Mariners hit three home runs, beat Angels 9-4

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Just when Seattle Mariners lefty Wade Miley appeared headed for another quick and disappointing exit Sunday, the tumblers finally clicked into place.

Miley rebounded from a three-run first inning by pitching into the eighth with little further damage before the bullpen closed out a 9-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium.

“I just tried to stop thinking a little bit,” he said. “Just try to get it going. … I was finally able to establish something, get in a rhythm and go.”

The victory pulled the Mariners back to .500 at 9-9 and completed a 6-3 road trip that included 2-1 series victories at New York and Cleveland in addition to Anaheim.

“You go on the road, and you win every series,” third baseman Kyle Seager said, “that’s pretty good. We played some pretty good teams as well. It was definitely a pretty good road trip.

“Everybody is looking forward to getting home.”

Seager’s three-run homer in a four-run first inning provided Miley (1-2) with a quick cushion in the first inning, but Miley nearly gave it all back in the bottom of the inning.

The Mariners regained control by knocking out LA starter Matt Shoemaker (1-3) in a three-run fourth inning, which included a two-run homer from Leonys Martin.

By then Miley was rolling. He permitted just two hits after the first inning before yielding a one-out homer to Yunel Escobar in the eighth. Nick Vincent replaced Miley at that point and got the final five outs.

Seth Smith’s two-run homer in the ninth meant the Mariners didn’t need closer Steve Cishek, who had been warming up. Vincent got his second career save — his first since June 12, 2013 while pitching for San Diego.

“It was fun,” manager Scott Servais said. “We played really good baseball (on this road trip). This is kind of what we envisioned coming out of camp.”

Nori Aoki opened the game with a walk and went to third on Smith’s single. Robinson Cano flied out, but Nelson Cruz grounded an RBI single to short, and Smith went to third on a throwing error by Andrelton Simmons.

Shoemaker struck out Adam Lind, but Seager rocked a 2-0 pitch into the right-field seats for a three-run homer.

“I felt I put much better swings on the ball,” said Seager, who took extra pre-game work with hitting coach Edgar Martinez in an effort to break out from his .127 average.

“I was able to control my body a lot better today. I got a lot of work in with Edgar. We saw some stuff on film. I was able to clean everything up a little bit.”

Up four runs, Miley responded by letting the Angels back into the game despite retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the inning.

Mike Trout pulled a two-out single through the left side, and Albert Pujols followed by breaking a career-worst 0-for-26 drought with a 448-foot bomb to left for a two-run homer.

Miley then walked Kole Calhoun, who scored on Geovany Soto’s line-drive double into the right-center gap. With the lead down to one, Miley retired Simmons on a grounder to short.

“I wasn’t thinking, ‘Here we go again,’ by any means,” said Miley who entered with a 8.04 ERA. “I was just like, ‘I’ve got to execute pitches.’ When I’ve got a guy with two strikes, I’ve got to make a better pitch.

“I can’t throw a fastball down the middle and not expect a guy like Pujols to make you pay. I was getting frustrated with myself for just not executing.”

The Mariners pushed the lead back to four runs in the fourth inning.

“We played (on this road trip) like we should have been playing,” Seager said. “I think there’s still more in the tank. Today, we did it offensively, but this is a team that should be able to win a lot of different ways.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

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

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck 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)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

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