Thursday, April 21, 2011

Ichiro lends hand as Mariners rout Tigers

Five-finger discount: Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki steals second during the fourth inning of a game against the Tigers on Tuesday in Seattle. The Mariners won 13-3. KYODO

SEATTLE — Doug Fister got more run support from his offense in one inning than he had in three previous starts this season.

He didn't waste it, either.

Fister struck out a career-high seven in 6? innings, and the light-hitting Seattle Mariners capitalized on 11 walks allowed by Detroit, routing the Tigers 13-3 on Tuesday night.

Getting some run support probably felt quite foreign to Fister. Before this start, Seattle had scored three runs for the right-hander this season, only two while he was in the game.

But the Mariners scored four times in the first against the Tigers, and staked Fister to a 6-1 lead by the fifth inning. They finished with a season-high 15 hits.

"He's thrown the ball well all year," Seattle manager Eric Wedge said. "It was good we could jump out early and he did a great job of keeping the same mind-set you have to have when you go out there and you are a starting pitcher in that type of game."

Seattle backed Fister with some rare clutch hitting and the top of its batting order — Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins — combined to go 7-for-9 and five RBIs. Ichiro finished 4-for-5 with three runs scored.

Figgins got his first hit all season with a runner in scoring position, driving in Ichiro in the fourth. Seattle added five runs in the seventh off Detroit's bullpen, only after reliever Jamey Wright got a key double play to end the top of the seventh and keep the Mariners ahead 6-2.

"That felt good. Regardless of what you do (individually) it's good to put up some crooked numbers," Seattle shortstop Brendan Ryan said. "It's nice to play with a lead for a change."

Orioles 11, Twins 0

In Baltimore, Matt Wieters drove in four runs, Vladimir Guerrero hit a three-run homer, and the Orioles snapped an eight-game losing streak by defeating Carl Pavano and the Twins.

Royals 5, Indians 4

In Kansas City, Alex Gordon had two hits, stretching his hitting streak to 13 games, to lead Kansas City to a win over Cleveland in a clash between the unlikely pacesetters in the American League Central division.

Angels 15, Rangers 4

In Arlington, Texas, rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo homered and drove in four runs to help power Los Angeles to a big win over Texas.

Blue Jays 6, Yankees 5 (10)

In Toronto, Travis Snider doubled home the winning run in the 10th inning to lift the Blue Jays over New York.

Rays 2, White Sox 1

In St. Petersburg, Fla., James Shields struck out nine batters to lead Tampa Bay over Chicago, and to its seventh win in eight games.

Athletics 5, Red Sox 0

In Oakland, Brett Anderson struck out eight and outdueled usual A's nemesis John Lackey for his first victory of the season.

David DeJesus got Oakland on the board with a first-inning RBI groundout, then Hideki Matsui added a two-run double and Daric Barton and Kurt Suzuki each hit RBI singles in a four-run eighth. Matsui finished 1-for-4.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Brewers 9, Phillies 0

In Philadelphia, Randy Wolf pitched six crisp innings, Ryan Braun and Casey McGehee homered and the Brewers beat Roy Halladay and the Phillies.

Marlins 6, Pirates 0

In Miami, Josh Johnson allowed two hits in seven innings and drove in the first two runs.

Diamondbacks 5, Reds 4

In Cincinnati, Ryan Roberts made the starting lineup because of an injury and hit two of Arizona's four homers off Sam LeCure.

Astros 6, Mets 1

In New York, Wandy Rodriguez found his form against the punchless Mets, pitching seven sharp innings to lead the Astros to a victory.

Giants 6, Rockies 3

In Denver, starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez gave up two hits over 6? innings one night after fellow San Francisco hurler Tim Lincecum flirted with a no-hitter and the Giants beat Colorado, spoiling Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez's return from the disabled list.

Braves 10, Dodgers 1

In Los Angeles, pitcher Brandon Beachy yielded just two hits over six scoreless innings to record his first career victory in the major leagues.

The right-hander came in with a 5.19 ERA over his three previous outings this season, including a 6-5 loss on Thursday against Florida at Turner Field.

Dodgers starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (2-2) allowed two runs gave up five hits over 6? innings in the losing effort.

Nationals at Cardinals — ppd.

Padres at Cubs — ppd.


View the original article here

No comments:

Post a Comment