SEATTLE (AP) — Noel Cuevas hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning among his three hits to lead the Colorado Rockies to a 5-1 win against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.
Carlos Gonzalez added a double and a run-scoring single for the Rockies, who have won five in a row.
Jean Segura homered for the Mariners, who came into the series having won nine of their last 10, but have now lost two in a row.
Seattle starter James Paxton (8-3) lost for the second time in three starts, allowing four runs and seven hits in seven innings. It was the third time in four starts Paxton allowed at least that many runs and hits.
Although Paxton was again overpowering at times, striking out nine, the Rockies were able to generate scoring chances.
Colorado broke the game open in the seventh. Pat Valaika drew a one-out walk, followed by Gerardo Parra’s single to set up the rookie Cuevas’ second career home run, and his first since May 14.
The Rockies had a chance to start the scoring in the third, loading the bases with no outs, including a bunt by Cuevas that died just on the fair side of the third-base line for an infield single. Paxton got out of the jam without giving up a run, getting a short pop up from DJ LeMahieu and then striking out the last two batters.
The Rockies took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a run-scoring single by Gonzalez. Segura’s seventh homer tied the score in the fifth.
Reliever Scott Oberg (2-0) earned the win by throwing a perfect sixth inning, striking out two.
Colorado starter Kyle Freeland left after five innings, allowing one run and five hits. It was Freeland’s shortest outing since going four innings on April 18 — he had pitched into the sixth inning or later in his previous 13 starts.
ROSTER MOVES
Rockies: Colorado recalled INF/OF Jordan Patterson and LHP Jerry Vasto from Triple-A Albuquerque, and C Tom Murphy — who returned to Denver on Friday to be with his wife, Lindsay, for the birth of their second child — was placed on the paternity list.
Mariners: Seattle recalled OF John Andreoli from Triple-A Tacoma and optioned RHP Nick Rumbelow to Tacoma. Andreoli started in left field Saturday and struck out twice before being replaced by Ben Gamel in the sixth.
TRAINERS ROOM
Rockies: LHP Mike Dunn was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to July 4 with AC joint inflammation. Colorado manager Bud Black said it was unclear how long Dunn might be out. … SS Trevor Story was scratched from the starting lineup with a bruised right foot.
Mariners: Mitch Haniger was back in the starting lineup at right field after missing two games with a bruised right knee. … 2B Dee Gordon was out of the starting lineup after hurting his hip on a play at the plate on Friday, but manager Scott Servais said it was just a day off and the injury wasn’t serious. Gordon entered the game as a pinch hitter in the ninth and popped out to left field.
UP NEXT
Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-1, 4.44 ERA) is making his second start after starting the year in the Colorado bullpen. In his first start on Tuesday against the Giants, Senzatela pitched seven scoreless innings.
Mariners: LHP Wade LeBlanc (4-0, 3.19) will make his 13th start of the season. He allowed one run on three hits in seven innings his last time out against the Angels.
