Iwakuma, Montero lead Mariners to 3-1 win over Angels

SEATTLE — Even after three years, Jesus Montero continues to beat on Angels right-hander Jered Weaver like a dusty rug.

Montero hit a three-run homer Wednesday night that carried the Mariners to a 3-1 victory at Safeco Field — his fifth homer in 12 career at-bats against Weaver.

“It’s funny,” Montero said. “I hit him really good before. All of my thinking is to hit the ball to right field — middle to right field. He throws across (his body), so I tried to have my swing be inside out.”

That sounds like a good plan, but…Weaver hung a curveball, and Montero yanked it over the left-field wall with two outs and two runners aboard in the fourth inning.

“He got me out on my first at-bat with that same curveball,” Montero said. “I was looking for a fastball, and he threw me that slow one right there. The next one, I just sat on it. I saw it in the middle, and I hit it.”

It seemed to matter little that Montero, before Wednesday, had not faced Weaver since 2012.

“I don’t know,” Weaver said. “I’d like to pick his brain a little bit. You’re going to have guys like that in your career.”

Montero’s homer provided the Mariners with their only runs, but Hisashi Iwakuma (8-4) and the bullpen made it stand up. Iwaukma struck out nine in six innings before exiting because of tightness in his lower back.

“It came gradually,” he said. “Each inning, it started to get tighter and tighter. It’s still tight but, after a victory, it feels good.”

Iwakuma is expected to make his next start on schedule.

“It’s just minor,” he said. “I’ve been battling this situation for a while. It just got tight.”

The Mariners closed out their victory by getting one scoreless inning apiece from Danny Farquhar, Carson Smith and Tom Wilhelmsen.

Smith stranded runners at first and third with one out in the eighth by striking out Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout. Wilhelmsen pitched around a two-out double in the ninth for his 11th save.

The victory enabled the Mariners to salvage a 5-5 homestand and improve to 71-76 with 15 games remaining. They trail Houston by 6 1/2 games for the American League’s final wild-card berth.

The game grew testy in the fifth inning after Kyle Seager asked for, and was granted, time by umpire Brian O’Nora. After Seager and Weaver exchanged words, Weaver hit Seager with an 83-mph fastball.

“It started out pretty normal,” Seager said. “I was calling time out. It takes me a little while to get in the box. I had my hand up the whole time. He started to pitch, and I kept my hand up.

“I guess he didn’t particularly care for it.”

Weaver’s version: “It’s not when he’s ready. It’s when we’re both ready. When you’ve got both your feet in there, it means you’re ready to go.”

O’Nora immediately ejected Weaver and escorted Seager toward first. Seager never made a move toward the mound — neither bench made much of a move — but there were more words. Hard words.

Weaver (7-11) gave up three runs and six hits in his 4 2/3 innings.

As for Montero’s star turn, it came after singles by Nelson Cruz and Seth Smith put runners at first and second with two outs in the fourth. Cruz’s single was his 166th hit of the season, which matched a career high.

Montero followed with a no-doubt drive to left.

The Angels got their only run on Murphy’s leadoff homer in the sixth.

The Mariners survived two base-running mistakes by rookie Ketel Marte. The first came after his one-out single in the third inning.

Marte appeared to steal second and take third when hit by the throw from catcher Carlos Perez — as the ball caromed into the outfield.

But Marte, as he scrambled to his feet, never actually touched second. The Angels ran an appeal play before the next pitch. And Marte was out.

The other mistake came in the eighth after Marte led off with a single. He broke for second on Seager’s sharp grounder to first. C.J. Cron touched first for one out and threw to second for what was no longer a force.

Marte beat the throw easily but came off the base in a pop-up slide while shortstop Erick Aybar kept the tag applied. When umpire Kerwin Danley initially called Marte safe, the Angels challenged. A replay reversed the call.

“Marte will be just fine,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “Part of the growing pains is they don’t have replays at the Triple-A level. You can pop up. It’s OK. Here, you can’t use the pop-up slide.

“Kids are going to bring a lot of excitement. And they’re going to bring some headaches. After this is over, I’m going to have some ice cream and a couple of Tylenol.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

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.