Mariners 3, Indians 2
Franklin Gutierrez knocked home the winning run in the top of the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly and the visiting Seattle Mariners held on for a 3-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Monday to snap a five-game losing streak.
Indians closer Chris Perez (2-6) hit the first two batters of the inning and could not make a play on Trayvon Robinson’s sacrifice bunt. Perez, who had hit one batter coming into the game, struck out Ichiro Suzuki before Gutierrez lifted a fly ball to center field to score Miguel Olivo.
Suzuki had three hits, including his 35th career homer to lead off a game – ranking him seventh in major league history in that category.
Chance Ruffin (1-0) pitched the eighth for his first career win and Brandon League earned his 31st save.
Lou Marson had three hits and an RBI for the Indians, who have lost four straight and felt into a tie for second with Chicago in the AL Central - 5 1/2 games behind Detroit.
Seattle starter Jason Vargas gave up two unearned runs in seven innings. Mariners first baseman Mike Carp went 0-for-4, ending his 20-game hit streak.
Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was scratched from the lineup so he could join his wife following the birth of their child.