Mariners navigate past Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Dae-Ho Lee was 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday at Tropicana Field.
Lee, a first baseman, had a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning that proved to be the difference in the game.
A hustle play by Mariners left fielder Norichika Aoki foiled a Rays comeback.
With the Rays trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth and the bases loaded with two outs, Brad Miller singled to left to score Taylor Motter, but Aoki rushed the throw into home to keep Corey Dickerson at third. Mariners reliever Joaquin Benoit struck out Steve Pearce on a full count to in the inning and keep the Mariners ahead 5-4.
In the top of the ninth, third baseman Kyle Seager added an insurance run with a solo homer to right.
The Mariners (35-31) jumped on Rays starter Blake Snell in the top of the first with a two-out rally. Lee hit an RBI single to center that scored Franklin Gutierrez.
Nelson Cruz made it 2-0 when he scored on an error by Rays shortstop Tim Beckham. Chris Iannetta added an RBI single that sent Lee across the plate and gave the Mariners an early 3-0 lead.
Tampa Bay (31-33) scratched across two runs in the bottom of the third against Mariners starter James Paxton. Pearce had an RBI single and Logan Morrison drove in a run with a fielder's choice that scored Mikie Mahtook.
Lee had another big hit for the Mariners in the fourth, a two-run double that scored Guiterrez and Shawn O'Malley to make it 5-2.
The Rays cut the deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the fourth thanks in part to video review.
After Motter led off the inning with a double, he was called out after trying to advance to third on a flyout by Jeff Decker. However, replay showed Motter beat the tag and he was called safe. He scored on a sacrifice from catcher Curt Casali.
Paxton gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings. Steve Cishek retired the Rays in order in the ninth for his 15th save of the season.
Snell gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings.
NOTES: Mariners RHP Taijuan Walker appears ready to make his scheduled start on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox after a throwing sessions before Thursday's game. Walker was removed after 3 1/3 innings in his last start with tedinitis in a foot. ... Rays OF Steven Souza Jr. was placed on a 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip. Snell was recalled in a corresponding roster move. ... Rays 3B Evan Longoria was not in the starting lineup because of soreness in his left forearm. ... Mariners CF Leonys Martin had the day off after starting the past five games following his return from a DL stint for a sore hamstring.