SEATTLE — Pinch-hitter Manuel MargotAs the ninth inning wore on, a three-run go-ahead homer was hit. Tampa Bay RaysThey rallied together to defeat the scuffling Seattle MarinersThey won their seventh consecutive road victory at 8-7 on Friday night.
Mariners pinch-hitter Jarred KelenicSeattle won the eighth with a run and a homer. But the Rays came on as a reliever Paul Sewald(0-1) for a pair singles one-out from Randy ArozarenaAnd Brandon LoweIn the ninth. Margot was then presented with his first homer of season, a drive to the left-center. This is the seventh time Sewald has allowed Margot to hit a homer in seven games.
Three deficits were overcome by the Rays, who won their sixth season-ending win and 52nd since 2021.
Margot scored a huge hit Wednesday in an upset victory against Oakland. Reporters and teammates joked that Margot’s new nickname was “Manny Margot Ahead”.
Margot spoke through a translator and said, “I think it is the preparation.” With a team such as this, you never know when you will play. You can’t play if you don’t begin.
Ty FranceIn the ninth, the Mariners scored one run but couldn’t catch Rays in their fourth straight loss to the AL East champions. Brooks RaleyHe was awarded his third save.
Seattle has lost five consecutive games and nine of 10. Tampa Bay has won five consecutive games and nine of 10.
“We feel like we are a good team. Kevin Cash, Rays manager, said that you like winning tight ballgames. “We’ve lost many one-run ballgames at this park in the past, so we hope it’s an evening out.”
Arozarena had four hits and scored twice. She also drove in a run. Yandy DiazHe had two hits, an RBI and a run for the Rays.
Kelenic, who had been benched against left-handed starters twice in succession, was forced to enter the eighth reliever. Ryan Thompson(2-1), and he hit his third homerun of the season Julio Rodriguez aboard. Kelenic went 1 for 19 when he came into the at bat.
Eugenio Suárez also homered for the Mariners. Adam Frazier doubled and Suárez hit his fifth home run for a quick 2-0 lead against opener Matt WislerIn the first innings. Diaz came in to save the day. Wander FrancoTampa Bay moved up to 3-2 after Arozarena scored consecutive runs with singles up the middle.
Seattle regained the lead with Abraham Toro’s sacrifice fly and a run scoring single Dylan MooreThe fourth. Arozarena answered with a double and scored on Suárez’s throwing error at third base to tie it 4-all in the fifth against starter Logan GilbertIn April, he was named the AL pitcher-of-the-month. Gilbert struck out six batters, but gave up seven runs and three walks. This was in an inconsistent start that saw 99 pitches and only 59% for strikes.
Cash stated that “we were able to drive him pitch count up.” Cash said that he still went deeper than I thought he would, despite the fact that he had more pitches. However, our guys persevered.”
Tampa Bay took advantage of unsteady reliever Andrés Muñoz in the seventh. He walked Franco to begin the inning and gave up an RBI to Arozarena. Lowe then pitched to load the bases. Harold RamirezFranco scored Franco, grounded out
Ramirez also made a diving catch at left field in the 4th to save 2 runs. In the 7th, the Rays got double play with two runners on.
Scott Servais, Mariners manager, said that “this was one of our best games offensively but it’s been a struggle getting on the right side these.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: After being absent due to COVID-19 precautions, Stan Boroski, the Bullpen coach, and Paul Hoover, the field coordinator boarded Friday’s plane and will return to Seattle Saturday. … C Francisco Mejía returned to the lineup after being activated from the COVID-19 injured list Thursday. He had three hits, including one double.
Mariners in C Tom MurphyHe was brought back to the lineup on Thursday after suffering a stiff neck. But he had to leave after fracturing his shoulder trying to make a tag at plate in the fifth. He was replaced by Luis Torrens. RHP Sergio RomoRomo (shoulder inflammation), threw a 25-pitch simulated game against Ichiro Suzuki, and Servais stated that Romo was ready to return. Servais didn’t know if Romo (who was injured April 13) would need a rehab session before he could return the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Rays Drew Rasmussen(2-1, 3.13 ERA), has won his two previous starts, including six innings of shutout in the 3-2 win over Seattle on April 27,
Mariners LHP Marco Gonzales(1-3, 4.055) is looking to end a 2-game skid that started April 27 with a loss against Rasmussen.