Jose Siri hit a go-ahead two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the host Seattle Mariners 3-2 on Tuesday.
Yandy Diaz added a solo shot in the eighth for the Rays, who won for just the second time in their past six games to return to .500 (66-66).
The Mariners (67-66) lost for the second time in five games under new manager Dan Wilson and remained 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West.
Rays reliever Edwin Uceta (2-0) got the victory and Manuel Rodriguez worked the ninth for his second save.
Mariners reliever JT Chargois (2-1) took the loss after Logan Gilbert struck out a season-high 10 in six shutout innings. Gilbert gave up four hits without walking a batter.
The Mariners broke a scoreless tie in the sixth inning. With one out, Victor Robles hit a bloop single to shallow right field. After Julio Rodriguez fanned, Robles stole second and Cal Raleigh walked. With former Rays standout Randy Arozarena at the plate, Robles took off for third. Catcher Alex Jackson’s throw was wide and sailed into left field, with Robles racing home.
The Rays responded in the seventh. With two outs, Jonny DeLuca lined a single to left off Chargois. Siri then launched an 0-2 slider 418 feet over the fence in straightaway center field to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead.
Diaz lined a leadoff homer 416 feet to left-center on a 1-1 sweeper from Collin Snider in the eighth to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Mariners pulled within a run in the bottom of the inning. Leo Rivas drew a one-out walk off Garrett Cleavinger and Robles reached on a bunt single. With two outs, Raleigh lined an RBI single to left-center. Kevin Kelly replaced Cleavinger and caught Arozarena looking at a called third strike to thwart the rally.
Rays starter Jeffrey Springs tossed five scoreless innings. He allowed one hit — a bloop single by Arozarena with two outs in the fourth. Springs walked two and fanned a season-high nine.
–Field Level Media
