Ramirez homers twice as Padres blast Mariners
SAN DIEGO -- Alexei Ramirez slugged two home runs and matched a career high with five RBIs as the San Diego Padres annihilated the Seattle Mariners 14-6 Wednesday night.
The Padres, after being outscored by Seattle 25-7 in the previous two games, broke loose with a season-high-tying 19 hits to snap a four-game losing streak. It was just San Diego's second win in its past 10 contests.
There were plenty of hitting stars for the Padres as they opened an eight-game homestand after going 1-7 on their just-concluded road trip.
Wil Myers finished a triple shy of the cycle and had three RBIs. Jon Jay had four hits, and Yangervis Solarte had three.
Lefty Christian Friedrich (2-1) was the benefactor of the uprising, as he pitched five innings and was charged with four runs (three earned) on nine hits and four walks. He struck out four before four relievers finished off the Mariners.
Seattle's James Paxton (0-1) made his first start of the season, and it was rocky. A late replacement for ace Felix Hernandez, who went on the disabled list with a strained calf, Paxton lasted 3 2/3 innings, surrendering eight runs (three earned) on 10 hits and a walk. Paxton struck out seven.
Robinson Cano hit a three-run, first-inning home run, and Kyle Seager collected four hits for the Mariners, who remain a half-game behind the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead.
Myers' fifth-inning, RBI double put the Padres up 10-4. Solarte followed with an RBI single.
The Mariners cut their deficit to 9-4 in the fifth when Seager, who hit his third single, scored on Luis Sardinas' double-play grounder.
Ramirez's two-run homer in the fourth pushed the Padres ahead, 9-3.
Matt Kemp's second RBI came in the second, when his single scored Jay for a 7-3 cushion.
The Padres rallied in their half of the first, taking a 6-3 lead.
Myers stroked his eighth homer of the year, and Kemp, aboard on a single, came around on Paxton's throwing error. Derek Norris' sacrifice fly scored Solarte, and Ramirez's RBI single gave San Diego a 4-3 edge.
Adam Rosales then hit a two-run, second-deck homer to finalize the Padres' six-run first in which five of the runs were unearned. Prior to Tuesday, San Diego scored 14 first-inning runs all year.
The Mariners picked up in the first where they left off on Tuesday, when thumped the Padres 16-4.
Cano smoked a 90 mph Friedrich fastball for a three-run homer, his 16th of the season. Nori Aoki walked and Franklin Gutierrez singled before Cano's laser dented the right field seats.
It appeared Seattle would add to its 3-0 edge when two more walks and a Seager single loaded the bases with one out. However, Friedrich wiggled from further damage, popping up Sardinas and retiring Paxton looking.
NOTES: Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez (calf) was placed on the disabled list after reportedly getting hurt during an in-game celebration Tuesday. It is believed the injury isn't serious and that Hernandez (4-4) can pitch right around June 15, when he's eligible to return. ... LHP James Paxton was called up from Triple-A Tacoma. ... Padres co-owner Ron Fowler told the team's flagship radio station, the Mighty 1090, that the team was an "embarrassment" and "pathetic" during its recent 1-7 road trip. ... San Diego RHP Tyson Ross (strained shoulder) resumed playing catch but there's no timetable for his return. Ross, who hasn't pitched since Opening Day, won't return before the All-Star break. ... Padres 2B Cory Spangenberg (quad) underwent stem-cell treatment to accelerate his comeback. Spangenberg is out indefinitely.