Mariners blow 8-run lead, rally for 11-10 win over Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Jay Bruce delivered a tiebreaking pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth, and the Seattle Mariners blew a late eight-run lead before rallying for an 11-10 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.
Ryon Healy homered twice and drove in five runs, and Omar Narvaez added a three-run shot as the Mariners snapped a six-game skid even after wasting a 10-2 lead heading to the bottom of the seventh.
David Fletcher hit a tying homer leading off the eighth after the Angels put up seven runs in the seventh.
But the Mariners rallied against Angels closer Cody Allen (0-1) for their ninth win in 10 road games this season.
Mitch Haniger got a one-out single and scored on a single to left through the Angels’ defensive shift by Bruce, who went 1 for 18 on Seattle’s winless six-game homestand.
Kole Calhoun hit a two-run homer and Andrelton Simmons had three hits while driving in two runs for the Angels, who lost their fourth straight in heartbreaking fashion. Los Angeles’ six-game home winning streak also ended, interrupting the Halos’ best start to a season at home since 1982.
Albert Pujols also drove in two runs, giving him 1,991 career RBIs. He is one RBI behind Babe Ruth for fifth place in baseball history.
Right after the Mariners scored three runs while batting around in the seventh, the Angels scored seven runs on seven hits while sending 11 men to the plate in the bottom half.
The Mariners loaded the bases with one out in the eighth, but couldn’t score. Fletcher then tied it with the second homer of his big league career on the second pitch by Anthony Swarzak (2-0), who eventually struck out Brian Goodwin with two Angels in scoring position to keep it tied.
Roenis Elias pitched the ninth for his third save.
Healy hit a three-run homer in the second and a two-run shot in the sixth for the Mariners in their sixth consecutive road win.
Mike Trout went 1 for 5 in his fourth straight game as the Angels’ designated hitter while returning to full health from a groin injury.
Felix Hernandez gave up four runs while pitching into the seventh inning, but his bullpen couldn’t hang on to just his sixth victory at Angel Stadium in 28 career starts. That’s the most starts ever made by a visiting pitcher in Anaheim, passing Bert Blyleven.
Chris Stratton yielded seven hits and six runs in five-plus innings of another rough start for the Angels.
Narvaez connected in the seventh off reliever Jake Jewell to put the Mariners up 10-2, but the Angels dramatically rallied moments later.
After Peter Bourjos‘ RBI double chased Hernandez, Calhoun delivered a two-run shot. Run-scoring hits from Simmons, Pujols and Tommy La Stella trimmed the lead to 10-9.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: Shohei Ohtani will join his teammates for the first time in batting practice before Friday’s game. Ohtani has been hitting on the field against a pitching machine for a week. The AL Rookie of the Year is likely to face live pitching next week.
UP NEXT
Marco Gonzales (4-0, 3.19 ERA) looks to continue his strong start to the season for Seattle. The Angels counter with Felix Pena (0-1, 3.65), who hasn’t gone five innings in a start this season.
