Chavez’s home run boosts M’s

SEATTLE — You expect pop from a designated hitter, don’t you?

Endy Chavez hit his first home run in more than a year Friday night in helping the Mariners open their weekend series against Cleveland with a 3-2 victory at Safeco Field.

“When I hit it,” Chavez said, “I thought it was going to hit the fence. It was a line drive. From the beginning, I was running hard to make sure I got to second.

“Before I got to first base, I saw the ball was in the stands. I thought, `OK, I’ll take it.’”

Add Chavez’s blast — it was a no-doubter — to a pair of two-out RBI singles from Kyle Seager and Brad Miller, along with four staunch innings from the bullpen…and then a post-game fireworks show.

It was just enough to ensure a good night.

The Mariners won for the sixth time in seven games and improved to 43-37. They scored all three runs against Indians starter Trevor Bauer (2-4), who exited after Chavez’s one-out homer in the the seventh inning.

“How about Endy?” manager Lloyd McClendon chuckled. “Pretty good swing.”

Chris Young (7-4) lasted just five innings, while throwing 91 pitches, but he limited the Indians to one run and four hits. The Mariners used five relievers over the final four innings.

“It’s a good-hitting club,” Young said. “They made me work. I wasn’t as sharp and I’d like to be, and I probably got a little lucky tonight. They hit some balls hard but right at guys.

“Then the bullpen came in and did a phenomenal job.”

Fernando Rodney closed out the victory for his 22nd save in 24 chances. The relief corps, which leads the American League in earned run average, has allowed just 20 earned runs in its last 108 2/3 innings.

Rodney gave up one run in the ninth before ending the game and firing his pantomime arrow into the air.

“Our pitching has been dominant,” first baseman Logan Morrison said. “Our defense has been really good, too. As long as we keep those two things going, you always have a chance to win games.”

The Mariners finished with 11 hits, including three more by Seager, who raised his average to .274. Michael Saunders was 2-for-4 in his first game back after missing more than two weeks because of a sore shoulder.

Joe Beimel started the bullpen relay when he inherited a 2-1 lead from Young to start the sixth and worked a one-two-three inning. Danny Farquhar put the tying run on base in the seventh with a one-out walk to Nick Swisher.

With two outs, Michael Bourn hit a grounder to first that Morrison booted — but Swisher tried for third, and Morrison recovered in time to throw him out.

“I knew I had to hurry,” Morrison said. “I don’t know if I was going to get (Bourn) even if I’d fielded it clean. He’s really fast. I couldn’t really get a hop that I wanted, and it hit off my glove.

“I’m lucky I did kick it or it would have been behind me. I saw Swish running, so I just flipped it to Seag.”

Chavez’s homer came with one out in the bottom of the inning — a lofted drive to right that easily cleared the wall for a 3-1 lead. It was Chavez’s first homer in 266 plate appearances dating to May 30, 2013 at San Diego.

“I was just trying to have an aggressive swing,” he said. “That time, I was looking for something in. He was, pretty much, throwing in to me. He threw a slider that I could handle.

“I put a pretty good swing on it, and the ball just got out.”

Yoervis Medina got two outs in the eighth and was ahead 0-2 on Carlos Santana before issuing a walk. That brought a change to Charlie Furbush for a left-on-left matchup against Jason Kipnis.

A double put runners at second and third, but Furbush stranded both runners when Lonnie Chisenhall grounded to second.

The Mariners had a chance to extend their lead in the eighth when singles by Seager and Morrison put runners at first and third with no outs. Instead, they squandered the chance: two pop-ups and a routine fly ball.

Turned out, it didn’t matter.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.