CLEVELAND — They’ve found something. Maybe even a repeatable formula.
The Mariners boasted a season-high nine extra-base hits, including home runs by JP Crawford, Luke Raley and Dylan Moore, and the Mariners earned a narrow 8-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in a key series between two first-place teams at Progressive Field.
The Mariners (44-31) reached a season high of over .500 with 13 games and improved to 34-5 when they scored at least four runs.
Andres Muñoz came in and rescued the Mariners from a tight bases-loaded situation in the eighth inning, then closed the bag in the ninth inning for his third five-out save of the season and his 13th overall.
Crawford reached base four times and scored three runs, Mitch Garver had two doubles and two RBIs, and Dylan and the Mariners offense began to heat up a muggy night in Cleveland.
Crawford hit a two-run blast that barely cleared the right-center field wall and gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead in the third inning.
The Mariners sent nine batters to the plate in the third inning, scoring four runs on four hits and two walks and chasing Cleveland starter Triston McKenzie with one out.
Cal Raleigh narrowly missed a home run by McKenzie – a 421-footer off the top of the wall in center – for an RBI double.
Raley, an Ohio native, had a sensational game in his return home, catching the ball with flying colors, leaping over the free throw line and landing on the hard rubber floor in front of the bleachers to catch a pop foul ball from Will Brennan for the final out of the fourth inning.
Raley followed with a home run to left outfield in the fifth inning. It was his eighth home run of the season.
Raley was then taken out of the game in the ninth inning by umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.
Moore hit a 402-foot home run with the first pitch of the sixth inning, extending the Mariners’ lead to 7-1.
Ty France was responsible for three of the Mariners’ seven walks in his first game back from the injured list.
The Guardians scored two runs in the sixth and one each in the seventh and eighth innings.
Ryne Stanek left two runners on base in the seventh inning and ended the inning with a nasty splitter and a strikeout by David Fry.
Bryce Miller got off to another strong start, earning his first road win since his first road start on April 6 at Milwaukee. The 25-year-old right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits (all singles) with two walks and two strikeouts.
This story will be updated.
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