Ray, big bats lift Mariners over Rangers
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Associated Press
SEATTLE — Robbie Ray pitched six strong innings to win his home debut for Seattle, Eugenio Suárez hit a three-run home run in the first, and the Mariners beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 on Tuesday night.
Ray, the reigning 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner, made his first two starts on the road and finally pitched in front of his new home crowd at T-Mobile Park after signing a $115 million, five-year contract.
Sticking mainly to his four-seam fastball and slider, Ray (2-1) allowed two runs and four hits, and struck out four. Marcus Semien had a sacrifice fly in the third and a two-out double in the fifth to cut the lead to 4-2.
Ray’s previous start was hampered by bad weather in Chicago, when he allowed six runs, 10 hits and three home runs. in 6 1/3 innings
Ray got early support from Suárez, who acquired by Seattle along with outfielder Jesse Winker from Cincinnati during spring training.
Suárez took advantage of first-inning struggles by Texas starter Jon Gray (0-1), who was returning from the injured list.
Gray hit Ty France and walked Winker. Ahead in the count 0-2, Gray missed his spot on the chilly night and Suárez hit his third homer this season.
Jarred Kelenic hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the second off the right-field foul pole. Abraham Toro hit his first homer, a two-run drive in the seventh.
Gray, who had been sidelined by a blister on his right middle finger, gave up four runs and three hits in five innings.
Drew Steckenrider, Paul Sewald and Diego Castillo finished the six-hitter, retiring eight of the final of 10 batters around a pair of singles. Seattle’s bullpen came into the game owning the lowest opponent batting average at .164.
Note
Seattle placed C Luis Torrens on the COVID-19 injured list. Torrens is the second Seattle player to land on the virus list in recent days. OF Mitch Hangier was placed on the COVID-19 list on Saturday after he tested positive. In four games, Torrens was 3 for 13, all singles. Seattle selected the contract of INF Mike Ford from Triple-A Tacoma.
