Mariners 7, Rays 6 (10 innings)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- After propelling the Seattle Mariners back into the lead Tuesday with an eight-inning grand slam, third baseman Kyle Seager finished off the Tampa Bay Rays in the 10th inning with a solo homer off closer Brad Boxberger to help Seattle capture a 7-6 victory.
Mariners left-hander Joe Beimel pitched a perfect 10th to secure the win while the Rays suffered their fourth straight setback.
Facing a 3-2 deficit in the eighth inning, Seager -- who had earlier extended his hitting streak to 14 straight games with an infield single -- smacked the grand slam off Rays reliever Jake McGee to put Seattle ahead 6-3. Seager has 17 hits in his last 44 at-bats during the streak.
Mariners closer Fernando Rodney, though, allowed the Rays back into the game with consecutive singles by David DeJesus and Brandon Guyer before he hit Joey Butler to load the bases. Evan Longoria doubled off the top of the wall in center to score two runs.
After a pop-out to first by Logan Forsythe and an intentional walk issued to pinch-hitter Asdrubral Cabrera, it appeared the Mariners would escape with a comeback victory when Jake Elmore hit a grounder to Seager, who threw over to second baseman Robinson Cano to start a potential double play. Cano's throw to first, though, was up the line, allowing Butler to score and tie the game.
Seattle center fielder Austin Jackson, who was activated off the disabled list earlier in the day, began the game with a line-drive single off Tampa Bay right-hander Alex Colome. He stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw to center before then scoring on a single by right fielder Seth Smith, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
A hard-hit ball got past Rays shortstop Tim Beckham to put runners on the corners, and after a popout, a slow roller toward third by Seager plated Smith. On the play, Smith beat the throw home by Colome and slid under the tag by Rays catcher Rene Rivera.
The Mariners were on the verge of sending Colome to the showers when first baseman Logan Morrison walked, but catcher Welington Castillo grounded into an inning-ending double play. Colome needed 38 pitches to escape the first frame with just two runs allowed.
The Rays then plated two of their own when they loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning to set up a two-run single by left fielder Jake Elmore.
In all, the first inning took 45 minutes to complete.
Elmore registered his third RBI of the game with a run-scoring single in the third that plated Beckham.
Mariners starter J.A. Happ allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings.
NOTES: Rays 3B Evan Longoria singled in the fifth inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. ... According to Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, OF Desmond Jennings (knee) made some throws and took some swings before Tuesday's game. However, there is no timetable for Jennings to begin a rehab assignment. ... Rays LHP Matt Moore (Tommy John surgery) will throw in a second extended spring training game Thursday. ... Tampa Bay SS Asdrubal Cabrera (groin) was available, but Cash said Friday is more realistic for his return. ... Tampa Bay OF Steven Souza (wrist) remained out but hopes to avoid the disabled list. ... Seattle's Nelson Cruz leads the All-Star balloting for American League designated hitters in the first results released Tuesday.