BALTIMORE (AP) — Kyle Seager homered and hit a pivotal two-run single in the eighth inning to back a fine pitching performance by James Paxton and help the Seattle Mariners beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 Tuesday night.
Paxton (7-2) struck out 10 over seven innings, allowing two runs and six hits. It was the sixth time this season he’s reached double figures in strikeouts. Alex Colome worked the eighth and Edwin Diaz got three outs for his big league-best 29th save. Seattle trailed 2-1 before rallying against the weary Baltimore bullpen.
Dee Gordon led off the eighth with a double and Jean Segura got his third hit of the game on a bunt down the third-base line. Orioles reliever Darren O’Day (0-2) hurt himself trying to field the ball and was replaced by Tanner Scott, who walked Mitch Haniger before Seager hit a liner to center.
The Mariners played without slugger Nelson Cruz, a late scratch with lower back tightness. He had played in 32 straight games.
In the fourth inning, Seager hit his 14th home run to offset a second-inning solo shot by Danny Valencia. It was still 1-1 in the sixth when Baltimore used three straight singles to load the bases for Manny Machado with no outs. The three-time All-Star bounced into a 4-6-3 double-play, breaking into a trot long before he reached first base. That would be the final scoring chance for the Orioles, who own the worst record in the majors (23-55).
Kevin Gausman gave up one run and five hits in six innings. He left with a 2-1 lead, but the bullpen gave it away, leaving Gausman winless in eight starts since May 11.
