Out of Right Field: Recap, takeaways from the Seattle Mariners’ 7-4 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays

Tom Murphy hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the sixth inning as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 Tuesday night in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Kyle Seager also homered for the Mariners, who have won four games in a row and six of eight on their nine-game trip.

Mariners left-hander Tommy Milone (3-7), who entered after right-hander Matt Wisler pitched a scoreless first, earned his second straight victory despite allowing four runs on six hits in five innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Mariners right-handers Sam Tuivailala, Anthony Bass and Matt Magill combined for three scoreless innings of one-hit relief. Magill pitched the ninth for his second save.

Rays left-hander Jalen Beeks (5-3) allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out four.

Of note

The M’s selected OF Jake Fraley from Triple-A Tacoma and placed OF Domingo Santana on the 10-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. Fraley, acquired with OF Mallex Smith in the offseason deal with the Rays for C Mike Zunino, was batting .276 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs in 38 games with the Rainiers after being promoted from Double-A Arkansas.

By the Numbers

6: Home runs hit by Murphy on the M’s current trip. He’s batting .500 (8 for 16) with 10 RBIs.

Our take from Right Field

The M’s are last in the American League West, but they might have the best-hitting backup catchers in baseball. In addition to Murphy, Austin Nola is batting .414 on the trip (12 for 29) with three homers and seven RBIs. Nola started at first base Tuesday.

Up next

The M’s conclude their three-game series in Tampa Bay at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday at Tropicana Field. LHP Wade LeBlanc (6-7, 5.40 ERA) will follow an opener and take on Rays RHP Charlie Morton (13-5, 2.77).