Gamel's RBI pushes Mariners past Tigers
DETROIT -- Ben Gamel smacked a go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth, lifting the Seattle Mariners to a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.
Gamel, who was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, knocked in Kyle Seager from second base. Seager, who made his first start in five games after recovering from a sore hip, hit a one-out double off reliever Francisco Rodriguez (1-2). Seager knocked in Seattle's other run with a single in the sixth.
Reliever Tony Zych (1-0) recorded his second major-league win with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Edwin Diaz collected his third save.
Seattle starter Hisashi Iwakuma allowed one unearned run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The game was delayed 45 minutes by rain.
Tyler Collins had three of Detroit's four hits and scored the Tigeers' lone run. The Mariners (10-13) took two of three from the Tigers (11-10) in the series.
Detroit starter Justin Verlander bounced back from two subpar outings and gave up just an unearned run in seven innings. He allowed six hits and struck out eight while taking a no-decison.
Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias was activated from the 7-day concussion list and went 0-for-3.
A miscommunication between center fielder Collins and right fielder Jim Adduci allowed Seattle to break the scoreless deadlock in the sixth. With one out, Nelson Cruz lofted a short fly ball that Adduci tracked down, only to have the ball jarred loose when Collins collided with him.
Adduci then tried to roll the ball from his prone position to cutoff man Ian Kinsler, which allowed Cruz to reach second. The play was scored an error on Collins.
Seager then followed with a single to center, plating Cruz.
The Tigers tied it in the bottom of the inning with an unearned run of their own. Collins led off with a double and one out later, Victor Martinez hit a bouncer. Second baseman Robinson Cano, playing in shallow right in a defensive shift, moved to his right but the ball bounced off his glove as Collins scored.
NOTES: Mariners ace RHP Felix Hernandez returned to Seattle on Thursday to be examined by team doctors. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation. ... Detroit optioned LHP Kyle Ryan to Triple-A Toledo to make room for SS Jose Iglesias, who was activated from the 7-day disabled list on Thursday. Ryan was 0-0 with a 7.94 ERA in eight appearances as a spot reliever. ... Seattle RHP Steve Cishek worked an inning of scoreless relief for Double-A Arkansas on Wednesday. On the 10-day DL with a hip injury, Cishek will make at least one more minor-league appearance but could be activated this weekend. ... The Tigers will face RHP Mike Pelfrey in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Detroit cut Pelfrey loose at the end of spring training with $8 million remaining on his contract.