Mariners Lose Fifth Straight, Indians Win 4-2

It was a tough night again for the Mariners offense. A quick lead of 1-0 would not last, and after the Indians took a 2-1 lead they never gave it back. Mike Leake had a solid outing for the M’s, a quality start in fact, but the Seattle offense just couldn’t do enough to get him the win. Here’s how it happened…

Both teams went down without a run crossing in the first inning. In the second, the M’s got two on in front of catcher Tom Murphy. A well placed base hit scored Tim Beckham from second. 1-0 M’s.

In the fourth, Cleveland got on the board with some timely hitting, and the M’s struggling to turn a double play. Jason Kipnis scored on Carlos Santana’s RBI double. Tied 1-1.

Then the Indians wasted no time, with Hanley Ramirez picking up an RBI single. 2-1 Indians.

The M’s and Indians stayed quiet until the top of the seventh. Cleveland pushed their first run in the seventh frame when Mike Freeman dropped in a single. 3-1 Cleveland.

Freeman was lifted for a pinch runner, who would score on the next hit. Leonys Martin’s RBI double made it 4-1 Indians.

The Mariners were down to their final four outs, and Jay Bruce finally hit a home run to help the M’s get just a touch closer. 4-2 Cleveland.

Unfortunately for Seattle, Bruce’s dinger was the last run they would score. Cleveland wins 4-2 and wins the series. Game three of the set is tomorrow.

Winning Pitcher, (2-0) Shane Bieber: 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 K, 3 BB

Losing Pitcher, (2-1) Mike Leake: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 K, 0 BB

Save, (6) Brad Hand: 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB

Notes:

• Jay Bruce’s eighth inning HR kept the M’s streak of consecutive games with a home run to start a season alive. Seattle has hit a homer in 20 straight games to start the year.
• This is the third loss for a Seattle starter on the home-stand; the Mariner starters weren’t charged with a loss before this five game losing streak.
• The loss to Cleveland means Seattle has lost back-to-back series for the first time this year. The Mariners will look to avoid their second straight sweep Wednesday afternoon.
• Seattle is now on a five game losing streak. Before this home-stand, the M’s hadn’t lost multiple games in a row.

The Mariners and Indians wrap up their series on Wednesday on Freedom 970. Pregame coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. with first pitch at 3:40 p.m.

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