I’m more confident when I’m out there,” he said, “especially when I get in big situations. I’m trusting Zee (catcher Mike Zunino) back there. He’s calling the right pitches, and I’m executing them.”

Walker’s ERA was 8.74 after his first five starts.

“The growth that this young man has shown over the course of the last five or six weeks has just been tremendous,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “Tonight, he never panicked.”

Charlie Furbush replaced Walker to start in the eighth. Furbush’s job was to retire Kole Calhoun, which he did on three swinging strikes. Then it was Carson Smith for the two big right-handers: Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.

Trout grounded a single up the first-base line against an overshifted infield. Smith jumped ahead 0-2 on Pujols before throwing four straight balls, which put runners at first and second with one out.

But Smith stranded both runners by getting Johnny Giavotella to ground into a double play. Giavotella was batting instead of Erick Aybar, who exited the game in the seventh inning because of a tight left hamstring.

Smith’s escape got the game to the ninth – and to Fernando Rodney in his first save opportunity since blowing a lead in a June 2 lead in a loss to the New York Yankees.

Rodney pitched around a one-out single for his 15th save in 18 chances. That makes six straight scoreless appearances, but McClendon isn’t yet ready to hand back the closer’s role.

“I’m going to continue doing what we’re doing, put the guy in there I think gives us the best chance to win,” McClendon said.

The victory lifted the Mariners (34-40) out of last place in the American League West, one game ahead of Oakland.